Drug and Alcohol Licensed Therapist
Listed compensation
$40 per hour
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Merakey is seeking a compassionate and skilled Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) to provide therapy services to individuals in substance use recovery. This role involves delivering both individual and group therapy, supporting client engagement, and collaborating with the treatment team to ensure comprehensive care.
Starting rate of $40.00 per hour
Location: 730 Colonial Drive Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
This is a Fee-for-Service position. You’ll be compensated per service provided, allowing you the flexibility to create a schedule that suits you. This position is ideal for professionals seeking flexibility and the opportunity to manage their caseload.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide Individual and Group Therapy: Facilitate structured and open-topic group sessions and conduct individualized therapy tailored to each client’s stage of recovery and clinical needs.
- Conduct Clinical Assessments: Evaluate clients to determine appropriate services, considering both clinical necessity and readiness for change.
- Manage a Caseload: Maintain an active caseload, tracking treatment progress, engagement levels, and evolving needs while ensuring timely and accurate documentation.
- Conduct Assessments and Develop Treatment Plans: Complete clinical and SUD-specific assessments using tools such as ASAM criteria, create individualized treatment plans, and facilitate therapeutic group sessions aligned with each client’s diagnosis, goals, and stage of recovery.
- Engage and Motivate Clients: Use motivational interviewing and other clinical techniques to encourage participation, especially among resistant or disengaged individuals.
- Collaborate with the Treatment Team: Work closely with case managers and other team members to coordinate care, share updates, and ensure clients are connected to necessary community resources.
Benefits
Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security,
and work-life balance, including:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
- Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
- DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
- On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
- Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
- Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
- Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
- Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.
Learn More About Our Full Benefits Package
- merakey.org
About Merakey
Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey.
Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.
Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status.
Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a behavioral health field (e. g., Counseling, Social Work, Psychology).
- Active Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) in Louisiana — accepted credentials include LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.
- 1 year of experience providing therapeutic services, preferably within a substance use treatment setting preferred.
- Experience supporting individuals with co-occurring (dual) diagnoses is strongly preferred.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Drug and Alcohol Licensed Therapist at Merakey 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 7,838 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include flexible scheduling.
Counselor Career Context
Merakey ranks #8 of 13 employers hiring contract/1099 Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% are remote, 30% have no call, 74% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 7.2 / 10 · top 25% in mental health therapy (counseling) | ranked against 7,838 Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $83k | Mental Health Therapy median $125k (middle half $72k–$146k)62 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$94k in purchasing power | Louisiana index 88.2 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in Louisiana | 44 active | 7,860 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 56% remote · 30% no call · 74% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Merakey | #8 of 13 for pay | Top Employers work-life index |
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