Program Therapist
Listed compensation
$52k-$56k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an
Therapist
Program Overview
The goal of SBYS is to help youth successfully navigate their adolescent years, acquire the skills needed to obtain employment or continue their education, and graduate healthy and drug-free. The program implements prevention and intervention programs that are comprehensive, multifaceted, and build on the strengths of young people and assist them in achieving their educational and life goals.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Participate in co-facilitating recreational activities such as hiking, kayaking, trips to museums and other educational or culturally enriching destinations to promote healthy youth development.
- Conduct intakes, develop treatment plans, complete assessments and other relevant documentation within appropriate timelines for students who meet the criteria for a clinical level of treatment.
- Provide education to students, family members, and faculty on topics including, but not limited to: life skills, pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, anger management, mental wellness, problem solving, decision making, nutrition, and STD/HIV prevention.
- Provide crisis intervention and coordinate referrals with the screening department or substance use treatment when needed interventions are beyond the scope of SBYS
- Interact with students during lunch time recreational activities in order to establish caring relationships.
- Input contact data into New Jersey's Management and Information System to maintain current statistics and monitor contract required levels of service.
- Advocate for students' needs and connect youth and families to community resources. Coordinate and work closely with the Guidance Department, Child Study Team, teachers, administration, and all other staff working to support a student's success.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Competencies
- Interpersonal Communication
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Cultural Competence & Adaptation
- Screening & Assessment
- Care Planning & Care Coordination
- Intervention
- Systems Oriented Practice
- Practice-Based Learning & Quality Improvement
- Informatics
Education, Work Experience And/or Skills Requirements
- Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or related field and experience working with youth and families.
- Must have and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
- Must be able to exercise independent thinking and good judgment under all circumstances.
- Must be able to analyze work, set goals, develop plans, and utilize time effectively and efficiently.
Physical Requirements
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Repeated motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
- The employee must occasionally move about to accomplish tasks, adjust or move objects up to 20 pounds.
- Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information
- Ability to drive a vehicle
Additional Information
- Base Rate: $52,000-$56,000 based on license
- Sign-on Bonus: $1,000
- Schedule: Days 9a-5p or 8:30a-4:30p, some nights and weekends
What We Provide
- An Innovative culture that encourages you to grow and learn with the agency
- Mission-driven core
- Health, Vision and Dental coverage for you and your family
- 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 5% of comp
- Generous time-off
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Year-end bonuses
Disclaimer
This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. The workforce member is expected to adhere to all policies of Acenda.
- Department/Program
- School-Based Youth Services - Lower Cape May Regional High School (SBYSLCM)
Key Responsibilities
The Program Therapist will facilitate recreational and educational activities to promote healthy youth development and provide clinical interventions, including treatment planning and crisis support. They will also collaborate with school staff and community resources to advocate for student needs and maintain accurate service statistics.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field and possess experience working with youth and families. A valid driver's license and the ability to exercise independent judgment are also required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- 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, 40% have no call, 74% require no weekends.
Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.9% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $52k–$56k | Mental Health Therapy median $70k (middle half $60k–$75k)13 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$50k in purchasing power | New Jersey index 108.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in New Jersey | 195 active | 7,906 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 38% remote · 40% no call · 74% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | $1k sign-on | New Jersey Counselor listings: 10% state a sign-on bonus (median $6k) · 5% offer loan repayment333 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Mental Health Therapy listings | 2,509 in the last 30 days | 1,511 the 30 days before (+66%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Mental Health Therapy pay trend | −2.9% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Top Counselor Jobs
33 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
33 jobs · 23 employersAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
20 jobsShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC, LMFT, LCSW)
LifeStance Health · Brookfield, Wisconsin
Licensed Counselor
Quinault Community Health & Quinault Wellness Cent · Aberdeen, Washington
Military and Family Life Counselor - Adults or Children
$60k-$100kMilitary and Family Life Adult Counselor
$60k-$100k