Family Therapist

Position

Family Therapist

Team

Family Safety and Wellbeing

Role Classification

SCHADS Award Level 7

Employment Type/Hours

Full time, Permanent

Location

Frankston and Sandringham - Bunurong Land
From time to time the incumbent may be requested to work from, or be based at, other Family Life sites. 
 

Reports To

Team Leader, Family Safety & Wellbeing

Effective Date

January 2026

Overview of Program 

The Strength2Strength Program is a therapeutic response for children and their mothers who are victim survivors of family violence, which includes therapeutic services delivered via outreach and through centre-based sessions. A trauma-informed approach involves engaging with our clients in a developmentally sensitive, culturally appropriate manner, promoting safety and stability and identifying strengths and goals. We recognise the gendered drivers underlying family violence, and the intersecting factors shaping the experiences of women and children. These factors include culture, access to resources, ability/disability, sexual orientation, and possible co-occurring challenges in relation to mental health. Our aim is to partner with survivors and to strengthen their relationship with their child/children.  A partnership response has been activated to maximise client access, safety, empowerment and therapeutic outcomes. Strength2Strength operates through a partnership of key service providers including: Family Life, Salvation Army, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand and SECASA.

Position Objective

The Family Therapist works as part of a multi-disciplinary team, providing outreach and centre-based services to address the effects of ongoing exposure to family violence, and assist families to achieve safety and stability.

Primarily through the use of whole of family practice therapeutic interventions, the Family Therapist focuses on strengthening the attachment bond between mothers and their children.

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Working effectively and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver evidence-based, trauma informed services to women, children and their families impacted by family violence.


• Delivering attachment-focused therapy, dyadic and individual or family group, for children and/or mothers affected by family violence.


• Managing a caseload of clients, as well as providing support and assistance to co-workers on their cases.


• Working flexibly across a range of service delivery sites, including the provision of outreach support to enhance service accessibility.


• Performing other partnership related tasks as required to assist the program in meeting its contractual and compliance obligations.


• Supporting the innovation of service responses and sector reform. 


• Participating in ongoing reflective practice and supervision.

Key Selection Criteria

1. 
   Degree in Psychology, Counselling, or Social Work.


2. 
   Masters in Family Therapy and membership with a relevant professional association (highly regarded).


3. 
   Proven experience delivering evidence-based child and family therapy approaches, including dyadic and family developmental psychotherapy, parent–child interaction therapy, play therapy, transgenerational therapy, and trauma-informed interventions.


4. 
   Expertise in designing and implementing trauma-informed therapeutic practices for children, youth, and adults, reflecting comprehensive understanding of family violence impacts and feminist, systemic, child-focused approaches.


5. 
   Experience addressing issues related to separation, family law, mental health, sexual abuse, and substance use.


6. 
   Ability to identify and assess escalating risk using the MARAM framework and implement safety planning.


7. 
   Familiarity with child and family services sector (desirable) and key frameworks such as MARAM and the Best Interests Framework.


8. 
   Demonstrated success working within multidisciplinary teams to deliver high performance and innovative solutions.


9. 
   Capacity to manage ambiguity and uncertainty in complex, changing environments affecting vulnerable communities.


10. 
    Proficiency in client management systems and online video conferencing platforms.