Community Youth Services logo
Community Youth Services
Olympia, Washington

Mental Health Therapist (TAY)

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$88k-$99k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 51m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Community Youth Services (CYS) is on the lookout for a passionate Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Therapist to join our team and make a real difference in the lives of young people. The TAY Therapist will cover services in Thurston & Mason Counties and is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary starting at $7361 to $8221 per month.

As a TAY Therapist, you will provide crucial behavioral health services to 15-to 24-year-olds. Your role will include:

Individualized Services: Offering tailored support with a flexible schedule to meet the unique needs of each youth.

Evidence-Based Training: Receiving training in and implementing evidence-based practices for comprehensive assessments, treatment planning, safety planning, and crisis stabilization.

Strength-Based Approach: Delivering services that empower youth, focusing on their strengths and fostering a supportive transition to adulthood.

Collaborative Teamwork: Enhancing communication, building natural supports, establishing healthy boundaries, and inspiring hope within a compassionate team.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct clinical assessments, documentation, case notes, and plans for treatment, service, and discharge.
  • Collaborate with systems like Juvenile Justice, mental health services, community supports, schools, and DCYF.
  • Possess knowledge of cultural issues affecting marginalized youth and young adults.
  • Understand legal matters related to children and families, including court procedures and DCYF policies.
  • Engage in regular meetings, supervision, and consultations.
  • Ensure ongoing communication and care coordination with an integrated service team.
  • Track client outcomes and adapt treatment interventions accordingly.
  • Complete all required paperwork on time and meet all regulatory requirements.

Assist in developing sustainability plans and community supports for clients transitioning out of TAY services.

Qualifications

  • A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
  • Two years of experience in providing clinical services in homes, communities, and schools is preferred.

Licensed as One of the Following

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Licensed Psychologist
  • Licensed Social Worker
  • Licensed Mental Counselor Associate
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
  • Licensed Social Worker Associate

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your background. We look forward to hearing from you!

About CYS

CYS has been a cornerstone in downtown Olympia for over 50 years, offering a wide range of services to at-risk youth and their families. As the largest child welfare agency in southwest Washington, we pride ourselves on a staff-driven culture that values our team as our greatest asset.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary starting at $7361 to $8221 per month
  • Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, HSA contributions, dental, vision, life insurance, and more paid by the agency.
  • Generous vacation, sick leave, 11+ paid holidays, and 4 personal holidays.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.

Additional Benefits & Agency Qualifications are detailed on the Career Page on the agency website.

CYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, age, marital or nursing mother status, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentCase DocumentationInterdisciplinary CollaborationCultural CompetenceYouth Behavioral HealthOutcome TrackingDischarge PlanningCommunity Support DevelopmentKnowledge of Court ProceduresKnowledge of DCYF Policies

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% are remote, 40% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$93k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $87k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$87k in purchasing powerWashington index 107.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Washington190 active7,860 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 52% remote · 40% no call · 76% 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

Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$93k midpoint, that is roughly $4k–$7k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

36 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

36 jobs · 24 employers
13
<$85k
9
$85k-100k
1
$110k
13
$115k-130k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

27 jobs · 24 employers
401k / retirement match
96%
Sign-on bonus
26%
CME allowance
26%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
7%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist - LICSW/LPCC/LMFT

LifeStance Health · Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

$74k-$126k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Behavioral Health Clinician (POTFF)

$59k-$124k
#4

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

$115k-$120k
+ 34 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 2.8
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,838 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Community Youth Services logo

About Community Youth Services

Non-profit Organizations
Olympia, WA
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health insurance
HSA contributions
Dental
Vision
Life insurance
Generous vacation
Sick leave
11+ paid holidays

Living in Olympia

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$520k
Typical market rent
$1,969/mo
Residents’ average commute
20 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
103.7
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.