Primary Therapist
Listed compensation
$70k-$87k
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Job Title: Primary Mental Health Therapist
Location: Reston, VA
Work Environment
- Teen & Young Adult Outpatient Treatment Center
- Schedule: Monday to Friday | Some evenings required
- Job Type: Full Time
- Compensation: $70,000-$87,000 (dependent on licensure / experience)
About The Role
As a Primary Therapist, you will lead individual, group, and family therapy sessions, helping clients navigate their mental health and dual-diagnosis challenges. In collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, you will implement evidence-based treatment plans and empower clients to achieve their recovery goals.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based modalities tailored to each client’s needs.
Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive treatment plans in collaboration with clients, families, and the clinical team.
Ensure all clinical documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with organizational and insurance standards.
- Participate in utilization reviews and discussions on medical necessity with insurance providers as needed.
- Coordinate with families to ensure alignment on treatment goals and progress.
- Actively contribute to program development, performance improvement initiatives, and family programming.
- Foster collaboration within the treatment team to ensure a cohesive and supportive care environment.
- Assist in recruiting and mentoring clinical staff to uphold high standards of care.
- Represent the organization positively in interactions with families, referral sources, and community partners.
Qualifications
Candidates applying for this position should be aware that an offer for employment in this position is contingent upon passing a comprehensive background check, encompassing criminal records and motor vehicle reports.
A master’s degree in behavioral health science (Clinical Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field) is Required
An active license in the state of VA in good standing is required
LPC / Resident in Counseling / LCSW / Supervisee in Social Work / LMFT / Resident in Marriage and Family Therapy
An ideal candidate has a minimum of 3 years of experience, including experience with clients from the age of 13 – 30 in a detox, residential, partial hospitalization (“PHP”), and/or intensive outpatient (“IOP) setting
Candidates must demonstrate a proven ability to manage diverse caseloads while maintaining a high standard of care.
The Perks
At Sandstone Care, we believe that great care starts with our employees. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support you in your personal and professional journey. Some of the benefits include:
A competitive compensation and total rewards package including a meaningful salary, merit-based pay increases, and professional growth opportunities.
A flexible PTO package that includes accrued PTO, paid holidays, and wellbeing days
High quality medical, dental, and vision insurance with a variety of package options that meet your needs and majority company paid.
A robust Employee Assistance Program: Including counseling, legal consultations, financial planning, and wellness coaching.
A collaborative and supportive community of therapists and team members: Fostering a positive work environment.
What to Expect: Our Interview Process
Here's an Overview of What Comes Next
- Application Review: We'll promptly review your application within a couple of business days.
- Discovery Call: Expect a 30-minute discovery call with one of our Talent Acquisition Specialists.
- Interview with Hiring Manager: You'll have 1 hour interview with the Site Director
- Offer: If all goes well, you'll receive an offer.
- Expected Interview Timeline: The entire process typically takes 1-2 weeks.
- Sandstone Care’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
At Sandstone Care, we are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that not only enriches the lives of our employees but also ensures the wellbeing and care of our clients, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, ability, or background. We believe that embracing diversity and promoting equity and inclusion are integral to our mission of providing high-quality behavioral health services.
Sandstone Care is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Primary Therapist at Sandstone Care a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Mental Health Therapy counselor listings evaluated on our platform. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.
Counselor Career Context
Sandstone Care ranks #10 of 18 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.
In Virginia, the Mental Health Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$81k (159 salary observations; 559 listings), vs ~$74k nationally (5,791 salary observations; 23,259 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-12-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia vs national | $81k median in Virginia | $74k nationally (+9%)159 state / 5,791 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$78k in purchasing power | Virginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in Virginia | 265 active | 7,579 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 38% remote · 42% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Virginia counselor listings (all specialties): 16% state a sign-on bonus (median $2k) · 12% offer loan repayment417 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 |
| Sandstone Care | #10 of 18 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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