Mental Health Therapist ($2,000 SIGN ON BONUS)
Listed compensation
$52k-$64k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
$2000 SIGN ON BONUS + $500 RETENTION BONUS
If you are looking for a rewarding job where you can make a difference then take a look at KVC Kentucky and all the things we do! Are you called to help those struggling with substance abuse? You can help us combat the opioid epidemic in Kentucky with a career at KVC.
People matter, and that’s why we exist. By providing in-home behavioral healthcare, family preservation and reunification, foster care and youth substance abuse treatment, KVC Kentucky touches the lives of over 12,000 children and families each year. Our services are in-home, strengths-based, and driven by a focus on the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of the child and family.
KVC is accredited by The Joint Commission, considered a gold standard in healthcare. Our 200+ passionate, dedicated staff working from 8 locations across the state help strengthen individuals and families each day. Join us in enriching and enhancing the lives of children and families.
Requirements
Education
Master’s Degree in Social Work (or a related field)
Licensure/Certification
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance; Professional license as determined by degree (ie CSW, LPCA)
Experience
No previous clinical experience required but experience working with multi-problem families, familiarity with crisis intervention, and knowledge of developing behaviorally specific goals are helpful.
Preferred Experience/Skills
Requires Intermediate computer skills in typing/keyboarding, Microsoft Word and Excel programs as well as Outlook email
Position Summary
The FFPRS Clinical Specialist will provide comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, and clinical services in accordance with FFPRS programming, agency standards and Family First approved evidence-based practices.
The Clinical Specialist should be proficient in conducting interviews and diagnostic assessments, administering, and scoring psychometric assessments, and providing ongoing treatment utilizing KVC KY evidence-based practice models outlined in the FFPSA and Kentucky state plan.
Clinical Specialists must participate in initial and ongoing training and consultation activities as required to implement evidence-based practices and must adhere to the requirements and fidelity monitoring activities outlined by the model.
Clinical Specialists must be willing to provide assessment and treatment services in the home, school, and community as well as via telehealth in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based manner.
The Clinical Specialist must have a master's degree in Social Work (or other related field) with the ability to provide clinical services in Kentucky. The Clinical Specialist must be able to be independently licensed or provisionally licensed and under the supervision of a licensed provider.
KVC employees are expected to work with children and families, community partners and each other using KVC values: The heart of our work is helping people. Our character is built on authenticity and compassion. Family connection drives our culture. Collaboration fuels our improvement.
Urgency and innovation mark our approach. Diverse perspectives are key to our progress. Additionally, staff members are expected to be a role model for children and families, be solutions focused and build upon their strengths.
KVC employees are also expected to maintain knowledge of, and adhere to, all company policies and procedures.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Other duties may be assigned according to qualification of staff and development of programs.
Direct Service
- Utilize statewide agency-approved evidence-based practice models under FFPRS contract to provide direct services in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based manner to families referred to Family First Preservation & Reunification Services targeted at reducing risks, improving child well-being, and preserving child placement with the family, as identified in the family’s service plan.
- Complete face-to-face intake with client/family/caregiver according to program guidelines and initiate comprehensive assessment.
- Provide screening and assessment services, including comprehensive assessment of family functioning, risks, and individual service needs, according to program guidelines; assessment shall result in determination of inclusion or exclusion for appropriate program and services.
- Identify treatment needs, formulate treatment recommendations, and develop a comprehensive assessment-driven treatment plan directed by program guidelines (e. g., medical necessity in BHS), best practice, and appropriate level of care recommendations.
- Review relevant records and collaborate with treatment providers and other collateral sources as part of overall assessment in order to identify client/family needs and include in treatment recommendations.
- Utilize evidence-based treatment modalities to provide therapeutic services in accordance to the assessment-driven, individualized treatment plan.
- Collaborate with the treatment team and family/client to develop a treatment/service plan to meet identified needs according to program guidelines.
- Maintain regular communication with treatment team regarding family’s participation, safety risks, identified needs, and progress in treatment.
- Develop and update safety plans, as needed, to address safety risks for the client and /or family according to program guidelines.
- Administer the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to client and/or family members according to agency policy to assess risk for suicide and take appropriate steps to mitigate identified risks.
- Participate in collaborative team meetings with clients and their families as well as other treatment providers and community partners according to program guidelines in order to meet client/family treatment needs and develop treatment recommendations.
- Provide services that utilize agency models including evidence-based practices and clinical decision-making tools to provide clinical services to clients and/or families according to program guidelines.
- Collaborate with community mental health providers as needed to ensure continuity of care and provision of mental health services when either client/family needs require an increased or decreased level of care.
- Participate in case consultation and/or team meetings, as scheduled by program administrators, to review clients and staff high risk cases.
- Complete 3, 6, and 12 month aftercare contacts and document in ChartOnline within agency and contractual timeframes for assigned families in Family First Preservation and Reunification Services (FFPRS) program.
- Regularly travel to client/family homes and community locations in order to participate in home visits, community partner contacts, team meetings and provide therapy in the client/family natural setting. Occasional travel for training and other meetings.
- Maintain flexible schedule based on needs and availability of clients. Work time may include evenings and weekends.
- Participate in on-call rotation according to program guidelines.
- Provide mentoring to students and/or new hires as assigned.
Continuing Education, Supervision, & Professional Development
Create an Individual Learning Plan with Associate Director to identify required and needed areas of training in addition to areas of interest to enhance service delivery to families and clients receiving KVC services.
Attend assigned trainings according to program guidelines.
Attend training in trauma-informed care within 6 months of hire.
Complete training in North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS) and other assessment tools and fidelity measures necessary to complete job functions.
Attend training in state-approved Family First evidence-based practices as required by agency and participate in all training related activities including, but not limited to, consultations and case presentations.
Attend training in EBP fidelity measures necessary to complete EBP supervision, coaching, consultation, or to complete EBPmonitoring tools as required by the EBP or agency model implementation.
Attend meetings, seminars, and other educational functions of the agency as identified by supervisor.
Participate in individual and/or group supervision as required by licensing board.
Obtain 40 CEUs per year, including 20 by June 30.
Complete assigned UKG Pro Learning courses by given deadlines.
Complete all CEUs required to maintain professional license, as applicable.
Maintain professional licensing and certification as identified by the supervisor or agency director and state regulations.
Record Keeping & Documentation
Maintain and submit records in ChartOnline (electronic records system) for the purpose of quality assurance, documentation of service delivery, and agency billing. Documentation can include, but may not be limited to, the following: screenings; psychosocial and family assessments; treatment/service plans; progress notes; non-billable contacts; aftercare plans; and discharge/termination summaries, in accordance with all applicable regulations, contract and grant requirements.
Document all referrals made to outside agencies and client/family compliance with these referrals.
Utilize collaborative documentation to complete service tickets and other documentation and forms while in session with clients and/or guardians to ensure client involvement with treatment.
Complete program-specific case documentation in accordance with agency policy and contractual timeframes. Ensure accuracy of all documentation completed.
Complete Service Tickets and other documentation in ChartOnline in accordance with agency and program deadlines.
Upload case-related documentation to ChartOnline in accordance with agency requirements.
Complete all needed Managed Care Organization, Insurance or Payor documentation needed to ensure approved service delivery or appeal
Key Responsibilities
The Clinical Specialist provides comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, and evidence-based therapeutic services to families in their homes, schools, and community settings. They are responsible for maintaining accurate clinical documentation, collaborating with treatment teams, and ensuring the safety and well-being of clients through trauma-informed care.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 20% have no call, 74% require no weekends.
Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $52k–$64k | Mental Health Therapy median $75k (middle half $64k–$84k)305 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$64k in purchasing power | Kentucky index 90.2 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in Kentucky | 112 active | 7,579 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 46% remote · 20% no call · 74% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | $2k sign-on | Kentucky counselor listings (all specialties): 15% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 14% offer loan repayment165 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Mental Health Therapy listings | 2,476 in the last 30 days | 1,365 the 30 days before (+81%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Mental Health Therapy pay trend | −1.8% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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