Mental Health Counselor Outpatient

LPC / LMHCFull-Time

Listed compensation

$30-$36/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 4m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Job Location: 721 Fawcett Ave - Tacoma, WA
  • Education Level: Graduate Degree
  • Salary Range: $30.00 - $36.00Hourly
  • Job Shift: Day
  • Job Category: Health Care

The Mental Health Professional will provide clinical treatment services to adults, youth, and their families experiencing the impact of mental health, substance use disorder, and homelessness through a joint venture with City of Tacoma and Catholic Community Services.

These services can include assessment, recovery support, connection to other resources, and assistance with access to primary healthcare, etc. The incumbent is an integral part of the interdisciplinary team, and will collaborate with Chemical Dependency Professionals and Certified Peer Counselors in developing individualized treatment plans.

Provides outpatient treatment services to individuals experiencing homelessness as well as mental health and possible substance use disorders, with the goal of improving and/or reduce symptoms and resolving situational disturbances in the areas of relational, occupational, and/or vocational concerns.

Provides a recovery framework for all interactions with clients, allowing their voice to be paramount to their treatment plan, and goals for their life. Provides strength-based assessment utilizing DSM guidelines.

Collaborates with the client to develop a mutually agreed upon individual service plan, driven by client choice and client preference. Coordinates care with all other providers and provides support, as agreed upon with the client.

Reviews client(s) progress, establishes treatment goals, and makes referrals as necessary. Participates in case management and makes decisions, in partnership with clients, on case management issues. Provides follow-up and supportive services to clients, as needed.

Assures confidentiality is maintained and client files are secured. Maintains appropriate client records. Maintains continuing education requirements for license or certification. Maintains regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours.

May occasionally work a flexible schedule which may include evenings. Perform other duties as assigned Qualifications: Masters Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field from an accredited college or university.

Current mental health credentials from the state Department of Health (DOH) or is eligible for the DOH Agency Affiliated Counselor credential. Mental Health Professional status with Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), or ability to obtain upon hire preferred.

Experience and knowledge of Substance Abuse treatment preferred Experienced knowledge of the Pierce County public mental health system and community resources. Solid competencies and understanding of substance use disorder treatment and co-occurring disorders treatment.

Undergo a TB test or have evidence of a course of approved treatment by a physician. Have a current/valid Washington State Drivers License.

Key Responsibilities

The Mental Health Counselor provides clinical treatment services, including assessments and recovery support, to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and homelessness. They collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans while coordinating care with other providers.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. Professional credentials from the Washington State Department of Health or eligibility for the Agency Affiliated Counselor credential are required.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental health assessmentIndividualized treatment planningCrisis interventionDocumentationInterdisciplinary collaborationReferral coordinationClient advocacy

Clinical Psychology — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$69k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $64k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Clinical Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 22% have no call, 80% require no weekends.

What does the Clinical Psychology market look like in Washington?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$62k–$75kClinical Psychology median $103k (middle half $78k–$118k)17 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$64k in purchasing powerWashington index 107.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Clinical Psychology listings in Washington9 active370 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 68% remote · 22% no call · 80% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedWashington Counselor listings: 17% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 14% offer loan repayment305 active listings, Oct 2026
Clinical Psychology pay trend+14.4% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$69k midpoint, that is roughly $3k–$5k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

42 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

42 jobs · 23 employers
8
<$85k
7
$85k-100k
4
$100k-115k
22
$115k-130k
1
$155k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

35 jobs · 23 employers
401k / retirement match
97%
Sign-on bonus
29%
CME allowance
17% this job
Loan repayment
11%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Dental Therapist

InterDent Service · Salem, Oregon

From $155k
#2

Clinical Manager LCSW, LPC, LMHC, LMFT

Eating Recovery Center · Bellevue, Washington

$103k-$129k
#3

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

$74k-$126k
#4

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

$92k-$125k
+ 40 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.7this job 3.0
Better work-life than 10% of Clinical Psychology (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 370 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
Metropolitan Development Council logo

About Metropolitan Development Council

Non-profit Organizations
Tacoma, Washington
51-200 employees

Living in Tacoma

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$483k
Typical market rent
$1,773/mo
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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