Mental Health Therapist
Listed compensation
$28.84-$33/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Mental Health Therapist – Youth Behavioral Health
- Location: Lebanon, TN
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Pay: $28.84 - $33.00 / Hour
About Youth Opportunity & Lebanon Youth Academy
Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at‑risk youth. Lebanon Youth Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee offers an 18‑bed trauma‑informed Youth Academy for boys ages 12 to 17. Serving youth needing structured treatment and emotional support, the center combines individual, family, and group therapy with academic programming, restorative justice, life skills training, and social skill development.
Youth typically remain for 3 to 6 months, engaging in victim‑impact awareness, pre‑vocational preparation, and family involvement. Programming is conducted in small group living units to support reintegration into home and community settings.
Position Summary – Mental Health Therapist
We are hiring a Mental Health Therapist to join the clinical team at Lebanon Youth Academy. This role is ideal for a master’s-level clinician seeking experience in youth behavioral health, crisis stabilization, and residential assessment services. The therapist provides direct clinical care, supports youth stabilization, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to guide treatment and discharge planning.
- Mental Health Therapist Job Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with up to 4% employer match with Immediate Vesting
- Paid time off (PTO) and holidays – earn 4 hours of PTO every pay period
- Free RX delivery on most medications
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development
- Robust Employee Assistance Program
- Supportive, mission-driven work environment
Why Join Youth Opportunity?
- Make an impact during a critical entry and assessment phase of care
- Work in a clinically focused, fast-paced treatment setting
- Gain experience in assessment, stabilization, and treatment planning
- Access ongoing supervision, training, and career growth opportunities
- Mental Health Therapist Responsibilities
- Coordinate and implement individualized mental health and substance abuse treatment plans
- Provide ongoing evaluation, assessment, and counseling to youth and families under clinical supervision
- Deliver individual, group, and family therapy sessions
- Document clinical services including weekly progress notes, treatment plans, reviews, and aftercare plans
- Develop youth behavioral health discharge and transition plans
- Assess family dynamics and functioning to implement appropriate intervention strategies
- Collaborate with leadership on compliance, quality assurance, and performance improvement initiatives
- Additional Duties
- Participate in daily group routines and activities with youth and counselors
- Maintain a high standard of professional role model behavior
- Attend required training and professional development activities
- Report incidents, concerns, and use of physical force per policy
- Perform other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, social work, psychology, rehabilitation, special education, or a related human services field
Two years of experience working with youth with serious emotional disturbances or substance use challenges preferred
- Experience preferred but not required with an appropriate master’s degree
- Strong understanding of group leadership, group dynamics, and experiential education
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to pass background check and meet state requirements
Other Requirements
Physical Demands
- Must be in good physical health and emotionally stable
- Able to actively engage with youth, participate in physical interventions, and transport youth or staff as needed
- Must be free of communicable diseases as defined by the state
- Must pass evaluation of physical techniques and certification exams
Other
- Valid state driver’s license required
- Must meet state criminal background check requirements
- Occasional irregular hours may be required
How to Apply
Click “Apply Now” through Indeed to submit your application and learn more about joining the Youth Opportunity team at Harpeth Primary Assessment Center.
Youth Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Key Responsibilities
The therapist provides direct clinical care, including individual, group, and family therapy, while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to guide treatment and discharge planning. They are responsible for documenting clinical services and coordinating individualized mental health and substance abuse treatment plans.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related human services field. Two years of experience working with youth with serious emotional disturbances or substance use challenges is preferred.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 42% have no call, 72% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$64k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $70k in an average-cost state. 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $60k–$69k | Mental Health Therapy median $63k (middle half $62k–$67k)12 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$70k in purchasing power | Tennessee index 91.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in Tennessee | 167 active | 7,831 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 38% remote · 42% no call · 72% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
Location & Logistics
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$64k midpoint, that is roughly $3k–$5k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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