Role Orientation: Therapist / Behavioral Health Clinician (LPCC/LISW/etc.)

1. Purpose of the Role

Therapists provide trauma-informed, root-cause-aware mental health treatment. They help clients understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and work toward healing and functional change using evidence-based therapies in coordination with NPs, labs, and RHC services.

2. Primary Duties

• Conduct intake/diagnostic assessments and ongoing therapy sessions (telehealth and/or in-person).
• Develop, implement, and regularly update treatment plans with client input.
• Provide individual, family, or group therapy using appropriate modalities (e.g., CBT, EMDR, DBT skills, etc.).
• Screen for and respond appropriately to safety concerns (suicidality, self-harm, harm to others, abuse/neglect).
• Collaborate with NPs, case managers, and field techs on integrated care.
• Document all sessions and contacts in the EHR within required timeframes.
• Use supervision and consultation for high-risk or complex cases.
• Participate in ongoing training and quality initiatives.

3. Key Systems & Tools

• EHR for notes, treatment plans, messaging
• Telehealth platform(s)
• Screening tools and rating scales (PHQ-9, GAD-7, etc.)
• Internal communication tools (secure messaging, email, task systems)

4. Supervision & Chain of Command

• Clinical oversight: Clinical Director / designated clinical supervisor
• Operational issues (scheduling, workload, telehealth logistics): supervisor & COO/site lead
• RHC questions (if tied to RHC program): RHC lead / billing/operations contact

You are expected to consult when:

• Risk is elevated or unclear
• Ethics, boundaries, or legal questions arise
• You feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of next steps

5. Scope & Boundaries

You can:

• Provide therapy within your license and training.
• Diagnose and create treatment plans (as allowed by license and payer).
• Coordinate care with NPs and other providers.

You must not:

• Practice outside your scope (e.g., prescribing meds, interpreting labs unless trained/licensed to do so clinically).
• Provide ongoing “covert” services to people who are actually outside our policies (e.g., out-of-state clients without licensure).
• Ignore or under-document serious risk or critical incidents.

6. RHC & Behavioral Health Connection

• If you are licensed in Ohio, many of your therapy services may be billed through the RHC.
• You are still a behavioral health clinician, but your work may sit under the RHC umbrella for billing and compliance.
• You must follow:
  • BH clinical standards and
  • Relevant RHC policies (telehealth emergency procedure, documentation, etc.).

7. Success in This Role Looks Like

• Clients experience therapy as safe, collaborative, and effective.
• Treatment plans are active, meaningful, and linked to session notes.
• Risk is identified early, managed appropriately, and documented clearly.
• You participate actively in supervision and consult when needed.
• You understand how your therapy work ties into clients’ labs, NP care, and RHC processes.