Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey logo
Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey
Lakewood Township, New Jersey

THERAPIST - ADULT OUTPATIENT PROGRAM

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$68K - $70K

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

If you are looking to make an impact by helping others, then Preferred Behavioral Health Group is the place for you! By joining our award-winning team, you will become part of the premier behavioral health organization in New Jersey.

PBHG is a dynamic and innovative non-profit organization that was proudly named one of "THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN NEW JERSEY" for 2024 and 2025 by NJBIZ! Our mission is to change lives and save lives across the state of New Jersey through a Trauma Informed Care culture.

Our staff is at the core of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a diverse team where employees feel a sense of belonging and are valued for their individual contributions. We encourage staff development and embrace a growth mindset. If you are interested in pursuing an exciting and rewarding career while being part of a recognized “Best Place to Work”, please submit your resume today for consideration!

Job Title:  Therapist LCSW / LPC

Program:  OPD - Adult Outpatient Department

location:  700 Airport Road, Lakewood New Jersey 08701

Position Type:  Full Time

Salary Range $68,000.00 - $70,000.00

Great Time Off Benefits

Join an Amazing Organization Program

Job Description/Summary

The Therapist is Licensed person through New Jersey, who is recovery oriented in their trauma-informed approach to care. This individual possesses experience in treating adults and exhibits an understanding of evidenced based practice. The Therapist participates in the multidisciplinary team and seeks opportunities to learn and develop clinical skills.  Working fully in office with clients.

Responsibilities

  • Conducts thorough intake assessments, formulates diagnosis based on clinical presentation, and determines appropriate level of care.
  • Outlines preliminary treatment plans that address the immediate needs of the client. Recommendations include identification of individual needs and plan outlines how these will be addressed.
  • Facilitates individual, family and group therapy. Begins and ends group on time, prepares any materials as required, initiates new or improved group processes based on needs of the population.
  • Provides case management as needed including timely and effective advocacy, consultation, service coordination, and phone contact to community resources and related professionals. Documentation reflects all contacts made with and/or on behalf of each client.
  • Responds to mental health crises as needed, i. e. walk-ins, access calls
  • Develops Individualized treatment plans and review of client progress within required timeframes. Problem List specifies problems in current, behavioral/observable terms and reflects integration of needs identified.
  • Collaborates with Treatment Team to identify clients that are at risk for discharge based on lack of contact, creatively engages vulnerable populations, and makes at least 3 attempts to engage client in accordance with policy, and beyond in high-risk cases.
  • Participates in performance improvement activities as assigned.
  • Completes all medical record documentation within 24 hours.
  • Consults with Leadership to determine schedule that meets the needs of the population served.
  • Participates in supervision with clinical supervisor weekly, and attends treatment team meetings, including agency-wide clinical case reviews.
  • Complies with NJ state regulations outlining requirements to practice with a provisional mental health license.

Competencies

  • Bilingual in Spanish is preferred/plus.
  • Demonstrates the ability to follow policies and procedures as outlined in the HR Manual and Employee Handbook.

Qualifications

  • Education: Master’s degree in social work, mental health counseling, or another recognized mental health discipline
  • Licensure: NJ licensure as LCSW, LSW, LPC, LAC or LMFT
  • Experience: Working with adults with a wide range of emotional and behavioral needs

Comprehensive Benefits Package

o Medical, Dental and Prescription Insurance

o 403(b) Retirement Plan

o Generous Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

o Long Term Disability Insurance

o Life and AD&D Insurance

o Employee Assistance Program

o Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account

o Voluntary Benefits, such as Vision Insurance, Aflac, Pet Insurance

o Staff Training and Development Opportunities

o Employee Referral Bonus program

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Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Treatment PlanningIndividual TherapyFamily TherapyCrisis InterventionEvidence Based PracticeSpanish BilingualismClinical Documentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates THERAPIST - ADULT OUTPATIENT PROGRAM at PREFERRED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OF NEW JERSEY a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,885 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 26% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for New Jersey is 108.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$69k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 63.8% of New Jersey clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

35 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution35 jobs · 23 employers

8
<$75k
6
$75k-90k
8
$90k-105k
3
$105k-120k
10
$120k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs · 23 employers

401k / retirement match
97% this job
CME allowance
46%
Sign-on bonus
23%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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LifeStance Health · Madison, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#2

Remote Licensed Talk Therapist - Fee For Service

Thriveworks · Massachusetts

$124k
#3

Licensed Talk Therapist - Fee For Service

$124k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
+ 33 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.3this job 7.2
Better work-life than 80% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

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

  • On-site

Living in Lakewood

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$659k≈ 9.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,200/mo≈ 39% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
21 min
State income tax
Up to 10.8%
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.

Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey logo

About Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey

Mental Health Care
Brick, NJ
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Prescription Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan
Generous Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Long Term Disability Insurance
Life and AD&D Insurance