Youth Opportunity Investments logo
Youth Opportunity Investments
St. Augustine, Florida

Mental Health Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$50K - $55K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 4mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Mental Health Therapist – Youth Behavioral Health

Location: St. Augustine Youth Academy - St. Augustine, Florida

  • Job Type: Full-Time
  • Pay: $50,000 - $55,000 per year
  • About Youth Opportunity & St. Augustine Youth Academy

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for at-risk youth. St. Augustine Youth Academy in St. Augustine, Florida, is a secure 70-bed Youth Academy serving males ages 13 to 17, providing trauma-informed care for mental health and substance abuse treatment needs. The center integrates clinical therapy, education, restorative justice, therapeutic recreation, and life skills development.

Youth typically stay according to individual treatment progress, engaging in individual, family, and group therapy; victim impact awareness; pre-vocational preparation; and enrichment activities including art, music, and recreation. Small group living units and licensed dietitian-managed nutrition promote stabilization and successful community reintegration.

Position Summary – Mental Health Therapist Job in St. Augustine, Florida

We are hiring a Mental Health Therapist to join our clinical team in St. Augustine, Florida. This role is ideal for a therapist interested in youth behavioral health, juvenile care, or residential treatment. You will provide direct clinical care, support mental health needs, and assist in stabilizing youth throughout their treatment process.

  • 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?

  • Be part of a team making a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth
  • Gain experience in a growing field of youth mental health and residential care
  • Work in a secure, structured, and supportive treatment environment
  • Develop your skills through training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities
  • Mental Health Therapist Responsibilities
  • Coordinate the implementation of individualized mental health and substance abuse treatment plans
  • Provide ongoing evaluation, assessment, and counseling to youth and their families under supervision of a licensed mental health professional
  • Deliver individual, group, and family therapy sessions
  • Document clinical progress through weekly notes, treatment plans, and aftercare plans
  • Develop behavioral health discharge and aftercare plans
  • Assess family dynamics and create intervention plans
  • Collaborate with leadership to support compliance and performance improvement initiatives
  • Additional Duties
  • Participate in daily group routines and activities with youth and counselors
  • Model professional behavior and maintain high standards for youth engagement
  • Attend required training and professional development sessions
  • Report incidents and concerns per agency policy
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, rehabilitation, or related human services field from an accredited university

Two years’ experience working with children with serious emotional disturbances or substance abuse preferred but not required with appropriate degree

Ability to pass background check and drug screen

Preferred Experience

  • Experience with group therapy techniques
  • Strong clinical judgment and organizational skills
  • Willingness to work with youth in challenging situations

Other Requirements

Physical Demands: Must be in good physical health and emotionally stable. Able to move throughout the facility and actively participate in youth activities. Must be able to transport youth or staff. Free of communicable diseases as defined by the state.

Other: Must maintain a valid state driver’s license and meet state criminal background check requirements. Occasional irregular hours may be required.

How to Apply

Click “Apply Now” through Indeed to submit your application. Or visit youthopportunity.com to learn more about our mission and career opportunities.

Youth Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate and implement individualized mental health and substance abuse treatment plans for at-risk youth. Provide direct clinical care through individual, group, and family therapy sessions while documenting progress and developing aftercare plans.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related human services field. Preference is given to candidates with two years of experience working with children with serious emotional disturbances or substance abuse.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Individual TherapyClinical AssessmentTreatment PlanningCrisis InterventionCase Documentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Mental Health Therapist at Youth Opportunity Investments a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,961 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 32% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Florida is 103.4 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$53k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $51k in an average-cost state. 58.1% of Florida clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Florida has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$53k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$4k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

37 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution37 jobs · 30 employers

16
<$75k
10
$75k-95k
5
$95k-115k
6
$115k-135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs

401k / retirement match
88% this job
Sign-on bonus
46%
CME allowance
31%
Loan repayment
23%
PSLF eligible
15%

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

Clinical Director - LMFT, LCSW, LPCC

Seneca Family of Agencies · Salinas, California

$112k-$126k
#3

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

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#4

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$115k-$120k
+ 35 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 7.2
Better work-life than 80% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,961 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Youth Opportunity Investments logo

About Youth Opportunity Investments

Individual and Family Services
Carmel, IN
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, vision insurance
401(k) with up to 4% employer match, 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