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Mind Body Optimization 1
Knoxville, Tennessee

Private Practice Therapist- Knoxville, TN

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$53k-$70k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Job Location: Knoxville, TN - Knoxville, TN
  • Position Type: Full Time
  • Salary Range: Undisclosed, POSITION 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
  • Compensation: $53,000.00-70,000.00

Depending on experience 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 assessments, individualized treatment plans, and evidence-based therapy. They also collaborate with other healthcare providers and maintain accurate clinical 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 private practice and substance use treatment is preferred, along with knowledge of regulatory standards.

Qualifications

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

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Individual therapyCouple therapyPsychiatric diagnosisTreatment planningRisk assessment

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 24% are remote, 44% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Tennessee is 91.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$62k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $67k in an average-cost state. 58.6% of Tennessee clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$53k–$70kMental Health Therapy median $73k (middle half $65k–$84k)304 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$67k in purchasing powerTennessee index 91.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Tennessee169 active7,846 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 24% remote · 44% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$62k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$4k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

27 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution27 jobs · 19 employers

5
<$70k
10
$70k-85k
4
$85k-100k
6
$100k-115k
2
$115k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks24 jobs · 19 employers

401k / retirement match
96%
CME allowance
42% this job
Sign-on bonus
29%
Loan repayment
4%
PSLF eligible
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Maplewood, Minnesota

$74k-$117k
#2

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LSCSW, LCPC, LCMFT) Sign-on Bonus $5,000

LifeStance Health · Lawrence, Kansas

$81k-$117k
#3

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

$84k-$113k
#4

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

$84k-$113k
+ 25 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,956 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Knoxville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$358k≈ 6.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,712/mo≈ 39% 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.