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Mind Body Optimization
Knoxville, Tennessee

Private Practice Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Knoxville, TN 37934Position Type: Full TimePOSITION SUMMARY The Private Practice Therapist provides high-quality mental health services to clients in an outpatient setting.

This role involves conducting assessments, creating individualized treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based therapy to support client well-being. The therapist works independently while contributing to the collaborative and client-focused culture of the clinic.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Care: Provide individual, couple, and/or family therapy based on expertise and client needs. Conduct thorough intake evaluations, including patient history, mental status examinations, and diagnostic assessments.

Formulate accurate psychiatric diagnoses and develop personalized treatment plans individually tailored to client goals. Provide crisis intervention and risk assessments for patients experiencing acute mental health issues.

Collaboration: Work closely with psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare providers to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care. Participate in case consultations and team meetings to review treatment plans and progress.

Refer patients to higher levels of care or additional services as needed, ensuring continuity of care. Patient Education & Advocacy Educate patients and families about psychiatric conditions, treatment options, medication adherence, and self-care strategies.

Advocate for patient needs within the healthcare system and community resources. Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) system. Ensure compliance with clinic policies, legal regulations, and ethical standards in psychiatric practice.

Monitor and address issues related to prescribing controlled substances in alignment with DEA and state guidelines. Professional Development: Stay current on advancements in psychiatric care through continuing education, professional memberships, and clinical supervision.

Contribute to quality improvement initiatives within the clinic. Note: The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Psychology or Social Work preferred. Experience: Experience working in substance use is preferred but not required. Two years of experience in private practice setting preferred.

Licensure: Must be independently licensed and in good standing as an LPC, LCSW, or equivalent. Will accept provisionally licensed associates. Additional Requirements: A thorough knowledge of The Joint Commission, OSHA, CMS, DHS, State Regulations, and Federal Regulatory Standards. Complete TB testing, Drug Screening, and Background check upon being hired.

Key Responsibilities

The therapist provides high-quality mental health services, including individual, couple, and family therapy, while conducting thorough intake evaluations and developing personalized treatment plans. They also collaborate with other healthcare providers and maintain accurate documentation in the electronic health record system.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work and possess an independent license such as LPC, LCSW, or equivalent. Experience in a private practice setting and knowledge of regulatory standards like The Joint Commission and OSHA are preferred.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Individual therapyCouple therapyPsychiatric diagnosisTreatment planningRisk assessmentPatient advocacyClinical documentationSubstance use treatment

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 24% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states.

Top Counselor Jobs

48 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution48 jobs · 38 employers

14
<$75k
14
$75k-95k
7
$95k-115k
9
$115k-135k
4
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks36 jobs

401k / retirement match
86%
CME allowance
50% this job
Loan repayment
22%
Sign-on bonus
19%
PSLF eligible
11%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Outpatient Therapist (Licensed Psychologist or LICSW)

Allina Health · Edina, Minnesota

$125k-$140k
#2

Virtual School Based CounselorContract

Lets Therapy · Springfield, Pennsylvania

$66 per hour
#3

Remote Licensed Professional Counselor-Virginia

$66/hr
#4

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Bilingual)

$65/hr
+ 46 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,029 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Knoxville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$358k
Typical market rent
$1,712/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.6
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Knoxville, TN metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.