Lutheran Social Service logo
Lutheran Social Service
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Clinical Therapist, Path Services

CounselorNo weekendsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

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

Posted 4mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Join a Mission-Driven Team

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota (LSS) is dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of communities across the state. Our mission: Inspired by God's love, we care for, support, and strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

Each year, LSS impacts the lives of South Dakotans over 27,000 times through a diverse range of programs and services.

As one of South Dakota’s largest private nonprofit human service agencies, LSS serves individuals of all ages, faiths, races, and economic backgrounds with professional, confidential, and affordable services.

Our values form the foundation of who we are and how we operate. At LSS, we prioritize a whole-person, family-centered approach to care within a continuum of services.

$600 Sign-On Bonus Available!

LSS Path Services seeks a Clinical Therapist with a heart for reducing barriers, so kids, adults and families have access to help and healing related to mental health care. If you are a compassionate individual who is seeking to be part of a clinical team, we invite you to apply. Come join our family-friendly environment. #YouareLSS

HOURS: Full-time, 40hours, Monday- Friday.

SALARY: Dependent on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

LSS is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to qualifying full-time employees. We support you with opportunities to help live balanced, healthy lives. Benefits are designed to meet needs of today and into the future.

  • $600 hiring bonus* external candidates only
  • PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours for benefit-eligible employees
  • 8 Paid Holidays
  • 401(k) 3% match
  • Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options, with HSA & FSA options
  • Dental and Vision plans
  • Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family
  • Career development opportunities, hands-on training, and mentorship
  • Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

Responsibilities

Clinical Therapists work as members of the LSS team in caring for, supporting, and strengthening individuals, families, and communities. PATH clinicians provide professional mental health services in schools to students in grades kindergarten through 12th in the Sioux Empire United Way area.

They provide advocacy for their clients and their families and work collaboratively with their schools in meeting the needs of their clients. This position provides the opportunity to provide therapeutic services in an outpatient setting for children and teens.

This position is expected to transport program materials and supplies to and from school locations.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a related human service field is required.

Candidates may be considered for the following levels, depending on qualifications:

  • Clinical Therapist II: Licensed or certified (e. g., CSW, LPC); or certified in an evidence-based practice (e. g., FFT, EMDR, TF-CBT).
  • Clinical Therapist III: Licensed at the highest level (e. g., CSW-PIP, LPC-MH, LAC).

A master’s degree may not be required for Clinical Therapist III if highest-level licensure is held.

  • Must be able to pass any tests, assessments.
  • Must be at least 21 years old and able to complete orientation training according to agency program standards.
  • Requires active auto-insurance, a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one with approved driver status.
  • Must successfully complete all agency background checks, which include checks for criminal convictions, behavior harmful towards children, spousal abuse, and drug or sex crimes.

LSS Expectations & Core Values

At LSS, we are committed to upholding the following values in all aspects of our work:

  • Compassionate – We engage with empathy and provide non-judgmental services.
  • Appreciative – We recognize and develop the strengths of our clients and employees.
  • Respectful – We build professional and collaborative relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues.
  • Ethical – We uphold high standards of integrity and quality in all actions.
  • Strategic – We anticipate and respond proactively to community needs.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Please note: As part of our hiring process and to meet accreditation requirements, applicants will be asked to complete a prescreen questionnaire.

*Hiring bonus available to external candidates only.

If you need accommodations filling out the application, please fill out the following form listing what accommodations are needed at LSS will address comments, questions or concerns.

Key Responsibilities

Provide professional mental health services to K-12 students within schools in the Sioux Empire United Way area. Collaborate with schools and families to provide advocacy and therapeutic support for children and teens.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related field, with licensure levels varying by therapist grade. Must possess a valid driver's license, auto insurance, and pass comprehensive background checks.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Mental Health CounselingCase AdvocacyCrisis InterventionCollaborative CareClinical AssessmentFamily-Centered Care

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Clinical Therapist, Path Services at Lutheran Social Service a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,851 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 68% are remote, 20% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for South Dakota is 88.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 58.2% of South Dakota clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · above average in mental health therapy (counseling)ranked against 7,851 Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed paynot listedMental Health Therapy median $74k (middle half $66k–$86k)306 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost of livingSouth Dakota index 88.6US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in South Dakota21 active7,907 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 68% remote · 20% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (7,851 Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

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

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Salary Distribution

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

29 jobs
401k / retirement match
79% this job
CME allowance
52%
Sign-on bonus
31% this job
Loan repayment
14% this job
PSLF eligible
7% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,851 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
Lutheran Social Service logo

About Lutheran Social Service

Individual and Family Services
Sioux Falls, SD
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

$600 hiring bonus
PTO Time Frontload Up to 24 Hours
8 Paid Holidays
401(k) 3% match
Four Wellmark BCBS medical plan options
HSA & FSA options
Dental and Vision plans
Employer paid life insurance

Living in Sioux Falls

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$304k
Typical market rent
$1,302/mo
Residents’ average commute
17 min
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

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