Primary Therapist
Compensation
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Job Description
Pinelands of Medford
At Pinelands you will have the opportunity to work closely within a team of professionals consisting of substance use experts, all dedicated to promoting lasting health and healing. Clinical supervision and guidance are provided on total client care and therapeutic milieu management, as well as career growth and personal development oversight. You will develop an individualized growth plan which will help you develop your professional skills and career objectives.
If you are looking for an organization that thrives on growth, celebrates diversity of thought, and rewards passionate execution, you’ve come to the right place. Because we put clients first, it is our honor to support and reward those who serve them.
Position Summary
The Primary Therapist provides and oversees treatment services as defined in the daily schedule and assists with supervision and facility management. The combined responsibilities of clinical and administrative supervision/management are key to the success of the treatment facility.
Essential Job Functions
- Completes the Biopsychosocial assessment within one day of admission (parent and/or resident components**)
- Completes the Comprehensive Treatment Plan and Integrated Treatment Summary within three days of admission.
- Identify weekly treatment goals and write contracts relative to individual client needs.
- Write and facilitate the Discharge Summary at the time of discharge (no later then 24 hours following discharge)
- Individual psychotherapy sessions, 2-3 times weekly for each client.
- Conjoint family psychotherapy sessions 1-3 times weekly for each client.
Facilitate professional groups as assigned. Minimum of 4 weekly.
- Facilitate Multifamily and Alumni groups in the evening or weekend hours.
- Interface with insurance companies, providing appropriate clinical information to obtain initial certification and continuing stay certification as required.
- Thoroughly educate each resident to the CTP and its intent, target dates, and revisions.
Conjoint family therapy is scheduled at least once each week to address issues related to the resident’s family experience. The Primary Therapist ensures that each family member is fully educated to the CTP, its goals and methods and the resident’s discharge plan. It is key that the family know how to approach and implement all discharge recommendations.
- Meets with residents within twenty-four hours of admission to establish therapeutic rapport.
- Facilitates group therapy, workshops, and educational groups as directed by the program schedule.
- Assesses suicidality and possibility for danger to self or others.
Charts each resident’s progress throughout the treatment experience. Notes are completed on a daily basis when ever possible and never completed later then 5 days following a session.
- Charts after each individual, group, and family session.
- Educates the each resident as needed.
- Creates a written plan for continuing care (DC plan) and discharge summary.
- The Primary Therapist “oversees” the daily treatment experience of each of his/her resident clients.
- May be required to travel to other facilities to attend trainings.
The Primary Therapist is responsible to support facility supervision through close communication with their partner Primary Therapist or Program Director. The Primary Therapists are the facility’s leaders; as such a strong relationship between the two is vital for successful administration.
Knowledge, Education, & Experience
The Primary Therapist must possess Masters or Doctorate in appropriate field with Licensure. Discovery Behavioral Health utilizes MFT and LCSW interns and psychological assistants under the supervision of an appropriate Licensed Independent Practitioner.
The Primary Therapist must have at least one year in acute care or residential treatment or closely related experience
- Employment Status: Full time
- Schedule: Sunday- Thursday or Tuesday- Saturday 9am-5pm
- Work location: Medford, NJ
Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce.
We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Key Responsibilities
The Primary Therapist provides individual and family psychotherapy while overseeing the daily treatment experience and clinical documentation for residents. They are responsible for facilitating group therapy, managing facility operations, and coordinating with insurance companies for treatment certifications.
Requirements
Candidates must possess a Master's or Doctorate degree in an appropriate field along with professional licensure. A minimum of one year of experience in acute care, residential treatment, or a closely related setting is required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 58% are remote, 22% have no call, 60% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.8% of New Jersey clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Primary Therapist at Discovery Behavioral Health a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Addiction Medicine (Counseling) — ranked against 1,292 active Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.
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