Program Therapist (Outpatient)

CounselorIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$75k-$102k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: South Sound Behavioral Hospital - Lacey, WA 98503Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $75,000.00 - $102,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: AnyJOIN OUR TEAM AS A MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM THERAPIST! Inpatient Day Shift Your Work Matters How will you make a difference?

Are you a compassionate and skilled mental health professional looking to make a meaningful impact on individuals' emotional well-being? Your opportunity to shine is here at South Sound Behavioral Hospital!

As a Program Therapist, you will play a vital role in our mission to address the bio-psychosocial needs of our patients. This position involves performing social services functions, guiding patients in accessing therapeutic treatment skills to achieve optimal emotional health.

Your responsibilities will include offering basic consultation, delivering specialized clinical social work services, crisis intervention, and conducting short-term and long-term family therapy.

We are seeking a dedicated individual who can provide information and referrals as needed, contributing to the overall well-being of our patients and their families.

If you are ready to bring your therapeutic expertise to a dynamic and caring team, join us at Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital, where your skills will be instrumental in helping individuals achieve their optimal level of emotional health.

Conduct individual/couples/family counseling with a focus on engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving. Collaborate with community agencies for patient assessment and services. Evaluate and document the effectiveness of interventions and patient responses.

Assess psychosocial, educational, and behavioral functioning of patients and document updates. Utilize age-specific considerations in treatment planning. Respond promptly to social work service requests. Contribute to the effective functioning of the patient's program and meet social work needs.

Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings. Ensure specific, measurable goals and interventions are defined. Adhere to specific standards for the care of diverse patient populations. Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric emergencies.

Your Experience Matters What we’re looking for: Education & Licensure: Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a clinical-related mental health field. Valid Washington state license in Social Work or clinical-related mental health field.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience in family and group therapies, crisis intervention, and treatment skills; and have strong clinical assessment skills preferred.

Additional Skill Requirements: The Program Therapist role requires candidates to acquire CPR certification and crisis intervention/management training within 10 days of employment to participate in restraining procedures. Flexibility in working hours is essential to meet program needs.

Additionally, candidates are encouraged to obtain acknowledgements from the Department of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR), such as Mental Health Provider and Children’s Mental Health Specialist, if eligible.

This position demands a commitment to professional development and a willingness to adapt to the diverse and dynamic needs of the program.

Your Care Matters What we provide for our team: 401(k) + matching Health insurance 100% company-paid life insurance coverage up to 2x your annual salary Vision insurance Dental insurance 100% company-paid long term disability insurance Paid time off Paid holidays Cafeteria on site Employee engagement events Employee assistance program Employee recognition program Free parking Disclaimer: Benefits are subject to change at the discretion of South Sound Behavioral Hospital.

Compensation

This is a full-time position and the expected compensation range is $75,000.00 - $102,000.00 annually. We’re eager to engage with all qualified candidates, and consideration will be provided to experience and skill level. Join us as our Program Therapist!

Qualifications

Get to know us Outstanding Care, Compassionate People, Unparalleled Service Welcome to South Sound Behavioral Hospital (SSBH), where passion meets purpose in the realm of mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

Our 138-bed facility located in Lacey, WA, SSBH is the newest behavioral health facility in the area equipped with cutting-edge safety features to ensure a secure and supportive environment for both our employees and our patients.

At SSBH, our expert team, including licensed psychiatrists, compassionate nurses, skilled therapists, and adept technicians, is united by a singular commitment — to deliver exceptional care to every individual, regardless of their financial circumstances.

We offer specialized programs to create a haven for patients to embark on their healing journey in utmost comfort. Join us in our transformative mission to redefine mental healthcare through person-centered care.

Here, your unique skills and boundless compassion have the power to make a profound impact on the lives of those in need. If you are ready to contribute to a community that values excellence and empathy, seize this opportunity to apply and become a catalyst for positive change at South Sound Behavioral Hospital.

To learn more about SSBH, visit us at: https://www.southsoundbehavioralhospital.com/ TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE POSITIVE I.M.P.A.C.T.S. Individuals Maintaining Positive Attitude and Commitment To Service ____________ At South Sound Behavioral Hospital, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.

Key Responsibilities

The Program Therapist will perform social services functions, including conducting individual, couples, and family counseling to address patients' bio-psychosocial needs. They will also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop treatment plans and provide crisis intervention in psychiatric emergencies.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Social Work or a related mental health field and possess a valid Washington state license. A minimum of two years of experience in a psychiatric health care facility is required, along with strong clinical assessment skills.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Group therapyPsychosocial assessmentMental health counselingCase managementInterdisciplinary collaborationPsychiatric emergency responseDocumentation

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 54% are remote, 22% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$89k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $83k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$89k midpoint, that is roughly $4k–$6k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

29 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution29 jobs · 22 employers

9
<$90k
8
$90k-110k
7
$110k-130k
4
$130k-150k
1
$151k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks25 jobs · 22 employers

401k / retirement match
92% this job
CME allowance
48%
Sign-on bonus
40%
Loan repayment
20%
Relocation assistance
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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#3

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.3this job 4.8
Better work-life than 40% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,885 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends

Living in Lacey

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$481k≈ 6.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,137/mo≈ 34% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
25 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.7
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

South Sound Behavioral Hospital logo

About South Sound Behavioral Hospital

Hospitals and Health Care
Marysville, Washington
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

401(k) with matching
Health insurance
100% company-paid life insurance
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
100% company-paid long-term disability insurance
Paid time off
Paid holidays