PRIMARY THERAPIST

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$68k-$75k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Primary Function

  • Provide services planned to restore the client to optimum social and health adjustment
  • Perform intakes, evaluations, orientation, admissions, treatment planning, counseling, documentation, discharge planning, and referral of substance abuse patients
  • Develop and document individualized treatment plans that address the needs of the substance abuse patient population and refer clients to appropriate treatment modalities based on assessment
  • Work with physicians and other personnel in client evaluation and treatment to foster addiction recovery
  • Assist client and family through individual, group, family, and/or couples therapy
  • Maintain client records within the electronic health record
  • Assist in the completion of Utilization Reviews as needed with insurance companies to obtain authorizations for patients
  • Develop and facilitate behavioral health therapy group sessions and educational programs
  • Identify opportunities for program improvement and Quality Improvement
  • Participate in continuing education to improve skills and abilities and stay abreast of current technologies and practices
  • Ensures compliance with legal issues, including, but not limited to: patient confidentiality and risk management
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

  • Must be highly organized
  • Must possess Arizona State Licensure
  • Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or equivalent field of study.
  • One year of experience in mental health, substance abuse, and case management
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret emails, letters, policies, procedures, etc.
  • Must be willing to learn and ask questions, accept feedback, and be accountable
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm
  • Ability to manage priorities and workflow
  • Working knowledge of HIPAA and PII security requirements
  • Knowledge of substance treatment methodologies and therapy techniques
  • Ability to build rapport with clients
  • Self-motivated and self-directed
  • Team Player
  • High level of patience
  • Must have valid Arizona Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card
  • Must have a valid Driver's License
  • Must be 21 years of age or older
  • Must have Knowledge of Windows | Basic Email | Microsoft Word | Timekeeping software | Google & basic computer navigation skills.
  • Must hold an active CPR/First-Aid/AED certification
  • If applicable, must have one year of continuous sobriety
  • Must be able to pass a drug test as needed

Physical Demands

  • Must have reasonable ability to do the following:
  • Stand, walk, and sit during assigned shift hours
  • Be able to manually assess a patient as part of a physical exam
  • Reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
  • Speak and have access to the special senses within normal limits (hear, taste, smell, etc.) as it applies to patient care
  • Must be capable of lifting up to 20lbs
  • Maintain the ability to manually handle patient belongings with gloved hands
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Key Responsibilities

The primary therapist will provide comprehensive substance abuse treatment, including intake evaluations, individualized treatment planning, and various therapy modalities. They will also collaborate with medical personnel, maintain electronic health records, and participate in quality improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field and possess an active Arizona State Licensure. At least one year of experience in mental health or substance abuse, along with a valid Arizona Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card, is required.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingIndividual therapyGroup therapyFamily therapyCrisis interventionUtilization reviewHIPAA compliancePatient assessment

Addiction Medicine — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Addiction Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% are remote, 38% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Arizona is 100.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$71k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $71k in an average-cost state. 60.3% of Arizona clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Addiction Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Top Counselor Jobs

26 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution26 jobs · 21 employers

10
<$80k
3
$80k-95k
6
$95k-110k
5
$110k-125k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks25 jobs · 21 employers

401k / retirement match
88%
CME allowance
32% this job
Sign-on bonus
28%
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

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

$115k-$120k
+ 24 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Addiction Medicine (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,262 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Phoenix

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$406k≈ 6.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,574/mo≈ 28% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.3
State income tax
Up to 2.5%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Camelback Recovery Treatment Center logo

About Camelback Recovery Treatment Center

Mental Health Care
Phoenix, Arizona
11-50 employees