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Nec
Lexington, Kentucky

Independent Contractor - Therapist

Counselor / TherapistContract

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Role Overview

Necco is seeking Licensed Clinicians to provide therapeutic services to clients on an independent contract basis. The Independent Contract Therapist will provide clinical services consistent with their professional licensure and applicable regulatory requirements.

Services may be provided in office settings, schools, community environments, or client homes depending on clinical need and program structure. The Contractor exercises independent professional judgment in delivering clinical services and determining appropriate therapeutic interventions, subject to applicable laws, payer requirements, and program guidelines.

Contracted Clinical Services

The Contractor may provide the following services as part of this agreement:

  • Conduct clinical assessments and intake evaluations consistent with professional licensure.
  • Provide individual, family, or group therapy services as clinically appropriate.
  • Develop treatment plans and therapeutic interventions based on independent clinical judgment and client diagnosis.
  • Monitor client progress and adjust treatment approaches as clinically indicated.
  • Coordinate with caregivers, foster parents, school personnel, or other treatment providers as clinically appropriate.
  • Provide recommendations regarding client care, progress, and barriers to treatment.
  • Maintain clinical records necessary to meet regulatory, licensing, and payer requirements.

Documentation and Billing Support

To support regulatory and payer compliance, the Contractor will:

  • Complete required documentation for services rendered in accordance with Medicaid, payer, and regulatory requirements.
  • Utilize Necco’s electronic health record system for documentation related to contracted services.
  • Submit documentation necessary to support billing and prior authorization requirements when applicable.
  • Maintain accurate clinical records supporting the services provided.

Risk Management and Client Safety

The Contractor will exercise professional clinical judgment to support client

safety and well-being, including:

  • Developing safety plans when clinically appropriate.
  • Communicating critical incidents or safety concerns in accordance with regulatory or contractual reporting requirements.
  • Maintaining compliance with applicable professional and ethical standards.

Professional Responsibility

The Contractor is responsible for maintaining professional standards and qualifications necessary to provide clinical services, including:

  • Maintaining an active professional license and complying with all licensing requirements.
  • Completing required continuing education necessary to maintain licensure.
  • Providing services consistent with applicable ethical and professional standards.

Independent Contractor Status

  • The Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee of Necco.

Nothing in this description or related agreements shall be interpreted to create an employer-employee relationship.

  • The Contractor retains control over the manner and means by which services are performed, including clinical judgment and scheduling of services,

Subject To

  • applicable laws and regulations
  • payer requirements
  • professional licensing standards
  • mutually agreed-upon service expectations

The Contractor is not eligible for employee benefits and is responsible for their own tax obligations and professional expenses.

Contractor Requirements

Contractors Providing Services Under This Agreement Must

  • Maintain active professional licensure in the applicable state.
  • $1M Occurrence / $3M Aggregate Professional Liability Insurance (Please consult with your Insurance Agent)
  • $100K Bodily Injury / $300K Bodily Injury Per Accident / $100K Property Damage Auto Insurance Coverage (Please consult with your Insurance Agent)
  • Valid Driver’s License (Required)
  • Successfully complete required background screenings consistent with regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain the professional skills necessary to perform clinical services, including the ability to utilize electronic health record systems for documentation purposes.

State-Specific Licensing Requirements

West Virginia

  • Master’s degree and professional licensure (LSW with contingency of obtaining LGSW, LCSW, LICSW, LPCC, or LPC).

Kentucky

  • Advanced degree in a human services discipline with experience in mental health treatment of children with emotional or behavioral disabilities and their families.
  • Possession of a valid Mental Health Practitioner’s License (LPCA, LPCC, CSW, LCSW, LPA, LMFT, or other board-approved licensure).

Ohio

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a human services discipline with relevant experience in mental health treatment.
  • Valid Ohio Mental Health Practitioner’s License (BSW, LSW, LPCC, or LISW)

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Necco values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are welcomed. We believe a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to serve the communities in which we operate.

Key Responsibilities

The therapist will conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment plans, and provide individual, family, or group therapy services. They are also responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records and coordinating care with relevant stakeholders.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a valid professional mental health license in the state of practice and possess professional liability and auto insurance. A valid driver's license and the ability to pass background screenings are also required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual therapyFamily therapyTreatment planningSafety planningCase coordination

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 26% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.9% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost of livingKentucky index 90.2US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Kentucky127 active7,925 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 42% remote · 26% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedKentucky Counselor listings: 19% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 12% offer loan repayment182 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Therapy listings2,511 in the last 30 days1,528 the 30 days before (+64%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Mental Health Therapy pay trend−1.9% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top contract/1099 Counselor Jobs

46 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

38 jobs · 35 employers
12
<$70k
18
$70k-90k
3
$90k-110k
5
$110k-130k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

34 jobs
401k / retirement match
82%
CME allowance
53% this job
Sign-on bonus
41%
Loan repayment
29%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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$74k-$126k
#2

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$92k-$125k
#3

Mental Health Therapist - Portland

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#4

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

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+ 44 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 4.8
Better work-life than 40% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,910 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

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About Nec

Civic and Social Organizations
Cincinnati, Ohio
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Independent contractor status
Flexible scheduling
Clinical autonomy

Living in Lexington

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$312k
Typical market rent
$1,631/mo
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.9
State income tax
Up to 4.5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026).

BEA 2024 · Lexington-Fayette, KY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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