Mental Health Employment (Licensed Therapist) (Phoenix, Glendale: school, salary, living in)

[Jewels385]

Hello, I am living in the Midwest but plan to move to Arizona within the next 6-12 months. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have been looking around at different agencies etc for employment opportunities. I've done a lot of research on line and saw a few places in person on previous visits (3) to Arizona however was hoping for some good feedback regarding reputation or if I'm real lucky someone(s) will actually work at a great place and can sign me up!

I currently work in a group private practice doing outpatient therapy. I work with a variety of clients of all ages as a generalist. I don't mean to bore you but I'm just letting you know that I am hoping to repeat the same thing. I know I won't be making $100/hr like I am now, but I currently don't get benefits so that could make up a little (there's always private practice on the side).

Alright, thanks for reading and ANY feedback would be very much appreciated!

[sablebaby]

Too bad you're not here now as my agency is hiring a part-time per diem position and we can't find anybody to fill it. What agencies have you looked at? I know a place named Nova that just laid off 4 therapists last week. I worked at a few agencies and they were not good. Our mental health services are pretty bad out here.

[Greatday]

Make sure you are in compliance with AZ statutes and rules for licensure

You might check Superstition Mountain Mental Health agency -

[Jewels385]

sablebaby,

Thanks for responding. The agencies I am keeping my eye on are (but not limited to) Jewish Family and Children's Services, Terros, FSA (Family Service Agency), Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Prehab, Southwest Human Development, Magellan, Touchstone Behavioral Services, Devereux, Arizona's Children's Association, and 2 Reservations (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation in Scottsdale and Gila River Indian Reservation in Sacaton) although I see the last one is way south. I've been looking into the Tatum Ranch, NE Phoenix and Desert Ridge areas to live.

On Jobing.com's website they appear to have a great Career Expo several times a year and I took a peek at each of the companies I'm interested in's several minute video explaining their company and what they look for in employees. At least on all of these companies websites they seem to have very specific structured programs that they follow. Are there good programs out there?

When you say social services are not good in Az (which I've heard before) is it the usual irony of social service agencies being very unhealthy and poorly managed? or is it more than that? Do you like your agency? I'm looking for a full time salary with benefits. Are there any with good reputations? or do you just have to pay your dues and work to get out on your own? I'm amazed at the number of people in private practice. Even places that sound like a big agency turn out to just be one person!

Thanks again for your feedback.

[Jewels385]

Greatday,

Can you say more about the rules and statues for Az? Anything in particular? I do expect I will have to retake the oral exam.

Thanks for the suggestion on Superstition Mountain Mental Health Agency, however when I have researched them they appear to be a ways out but more importantly seem to specialize in severally mentally ill clients which is not an area I care to focus on (been there done that ). Am I correct?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Jewels385

sablebaby,

Thanks for responding. The agencies I am keeping my eye on are (but not limited to) Jewish Family and Children's Services, Terros, FSA (Family Service Agency), Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Prehab, Southwest Human Development, Magellan, Touchstone Behavioral Services, Devereux, Arizona's Children's Association, and 2 Reservations (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation in Scottsdale and Gila River Indian Reservation in Sacaton) although I see the last one is way south. I've been looking into the Tatum Ranch, NE Phoenix and Desert Ridge areas to live.

On Jobing.com's website they appear to have a great Career Expo several times a year and I took a peek at each of the companies I'm interested in's several minute video explaining their company and what they look for in employees. At least on all of these companies websites they seem to have very specific structured programs that they follow. Are there good programs out there?

When you say social services are not good in Az (which I've heard before) is it the usual irony of social service agencies being very unhealthy and poorly managed? or is it more than that? Do you like your agency? I'm looking for a full time salary with benefits. Are there any with good reputations? or do you just have to pay your dues and work to get out on your own? I'm amazed at the number of people in private practice. Even places that sound like a big agency turn out to just be one person!

Thanks again for your feedback.

Well, those are the major agencies. I have worked for a few of them. Devereux is a horrible place to work. Completely unorganized and had many rude/mean people working there. They didn't seem to care about anyone. Plus, their population is a difficult one.

Arizona Children's Association was pretty bad as well. Fulltimers there are overworked expecting people to work 50 hours to fill their quota. Bad supervisors. The child and family teams (CFT) are a joke.

Touchstone was similiar to Devereux, but probably not as bad. We had a major problem with scheduling and I was forced to choose over my grad program or my job. You can imagine what I chose.

Prehab (now called A New Leaf?) was not terrible, but has issues like any other agency. They have/had an awesome Lead Psychologist in their Tempe counseling center, but I think he may have retired. I worked with him in a different agency where he worked part-time. They do a lot of DV shelters, I worked in one in Glendale.

Megellan, I worked there when it was Value Options. One of the worst places to work. I'm sure not much has changed as it's many of the same people working there. They do the SMI services for Maricopa County.

I have heard Jewish Family isn't all bad, never worked there though. The rest I don't know.

The mental health system doesn't have a lot of money and has many uncaring people working and supervising. If at all possible, do not work for an agency that is 100% funded through Megellan. My friend works for NOVA and they just laid off 4 therapists there. Megellan cut their funds. We are funded mainly through Medicare, Health Ins companies and a little from Megellan. So, that helps if one cuts (which is often medicare) we don't worry so much.

We do group therapy for SMI. They pay is higher than most agencies as well. Our turnover is super low. Many of our therapists have worked there for 5-10 years. Our Psychiatrist has been there 11 years! Unheard of!!!

Yeah, I believe you have to get through until you can be in private practice.

If you have any other questions let me know.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Jewels385

Greatday,

Can you say more about the rules and statues for Az? Anything in particular? I do expect I will have to retake the oral exam.

Thanks for the suggestion on Superstition Mountain Mental Health Agency, however when I have researched them they appear to be a ways out but more importantly seem to specialize in severally mentally ill clients which is not an area I care to focus on (been there done that ). Am I correct?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

I wasn't sure about her post either. I'm sure you know how to apply for licensure here. We don't have oral boards here, unless you're a psychologist, which I'm guessing you're not. Have you looked into what it will take be licensed here?

[Jewels385]

Thanks for your quick response. I'm wondering your thoughts on hospitals? I've been looking at the "Best Employers" list for The Valley and St Joseph's and Scottsdale Health Care keep popping up. I've had great difficulty finding any outpatient mental health jobs. Do these places have outpatient services? How about Banner Health? My feeling is not good about them, but they also ranked on the Best Employers list which shocked me. The jobs I've seen for outpatient appear to be with adolescents that were hospitalized and their families in an "intensive" environment. Anything you've heard?

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, so I wouldn't have to take an oral exam? I've tried contacting the AZ Board of Examiners in my field but no one ever gets back to me. I've even tried contacting the President of the Arizona Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the Adlerian Society (I was trained at Alfred Adler Graduate School) and not one person has contacted me back.

I tried to email a couple of people with Jewish Family and Children Service's email addresses (Scottsdale location) after I saw their name on the "Difficult Child Institute" website as having been certified in that special training, but again, no one gets back to me. Have I been unlucky? or is this standard?

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by Jewels385

Thanks for your quick response. I'm wondering your thoughts on hospitals? I've been looking at the "Best Employers" list for The Valley and St Joseph's and Scottsdale Health Care keep popping up. I've had great difficulty finding any outpatient mental health jobs. Do these places have outpatient services? How about Banner Health? My feeling is not good about them, but they also ranked on the Best Employers list which shocked me. The jobs I've seen for outpatient appear to be with adolescents that were hospitalized and their families in an "intensive" environment. Anything you've heard?

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, so I wouldn't have to take an oral exam? I've tried contacting the AZ Board of Examiners in my field but no one ever gets back to me. I've even tried contacting the President of the Arizona Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and the Adlerian Society (I was trained at Alfred Adler Graduate School) and not one person has contacted me back.

I tried to email a couple of people with Jewish Family and Children Service's email addresses (Scottsdale location) after I saw their name on the "Difficult Child Institute" website as having been certified in that special training, but again, no one gets back to me. Have I been unlucky? or is this standard?

http://www.bbhe.state.az.us/lic%20mft.htm (broken link)

Have you checked the website out? It's pretty straightforward with the requirements. No, we don't have oral boards here. Every state is different.

I don't know much about hospitals. I know we just opened up Aurora this year and is a 91 bed mental hospital. That's a big thing for us. My clients are one's who just get out of the hospital, or are close to being in the hospital. We are a Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program. I believe there is only one other outpatient type place and that's at St. Luke's. http://www.stlukesmedcenter.com/second/slbhc_programs.htm (broken link) I hear we are much better. It's a much needed service.

What kind of position and population are you wanting to find?

[Jewels385]

sablebaby,

Sounds like a good program you're a part of. That's great. Too bad they don't have a branch on the east side!

Yes I have checked out the website, and it looked like I didn't qualify for the reciprocity application (need to be licensed for 7 years). I just took a peek again at the website and maybe all it will take is filling out the general application and MFT supplement. Thanks for the nudge to recheck to site.

I'd like to continue working as a generalist - and seeing a wide variety of clients of all ages. I need and like the variety!

May I ask what your license is in?