YMCA of Metropolitan Washington logo
YMCA of Metropolitan Washington
Silver Spring, Maryland

YMCA YFS Mental Health Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$75k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is a leading nonprofit organization that has a strong commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.

Position: Mental Health Therapist Salary: $75,000

YMCA Youth & Family Services is seeking a dynamic self-motivated clinician to join our mission to promote strong kids, strong families and strong communities. You will become part of a highly skilled team of professionals making a difference working with youths and families in the community to remove barriers to mental health treatment.

About the Job

The Mental Health Therapist (MHT) is responsible for providing therapeutic intervention to individual youth, families and groups. This is a 12-month, school-based position working within Montgomery County Public Schools serving elementary, middle or high school aged youth.

Our clinicians work closely with educators, guidance counselors, school social workers and community providers, as well as other YMCA staff, to provide optimal care and treatment for the youth and families. The MHT works within a team of providers to support our families.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct clinical evaluation, bio-psycho-social assessments, diagnostic impressions/diagnoses and treatment planning

  • Provide individual, family and group counseling to a caseload of 19-21
  • Provide crisis intervention as needed to youth
  • Lead or co-lead psycho-educational, developmental and therapy groups (child, teen and parent)
  • Provide classroom observations when indicated
  • Consult with parents, school staff, and medical providers regarding child’s progress
  • Attend school and parent meetings as needed (IEP, 504, EMT/ARD/suspension, etc.)

Offer Appropriate Assistance During Crises

Support the YMCA Cause of strengthening community through participation in Y sponsored events, trainings, and meetings throughout the region

Qualifications and Skills

  • Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy
  • Current Maryland licensure as LMSW, LCSW-C, LGPC, LCPC, LGMFT, LCMFT or Psych Associate

Knowledge of evidence-based models of treatment (i. e. CBT, DBT, Child Centered Play Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, etc.)

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Working Conditions

  • MHTs work on site in MCPS school building as12-month employees
  • MHT must have the ability to drive between sites as needed (mileage reimbursed) and access to a vehicle

MHTs must work when school is in session, but also have flexibility to accommodate parent schedules for family therapy, consultation etc. during evenings or other hours when needed

We Offer the Following Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package
  • Benefits (health, vision, dental, STD, LTD, life insurance)
  • Free YMCA full membership for employee and family
  • Liability Insurance paid by employer
  • Continuing Education (CEUs) paid by employer
  • Weekly supervision for licensure paid by employer
  • Manageable caseload (19-21)
  • Regular clinical and team meetings for collaboration and support

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is an equal opportunity employer and values a range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We strive to be a welcoming organization where all staff, members, and communities feel respected, supported, and that they belong.

Key Responsibilities

The Mental Health Therapist provides therapeutic interventions including individual, family, and group counseling to youth within school settings. They also conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment plans, and collaborate with school staff and parents to support student progress.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy. A current Maryland licensure such as LMSW, LCSW-C, LGPC, LCPC, LGMFT, or LCMFT is required.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Individual counselingFamily counselingPsycho-educational groupsClassroom observation

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 20% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

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

The cost-of-living index for Maryland is 105.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$75k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $71k in an average-cost state. 62.9% of Maryland clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

35 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution35 jobs · 29 employers

11
<$80k
9
$80k-95k
6
$95k-110k
7
$120k
2
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs

401k / retirement match
93% this job
CME allowance
48% this job
Sign-on bonus
22%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Mental Health Therapist

Brightways Counseling Group · Portland, Oregon

$131k
#2

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

LifeStance Health · Madison, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
+ 33 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 2.8
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.

Living in Silver Spring

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$526k≈ 7.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,962/mo≈ 31% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
34 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington logo

About YMCA of Metropolitan Washington

Wellness and Fitness Services
Washington, District of Columbia
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive compensation package
Benefits (health, vision, dental, STD, LTD, life insurance)
Free YMCA full membership for employee and family
Liability Insurance paid by employer
Continuing Education (CEUs) paid by employer
Weekly supervision for licensure paid by employer
Manageable caseload (19-21)
Regular clinical and team meetings for collaboration and support