Summit Psychological Associates, Inc. (SPA) has full-time openings for a clinician who specializes in forensic assessment and/or treatment services. The position is open to Social Workers, Professional Counselors, Psychology Assistants and Psychologists. An independently licensed clinician is preferred, however, a non-independent clinician with experience in forensic services will also be considered. Supervision toward licensure is provided by the agency for non-independent clinicians. We are looking for a dedicated, caring professional who wants to provide effective mental health care to diverse populations. Our forensic clientele are individuals involved in the legal system who are referred from a variety of sources (federal probation, county-level probation and parole departments, municipal court probation departments, child protective services, domestic relations courts, etc.). These individuals experience a range of presenting problems including maladaptive personality traits, paraphilias, mental illness, substance abuse, intellectual disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders.
The position would be full-time, with the clinician spending most of their time in the Akron office and potentially one day in our Stark County office, if desired. Clinicians are also required to work two evenings per week until 8pm. We may also consider part-time employment.
Based on experience, clinical duties may include one or more of the following:
- Forensic Evaluations – SPA has a wide variety of third-party referral sources and contracts for forensic psychological evaluations including criminal, civil and juvenile courts, defense attorneys, employers, child protective services, etc. Common forensic evaluations include sex offense risk evaluations for adults and juveniles, adult and juvenile competency evaluations, parental fitness evaluations, guardianship and civil commitment evaluations, not guilty by reason of insanity evaluations for adults, fitness for duty evaluations for various employers, and pre-employment evaluations.
- Diagnostic and/or Psychological Assessment - Conduct general diagnostic assessments to determine diagnosis and treatment needs for individuals on probation, diagnostic assessments to determine eligibility for specialized court dockets/programs (e.g. Mental Health Court, Domestic Violence Intervention Court, etc.) and intellectual and adaptive functioning assessments for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Sex Offense Treatment Program – Provide group and/or individual treatment to adult males and females who have a history of sex offending behavior who are referred by federal, state and municipal parole and probation authorities. SPA has a comprehensive sex offense group treatment program that is certified by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. It is a goal-based program with 3 levels and the client must be promoted through each level in order to graduate successfully from the program. In addition to the group component, SPA regularly consults with probation and parole to coordinate services. We also offer the range of our services to clients who need it (e.g. medication, substance use or mental health counseling, case mgmt., etc.). Federal clients are required to complete polygraphs as part of their conditions which are incorporated into treatment. When possible, the client’s significant other(s) (e.g. spouse, family, close friend) participate in the treatment process and the client’s relapse prevention plan to aid in having support and accountability in the community during and after treatment.
- Individual Therapy - Provide therapeutic services to self-referred, community referred, and court mandated clients. Common diagnoses include dual diagnoses, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use, psychotic disorders, personality disorders and behavioral problems related to neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Group Therapy - Facilitate court-mandated, manualized group treatment for adult men and women convicted of offenses related to substance use or domestic violence and assault, with a variety of co-morbid mental health disorders. Treatment protocols utilize cognitive behavioral and psycho-educational elements.
- Program Development/Administration - Postdoctoral trainees, Psychology Assistants and Psychologists will also have the opportunity to be involved in the administration of the psychology internship and to provide umbrella supervision for psychology interns and/or practicum student. They will have the opportunity to be involved in program development for forensic services in the agency.
Please send a letter of interest and resume/vita to Sylvia O'Bradovich, Psy.D. at sobradovich@summit-psychological.com. Letters of recommendation may be requested.