Family Mental Health Counselor

Organization Overview:

Sakhi for South Asian Survivors exists to represent the South Asian and Indo Caribbean diaspora in a survivor-led movement for gender-justice and to honor the collective and inherent power of all survivors of violence. Sakhi is committed to serving survivors through a combination of efforts including—but not limited to—direct services, advocacy and organizing, technical assistance, and community outreach.

Sakhi serves survivors from the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean diaspora who trace their backgrounds to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Africa. Members of our community come from diverse backgrounds including age range, gender, religion, ethnic origin, economic and educational background, language spoken, and immigration status. We work to represent, inform, actively engage, and mobilize the South Asian & Indo-Caribbean communities in an intersectional, intergenerational survivor-led movement for gender justice.

At Sakhi we offer a unique work environment that is collaborative, fun, and committed to social justice. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, persons of color, and bilingual/bicultural applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. At Sakhi, we have a clear vision: To be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. Sakhi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

About this role:

We are looking for a full-time, Family Mental Health Counselor within Sakhi’s program: The Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation South Asian Safe Families Initiative. The short-term goal of the program is to strengthen the bonds between primary caregivers, children and families with the long-term aim of reducing future generational cycles of violence through culturally informed research and service provision. The Family Mental Health Counselor will report to the Associate Director of Counseling and will work with South Asian & Indo-Caribbean survivors of gender-based violence. The ideal candidate will:

• Support in the development of family mental health services at Sakhi and further development of the South Asian Safe Families Initiative;

• Identify and share new effective approaches to disrupting intergenerational cycles of violence in South Asian & Indo-Caribbean immigrant families nationally and globally;

• Collaborate with a partner researcher to develop psychoeducational programs for Sakhi caregivers, modify evidence-based models for a South Asian cultural context, modify materials (e.g. manuals), and implement survivor-centered evaluation practices of our short and long-term goals;

• Provide culturally-appropriate, trauma-informed, holistic counseling services to families who have experienced gender-based violence and/or intergenerational trauma;

• Encourage limited English proficient survivors to discuss emotions and experiences in a language most comfortable for them;

• Provide psychoeducation to survivors on the impact of trauma and common reactions to abuse and violence;

• Help survivors understand power and control dynamics and cycles of violence within their relationships, and create safety plans as needed for emotional and physical health;

• Develop therapeutic processes with survivors to help define goals, gain insight, and plans for life after therapy;

• Help survivors learn tools to manage the intensity of their trauma reactions;

• Examine issues including substance abuse, aging, bullying, anger management, careers, depression, relationships, LGBTQ issues, self-image, stress and suicide;

• Modify treatment activities and approaches as needed in order to comply with changes in clients' status;

• Advocate for survivors to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations;

• Gather information about community mental health needs and resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy;

• Refer survivors to community resources or specialists as necessary;

• Collaborate with other Sakhi staff for referrals and to streamline survivor services and programs;

• Evaluate the effectiveness of family counseling programs and survivors' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives;

• Plan, organize and lead structured workshops, series and/or support groups of counseling for survivors;

• Learn about new developments in their field by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, and establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies;

• Maintain confidentiality of survivor experiences and records at all times.

Grant Management and Development

• Maintain records of all survivor related work/activities through efficient data collection and notetaking;

• Produce accurate reports for grant reporting;

• Ensure routine and comprehensive program evaluation;

• Work closely with the Development, Grants, and Operations teams to create work plans, attend site visits, and offer pertinent information as needed.

Outreach, Training, and Advocacy

• Break the stigma around mental health while raising awareness of domestic and sexual violence in the local South Asian & Indo-Caribbean community;

• Advocate for equal access for survivors of gender-based violence to various public services agencies including health, governmental, and judicial;

• Develop ongoing referral relationships within the health, legal, social service systems, and partner organizations;

• Represent Sakhi on relevant task forces, coalitions, and committees to voice trends of gender violence and mental health in South Asian & Indo-Caribbean communities.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field;

• Licensed in or Limited Permit holder in New York State, in mental health counseling, social work, or related field;

• Preferred 3-5 years of experience in direct social/clinical service with families and a knowledge of trauma, sexual violence, domestic violence, and gender issues;

• Fluency in one or more South Asian language, especially Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Ability to engage with diverse communities and audiences;

• Strong administrative, writing, and organization skills;

• Experience working with multiple staff, volunteers, and program responsibilities;

• Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends;

• Ability to work independently but also as a member of a team.

This is a full-time role that requires some flexibility with schedule. Work hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm or 9am-5pm. Some evenings and weekends will be required. Starting salary will be $73,000. Sakhi offers health and dental benefits, paid parental leave and all full-time team members have access to clinical supervision.

Application Information

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Ideal candidates will be available to start as soon as possible. Please complete the application via Sakhi’s Career Center, available on our website. You must submit a resume and cover letter with your application to be considered. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.