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Centerstone
Athens, Tennessee

School-Based Therapist (Athens)

School CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$42k-$47k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 37m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!

Job Description

Summary of Position

Provide therapy to clients in a school setting while maintaining good clinical judgement.

The chosen candidate will be working with children in a school setting (elementary age). This position will placed in McMinn County Schools.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Ability to formulate a diagnosis upon completion of intake assessment
  • Complete timely clinical documentation
  • Create and update treatment plans according to policy
  • Provide therapy services based upon assessment of clinical needs and diagnosis

Respond to supervisory communication including urgent care situations and other clinical needs as applicable in virtual or face to face settings

Keep administrative supervisor informed of all potential issues that could impact the program or the organization

  • Respond to needs of clients in a timely and professional manner
  • Demonstrate good clinical judgment in client care

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Ability to successfully utilize computer/electronic equipment and software

Qualifications

Education Requirements

  • A Master’s degree is required in one of the following fields: Clinical Psychology, Mental Health (MH) Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and/or a specialization in MH Counseling
  • License-eligible in respective discipline preferred.
  • OR

Applicants with a Master’s degree in a related field (outside of the disciplines listed above) must meet the following criteria:

Completion of at least 24 graduate-level semester hours in psychology, social work, counseling, or other behavioral health-related coursework.

  • Relevant coursework and work experience in the following areas:
  • Clinical treatment and treatment planning
  • Appraisal and assessment of mental disorders

Psychopathology

Use of the DSM for diagnostic purposes within a clinical internship or practicum in a behavioral health setting

Experience Requirements

Clinical experience is required. This may be fulfilled through clinical practicums or internships completed as part of a master’s degree program.

Certification/Licensure

  • Must possess a valid driver's license and meet eligibility requirements to be covered under the organization's vehicle insurance policy.
  • Starting Salary Range: $42,300 - $46,700

Physical Requirements

  • Standing – 10%
  • Sitting – 90%
  • Squatting – Occasional
  • Kneeling – Occasional
  • Bending – Occasional
  • Driving – Occasional
  • Lifting – Occasional

Disclaimer

The duties and responsibilities described in this document are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time, or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Time Type

Full Time

  • Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy:
  • Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
  • 403b retirement plan with company match
  • Paid time off and ten paid holidays
  • AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)
  • Employee Resource Groups
  • Continuing education opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.

At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture.

Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve.

Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.

Key Responsibilities

Provide therapy to elementary-age clients in a school setting, using intake assessments to formulate diagnoses and determine clinical needs. Maintain timely documentation and treatment plans, respond professionally to client and supervisory needs, and communicate potential program or organizational issues.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentDSM-Based DiagnosisComputer and Software ProficiencyTime Management

Counselor Career Context

Centerstone ranks #17 of 17 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 44% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$48k in purchasing powerTennessee index 91.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Tennessee170 active7,860 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 38% remote · 44% no call · 70% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Centerstone#17 of 17 for payTop Employers work-life index
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$45k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$3k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

29 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

29 jobs · 21 employers
13
<$80k
9
$80k-100k
2
$100k-120k
5
$120k-140k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

24 jobs · 21 employers
401k / retirement match
96% this job
CME allowance
46% this job
Sign-on bonus
25%
Loan repayment
8%
PSLF eligible
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Behavioral Health Clinician (POTFF)

$59k-$124k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
+ 27 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,838 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
Centerstone logo

About Centerstone

Mental Health Care
Nashville, Tennessee
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
403b retirement plan with company match
Paid time off and ten paid holidays
AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)
Employee Resource Groups
Continuing education opportunities
Employee Assistance Program

Living in Athens

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$283k≈ 6.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,085/mo≈ 31% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
22 min
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

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