Pays $29-$46.5/hr — Counselor market median is ~$69k (249 jobs)
Behavioral Health Therapist
About the Role
Full-time behavioral health therapist providing diagnostic assessment and therapy in various settings. Day shifts. South Dakota.
Join Sanford Health as a Behavioral Health Therapist – Day Shift in South Dakota.
Benefits & Compensation
- Pay rate: $29 - $46.50/hr.
Work Schedule
- Full-Time position.
- Day shift only - no nights.
This position offers day shifts only. Work with Sanford Health in South Dakota.
Key Responsibilities
The Behavioral Health Therapist provides diagnostic assessments and crisis interventions, developing and implementing treatment plans tailored to patient needs. They continually assess patient progress and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure effective treatment.
Requirements
Candidates must have a Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related fields, with relevant licensure in good standing. Non-licensed candidates must be in the process of obtaining appropriate licensure.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Overview
This Behavioral Health Therapist position at Sanford Health includes the following lifestyle factors: no night shifts. Candidates should review the full job details to assess overall work-life fit.
Mental Health Therapy — Counselor Career Context
In South Dakota, Mental Health Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc pay a median of ~$90k across 19 listings, vs ~$77k nationally (8,020 listings).
Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 7.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).
South Dakota's cost-of-living index is 89.0 (US average = 100), so the posted ~$79k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $88k in an average-cost state — South Dakota ranks #4 of 50 for clinician purchasing power. 58.2% of South Dakota clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Location & Logistics
South Dakota has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$79k midpoint, that is roughly $3k–$5k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
Position Insights
AI ANALYSISThis role scores 5.1/10 on work-life balance for Counselor roles.
Career trajectory: This position offers advancement within 2-3 years. The compensation analysis shows this employer pays...
Benefits analysis: Compared to 249 similar roles, this listing's benefits package ranks...
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