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UnitedHealth Group
Columbus, Ohio · Hybrid

Independent Licensed Therapist

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$69k-$104k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 47m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Affirmations Psychological Services, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking a Licensed Therapist to join our team in Columbus, Ohio. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care team, you’ll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

As a Licensed Therapist, you will treat a wide variety of mental health conditions that reflect the needs of our diverse patient population. We offer a variety of solutions that meet the unique needs of our workforce and the patients they serve. From clinical operations such as credentialing to business operations such as contracting, we provide organizational support that allows our providers to focus on what matters – providing care.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Screen, assess, and diagnose patients for common mental health disorders
  • Provide treatment for mental health conditions using various approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, emotion focused therapy, Gottman method and other evidence-based methods

Develop Treatment Plans and Track Treatment Progress

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic medical records and clinical documentation, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements
  • Participate in monthly team consultation and staff meetings

We are committed to your well-being and growth, offering a comprehensive package of perks and benefits with varying eligibility based on role, including:

Competitive hourly pay & uncapped productivity incentives

Flexible work models & paid time off when you need it

Health and well-being benefits like health insurance, 401k matching, and other family support and wellness resources

Professional development with continuing education (CE) reimbursement and dedicated learning time to advance your career

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, social work, or counseling
  • Clear, active and unrestricted license (LMFT, LPCC, LISW) in the state of Ohio
  • Training and experience working with couples
  • Willing to work in-office at least 2 days per week

Preferred Qualifications

  • 2+ years of professional experience post master’s degree providing mental health services
  • Experience providing direct psychotherapy services to individuals, couples and families
  • Experience working with computers for professional communication and medical documentation - Outlook, Athena RMS (or other EHRs)
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Explore opportunities at Optum Behavioral Care. We’re revolutionizing behavioral health care delivery for individuals, clinicians and the entire health care system. Together, we are bringing high-end medical service, compassionate care and industry leading solutions to our most vulnerable patient populations.

Our holistic approach addresses the physical, mental and social needs of our patients wherever they may be - helping patients access and navigate care anytime and anywhere. We’re connecting care to create a seamless health journey for patients across care settings.

Join our team, it’s your chance to improve the lives of millions while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Pay Range: $69,100 - $103,800 annual total cash target pay

Annual total cash compensation for this role assumes full time employment and generally follows the range above, includes earnings from hourly pay (25/hr) and incentive pay and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role.

We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your pay, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives."

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life.

Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes.

We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Key Responsibilities

The therapist will screen, assess, and diagnose patients while providing evidence-based treatment plans for various mental health conditions. They are also responsible for maintaining accurate electronic medical records and participating in regular team consultations.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, social work, or counseling along with an active, unrestricted Ohio license (LMFT, LPCC, or LISW). At least two years of post-master’s professional experience and the ability to work in-office at least two days per week are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental health assessmentDiagnosisTreatment planningCrisis interventionCase managementPatient screeningInterdisciplinary collaborationRegulatory compliance

Counselor Career Context

UnitedHealth Group holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 71/100, 1,698 active listings.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 30% have no call, 60% require no weekends — this position is remote.

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$93k in purchasing powerOhio index 92.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Ohio395 active7,943 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingremotepeers: 40% remote · 30% no call · 60% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedOhio Counselor listings: 22% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 17% offer loan repayment604 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Therapy listings2,623 in the last 30 days1,577 the 30 days before (+66%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Mental Health Therapy pay trend−2.0% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
UnitedHealth Groupsilver tier, 71/100Top Employers work-life index1,698 active listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, Top Employers work-life 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

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

34 jobs · 26 employers
15
<$75k
8
$75k-95k
4
$95k-115k
5
$115k-135k
2
$141k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

26 jobs
401k / retirement match
92% this job
Sign-on bonus
46%
CME allowance
46% this job
Loan repayment
27%
PSLF eligible
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

LifeStance Health · Lake Oswego, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Mental Health Therapist

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#4

Behavioral Health Specialist Requires LCSW LPC or LMFT

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+ 32 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 2.4
Better work-life than 10% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,895 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Hybrid
  • Remote
UnitedHealth Group logo

About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive hourly pay & uncapped productivity incentives
Flexible work models
Paid time off
Health insurance
401k matching
Family support and wellness resources
Continuing education (CE) reimbursement
Dedicated learning time