YMCA of Metropolitan Washington logo
YMCA of Metropolitan Washington
Silver Spring, Maryland

YMCA Mental Health Therapist

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$75k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a leading nonprofit organization that has a strong commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.

Position: Mental Health Therapist Salary:$75,000.00

YMCA Youth & Family Services is seeking a dynamic self-motivated clinician to join our mission to promote strong kids, strong families and strong communities. You will become part of a highly skilled team of professionals making a difference working with youths and families in the community to remove barriers to mental health treatment. We are hiring for multiple therapist positions, for both the Linkages to Learning Bridge to Wellness programs.

About the Job

The Mental Health Therapist (MHT) is responsible for providing therapeutic intervention to individual youth, families and groups. This is a school-based position working within Montgomery County Public Schools serving elementary, middle or high school aged youth.

Our clinicians work closely with educators, guidance counselors, school social workers and community providers, as well as other YMCA staff, to provide optimal care and treatment for the youth and families. The MHT works within a team of providers to support our families.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Performs bio-psycho-social assessments to make diagnostic impressions/diagnoses and develop treatment plans
  • Provide individual, family and group counseling to a caseload of 19-21
  • Provide crisis intervention as needed to youth
  • Lead or co-lead psycho-educational, developmental and therapy groups (child, teen and parent)
  • Provide classroom observations when indicated
  • Consult with parents, school staff, and medical providers regarding child’s progress
  • Attend school and parent meetings as needed (IEP, 504, EMT/ARD/suspension, etc.)

Offer Appropriate Assistance During Crises

Support the YMCA Cause of strengthening community through participation in Y sponsored events, trainings, and meetings throughout the region

Qualifications and Skills

  • Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy
  • Current Maryland licensure as LMSW, LCSW-C, LGPC, LCPC, LGMFT, LCMFT or Psych Associate

Knowledge of evidence-based models of treatment (i. e. CBT, DBT, Child Centered Play Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, etc.)

Working Conditions

  • MHTs work on site in MCPS school building as 12-month (year round) employees
  • MHT must have the ability to drive between sites as needed (mileage reimbursed) and access to a vehicle

MHTs must work when school is in session, but also have flexibility to accommodate parent schedules for family therapy, consultation etc. during evenings or other hours when needed

Why You Should Join Us

The YMCA offers a supportive and dynamic work environment that encourages personal and professional growth. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a range of benefits designed to support your overall well-being. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy as an employee:

Continuing Education (CEU’s) paid by employer

Weekly Supervision for Licensure Paid by Employer

  • Impactful Work: Make a meaningful difference in your community every day.
  • Supportive Environment: Thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven workplace.
  • Competitive Compensation: Salary reflective of your skill and experience.
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive plans to ensure you and your family can receive the care you need.
  • Wellness Programs: Y membership for you and your family to support your physical and mental health.

Retirement Plans to Secure your Financial Future: The Y will contribute 10% of your salary into the Y’s retirement savings plan. You also have the option to make additional contributions to the Y’s 403(b) and ROTH plans.

  • Work-Life Balance: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Training and Development: Access to professional development programs, workshops, and certifications.

Key Responsibilities

The Mental Health Therapist provides therapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group counseling, to youth within school settings. They are responsible for conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and collaborating with educators and families to support student progress.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy. A current Maryland licensure such as LMSW, LCSW-C, LGPC, LCPC, LGMFT, LCMFT, or Psych Associate is required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Treatment planningIndividual counselingFamily counselingPsycho-educational groupsClassroom observation

Counselor Career Context

In Maryland, the Mental Health Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$82k (226 salary observations; 589 listings), vs ~$74k nationally (5,791 salary observations; 23,259 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-12-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 32% are remote, 40% have no call, 56% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$75kMental Health Therapy median $75k (middle half $72k–$82k)18 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Maryland vs national$82k median in Maryland$74k nationally (+11%)226 state / 5,791 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$71k in purchasing powerMaryland index 105.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Maryland215 active7,579 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 32% remote · 40% no call · 56% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedMaryland counselor listings (all specialties): 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 9% offer loan repayment383 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Therapy listings2,476 in the last 30 days1,365 the 30 days before (+81%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Mental Health Therapy pay trend−1.8% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

37 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

37 jobs · 28 employers
12
<$75k
12
$75k-90k
8
$90k-105k
5
$105k-120k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

32 jobs · 28 employers
401k / retirement match
94% this job
CME allowance
38% this job
Sign-on bonus
28%
Loan repayment
13%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW - LPCC - LMFT

LifeStance Health · Plymouth, Minnesota

$74k-$117k
#2

Child and Adolescent Therapist - LCSW, LPC, LMFTContract

Blackbird Health · Eldersburg, Maryland

$55k-$115k
#3

Child and Adolescent Therapist - LCSW-C, LCPC, LCMFT

$55k-$115k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LCSW-C, LCPC, LMFT)

$82k-$113k
+ 35 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 2.8
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,558 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington logo

About YMCA of Metropolitan Washington

Wellness and Fitness Services
Washington, District of Columbia
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

CEUs paid by employer
Weekly supervision for licensure paid
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Wellness Programs: Y membership
Retirement: 10% employer contribution
Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Professional development programs

Living in Silver Spring

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$523k≈ 7.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,969/mo≈ 32% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
34 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.