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Westcare
Pembroke Pines, Florida

Outpatient Lead Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

Salary Range: $58K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Details: Job Location: Pembroke Pines - 1633 Poinciana Drive - Pembroke Pines, FL, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Graduate Degree, Salary Range: $57500.00 - $57500.00Salary/year, Position Summary: The person in this position will be responsible for planning and coordinating the clinical Substance Abuse/Mental health services for the outpatient population.

Conducts admissions for consumers referred from outside agencies. Conducts assessments for consumers and provides individual and family therapy. Provides direct supervision to staff assigned to programs.

Essential Job Functions: Conduct admission and Biopsychosocial assessments using standardized Biopsychosocial assessment designated by the Managing Entity (ME).

Prepare and review Interpretive Summaries to ensure they are based on information obtained from the assessment Develop Wellness and Recovery Plans in collaboration with the consumer Conduct monthly Wellness and Recovery Plan Reviews with the consumer Document all clinical services and activities in accord with licensing, Medicaid, and Joint Commission standards and agency policy and procedure Administer verbal reprimands and learning experiences to consumers according to agency's policies and procedures Participate in the discharge planning process for the consumer and family Prepare Discharge Summaries, as needed.

Write monthly Progress Reports regarding assigned consumers for courts, probation departments, Department of Corrections, and employers as necessary Consult with Program Coordinator and Clinical Director before the termination of a consumer from treatment Provide referral and linkage for ancillary services for the consumer and family, as needed Provide in-home/on-site individual therapy, as needed.

Provide in-home/on-site group therapy, as needed. Provides therapy to additional populations, as needed. Facilitates case conference Provide specialized staff development and training. Ensures staff receives appropriate supervision and required training on evidence based model and WestCare’s clinical data system.

Assigns primary therapist with all intakes for consumers participating in program. Provides direct clinical and treatment supervision in coordination with Clinical Director. Arranges for staff development, and training in coordination with Clinical Director.

Assists in the daily operations of the programs and provides specialized leadership under the supervision of the Clinical Director. In coordination with the Clinical Director attend meetings with community partners. Generates monthly staff production reports.

Receives schedules and monitors the intake process of all referrals from outside agencies. Maintains relationships with referring and supporting agencies and represent the agency at various community meetings as requested. Provides administrative leadership and supervision for outpatient services.

Plans discharges/transfers to ensure appropriateness and continuity of care for transfers within and discharges from the program.

Understands HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality Participate in performance improvement activities Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation. Perform any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications: Certifications/Licensures: Certification as a CAP or MCAP, in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the Florida Certification Board is preferred at time of hire; Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently Certified; Licensure as a LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT in good standing by an agency approved and recognized by the state of Florida is required at time of hire Education: Graduation from an accredited masters program with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is required Experience and Competencies: Two years of previously supervised work experience in providing individual/family therapy is preferred Bilingual is preferred.

Must have reliable means of transportation Must have familiarity with Miami-Dade County Maintains confidential files and records.

The ability to determine eligibility of a consumer’s admission The ability to use DSM IV/5 diagnostic criteria to provide substance use, mental health, and behavioral diagnoses The ability to identify and evaluate an individual’s strengths, barriers, problems, and needs for the development of a Wellness and Recovery Plan The ability to evaluate the impact of substance use and mental health problems on the consumer’s functioning in major life areas Knowledge of the inter-relationship among substance use, mental health, and primary care disorders.

The ability to conceptualize cases within a developmental framework for the purpose of treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and discharge planning Knowledge in the understanding of Motivational Interviewing; Motivational Enhancement Therapy; Comprehensive, Continuous Integrated System of Care (CCISC); and Trauma-Informed Care Demonstrate proficiency is the administration and interpretation of the below listed assessments, as needed: SMQ10 PCL-5 ASAM Confidence Questionnaire Child/Adult Behavioral Checklist Overdose screening Sissar/Cfars/Mental health outcome GPRA Locus The ability to provide Wellness and Recovery Planning through the identification and prioritization of problems needing resolution; the development of goals and objectives for the consumer which are expressed in behavioral and measurable terms; and the ability to negotiate goals and objectives with the consumer and the family The ability to counsel individuals and families in the achievement of objectives through the exploration of a problem and its ramifications; the examination of attitudes and feelings; the consideration of alternative solutions; and decision making The ability to coordinate and integrate multiple services, as well as interface and communicate with internal and external providers Ability to use trauma informed care principles including ensuring consumer safety, preventing/avoiding re-traumatization, maximizing trustworthiness, enhancing consumer choice, maximizing collaboration, and emphasizing empowerment Ability to identify and describe key signs, symptoms, impact and manifestations of trauma Aware of the differences between trauma informed and trauma-specific services Understands the bidirectional relationships among substance use and mental disorders and trauma Understands the differences among various kinds of abuse and trauma, including: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; domestic violence; experiences of war for both combat veterans and survivors of war; natural disasters; and community violence The ability to identify crises when they surface; mitigate or resolve the immediate problem; and de-escalate the situation, including the ability to develop Safety Plans, as needed The ability to provide information to individuals and families concerning alcohol or other drug use, mental health problems, and the available services and resources The ability to identify the needs of a consumer and family that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer/family to utilize the support systems and community resources available The ability to write assessments, Wellness and Recovery Plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other consumer related data as evidenced through the clinical records Knowledge and application of developmental theories Knowledge and application of developmental psychopathology Understanding of family dynamics, family roles, and family structure Understanding and application of federal, state, local and agency confidentiality rules and professional standards of conduct Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities Understanding of issues in prevention, intervention and treatment.

Understands that different groups have different perceptions of health, wellness, behavioral health, and preventive health services Demonstrates respect for individual’s cultural and ethnic values when conducting assessments, developing Wellness and Recovery Plans, and providing services Demonstrates ability to work effectively with staff and populations Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values Knowledge of Incident Reporting Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality Familiarity with WestCare services and programs Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.

Maintains a good attendance record.

Observes working hours Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor Works independently with minimal supervision Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job Work time is always productive Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.

Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time. Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare. Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision Maintains a positive attitude toward work Ensures and maintains a safe working environment. Work area is clean and orderly.

Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.

Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures Presents a positive personal image Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.

Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite Ability utilize internal electronic health record software Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.

Working Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an office or outpatient treatment setting.

Key Responsibilities

The Lead Therapist plans and coordinates clinical substance abuse and mental health services for the outpatient population. They provide direct clinical supervision to staff, conduct assessments, and facilitate individual and family therapy sessions.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a master's degree in a related field and possess licensure as an LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT in Florida. Two years of supervised experience in providing individual or family therapy is preferred.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Substance abuse counselingMental health assessmentCrisis interventionCase managementHIPAA complianceElectronic health records

Counselor Career Context

In Florida, the Mental Health Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$70k (65 salary observations; 166 listings), vs ~$76k nationally (1,447 salary observations; 3,678 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-12-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Florida is 103.4 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$58k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $56k 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 ~$58k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$4k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,029 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Pembroke Pines

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$548k≈ 9.5× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,608/mo≈ 54% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
30 min
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

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

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About Westcare

Individual and Family Services
Henderson, NV
1,001-5,000 employees