Mental Health Program Therapist (Outpatient)

CounselorPer Diem

Listed compensation

$40-$45/hr

The week · per this posting

Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.

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

Posted 6mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: South Sound Behavioral Hospital - Lacey, WA 98503Position Type: Per DiemSalary Range: $40.00 - $45.00 HourlyJOIN OUR TEAM AS AN OUTPARIENT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM THERAPIST! PRN Your Work Matters How will you make a difference?

Are you a compassionate and skilled mental health professional who thrives in a dynamic, group‑based treatment environment? South Sound Behavioral Hospital is seeking an Outpatient Therapist dedicated to helping individuals build stability, resilience, and meaningful progress in their recovery journey.

As an Outpatient Therapist, you will play a central role in delivering structured, evidence‑based group therapy within our Intensive Outpatient Programs.

You will guide patients in developing therapeutic skills, support emotional and behavioral stabilization, and contribute to a safe, engaging, and growth‑oriented treatment environment. Your work will directly support our mission to address the bio‑psychosocial needs of every patient we serve. Primary

Responsibilities

Facilitate structured therapeutic groups using evidence‑based modalities (CBT, DBT, psychoeducation, skills training, relapse‑prevention, etc.). Promote engagement, collaboration, and problem‑solving within group settings to support patient progress and cohesion.

Assess and document patient participation, progress, and clinical needs in accordance with program and regulatory standards. Contribute to individualized treatment planning by providing timely clinical updates and observations to the interdisciplinary team.

Support crisis intervention and stabilization within the group milieu when needed. Utilize age‑ and population‑specific considerations when facilitating groups and developing interventions. Collaborate with internal and external providers to support continuity of care, referrals, and discharge planning.

Ensure measurable goals and interventions are clearly defined and aligned with patient needs. Maintain adherence to standards of care for diverse patient populations, including trauma‑informed and culturally responsive practices.

Respond promptly to patient and program needs to support smooth daily operations and high‑quality care delivery.

Qualifications – Your Experience Matters Education & Licensure: Master’s degree in Social Work or a related clinical mental health field, and must hold a valid Washington State clinical license (or be license‑eligible).

SUDP or SUDPT credential is preferred, especially for candidates facilitating dual‑diagnosis or substance‑use–focused IOP tracks. Experience: Minimum two years of experience in a psychiatric or behavioral health setting, with strong skills in group facilitation, crisis intervention, and clinical assessment.

Additional Skills: Flexibility in scheduling, including availability for swing shift coverage to support program needs. Commitment to professional development and ongoing learning.

Candidates are encouraged to pursue DBHR acknowledgements such as Mental Health Provider or Children’s Mental Health Specialist if eligible.

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 PRN position and the expected compensation range is $40.00 - $45.00. We’re eager to engage with all qualified candidates, and consideration will be provided to experience and skill level. Join us as our OP Program Therapist!

Position SummaryGet 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: 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 Outpatient Therapist will facilitate structured therapeutic groups using evidence-based modalities and promote patient engagement and collaboration. They will assess patient progress, contribute to treatment planning, and support crisis intervention as needed.

Requirements

Candidates must have a Master's degree in Social Work or a related field and hold a valid Washington State clinical license. A minimum of two years of experience in a psychiatric or behavioral health setting is required, along with strong skills in group facilitation and crisis intervention.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Evidence-Based TherapyCultural CompetenceTrauma-Informed CareDocumentation

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 16% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 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.

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Salary Distribution38 jobs · 33 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks38 jobs · 33 employers

401k / retirement match
87% this job
CME allowance
39%
Sign-on bonus
26%
Loan repayment
21%
PSLF eligible
13%

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 4.8
Better work-life than 40% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,035 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Lacey

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$481k
Typical market rent
$2,137/mo
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.

City-level figures. 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) + matching
Health insurance
100% company-paid life insurance
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
100% company-paid long term disability insurance
Paid time off
Paid holidays