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Mind Body Optimization
Knoxville, Tennessee

Private Practice Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$65K–$80K /yr

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Knoxville, TN 37934Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 Base+Commission/monthPOSITION SUMMARY The Private Practice Therapist provides high-quality mental health services to clients in an outpatient setting.

This role involves conducting assessments, creating individualized treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based therapy to support client well-being. The therapist works independently while contributing to the collaborative and client-focused culture of the clinic.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Care: Provide individual, couple, and/or family therapy based on expertise and client needs. Conduct thorough intake evaluations, including patient history, mental status examinations, and diagnostic assessments.

Formulate accurate psychiatric diagnoses and develop personalized treatment plans individually tailored to client goals. Provide crisis intervention and risk assessments for patients experiencing acute mental health issues.

Collaboration: Work closely with psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare providers to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care. Participate in case consultations and team meetings to review treatment plans and progress.

Refer patients to higher levels of care or additional services as needed, ensuring continuity of care. Patient Education & Advocacy Educate patients and families about psychiatric conditions, treatment options, medication adherence, and self-care strategies.

Advocate for patient needs within the healthcare system and community resources. Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) system. Ensure compliance with clinic policies, legal regulations, and ethical standards in psychiatric practice.

Monitor and address issues related to prescribing controlled substances in alignment with DEA and state guidelines. Professional Development: Stay current on advancements in psychiatric care through continuing education, professional memberships, and clinical supervision.

Contribute to quality improvement initiatives within the clinic. Note: The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Counseling, Psychology or Social Work preferred. Experience: Experience working in substance use is preferred but not required. Two years of experience in private practice setting preferred.

Licensure: Must be independently licensed and in good standing as an LPC, LCSW, or equivalent. Will accept provisionally licensed associates. Additional Requirements: A thorough knowledge of The Joint Commission, OSHA, CMS, DHS, State Regulations, and Federal Regulatory Standards. Complete TB testing, Drug Screening, and Background check upon being hired.

Key Responsibilities

The therapist provides high-quality mental health services, including individual, couple, and family therapy, while conducting assessments and creating individualized treatment plans. They also collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure cohesive patient care and maintain accurate documentation in the electronic health record system.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work and possess an independent license such as LPC or LCSW. Experience in a private practice setting and knowledge of regulatory standards like The Joint Commission and HIPAA are preferred.

Qualifications

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

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Individual therapyCouple therapyTreatment planningRisk assessmentPsychiatric diagnosisPatient advocacyCase consultationSubstance use treatment

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Private Practice Therapist at MIND BODY OPTIMIZATION 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

Mind Body Optimization ranks #6 of 15 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 46% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$73k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $79k in an average-cost state. 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$73k midpoint, that is roughly $3k–$5k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

27 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution27 jobs · 16 employers

5
<$75k
9
$75k-90k
4
$90k-105k
4
$105k-120k
5
$120k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs · 16 employers

401k / retirement match
85%
CME allowance
62% this job
Sign-on bonus
19%
Loan repayment
8%
Relocation assistance
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

Gotham Enterprises · Rome, New York

$115k-$120k
#2

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

Gotham Enterprises · Centerton, Arkansas

$115k-$120k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
#4

Remote Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPC)

$115k-$120k
+ 25 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.

Living in Knoxville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$358k≈ 5.5× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,712/mo≈ 32% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.6
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 · Knoxville, TN metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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