Crisis Therapist

CounselorIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

starting at $82K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Crisis Therapist Role Now Open –Kickstart Your Career: APPLY NOW!

Application Deadline

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 at 7:00am CDT.

  • Position: Crisis Therapist
  • Location: Hays, Kansas | Crisis Intervention Center
  • Salary: starting at $81,649 per year | +$1,000 SIGN-ON BONUS
  • Job Type: Full-time | In-person

Schedule: 8am-2pm & 2pm-8pm | Rotating schedule with alternating weekends [Week 1 = Week 3; Week 2 = Week 4] | Some holidays required | On-call rotation

Why You Should Apply

Be a part of history. High Plains Mental Health Center is proud to have launched one of Kansas’s first Crisis Intervention Centers (CIC) — and we want YOU to be part of this groundbreaking journey.

This center is already playing a vital role in transforming mental health care across northwest Kansas by easing the burden on local hospitals and law enforcement, shortening inpatient waitlists, and providing critical mental health services close to home for those in need.

Now is the time to raise your hand and secure your spot! For more information about the Crisis Intervention Center (CIC), please visit: [HPMHC CIC].

If you’re ready for a rewarding opportunity, and want to be supported by an organization that stands by its mission of being “Here for You,” this is your chance. We provide comprehensive training in crisis prevention, intervention, and response to help you feel confident and prepared in the role. Our team will support you as you learn our processes & build your skills—so you can focus on what matters most: supporting the people we serve. APPLY TODAY!

What You’LL Do

As a Crisis Therapist working within both our brand-new Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) and our Mobile Crisis Team, you will be a vital member of a multidisciplinary team focused on delivering immediate, compassionate, and effective mental health care.

Your Core Responsibilities Will Include

Crisis Response & Assessment: Provide mobile and on-site crisis intervention services in homes, communities, and the CIC facility. Perform comprehensive mental health screenings and substance use assessments. Use trauma-informed care principles to stabilize individuals in crisis while developing short-term treatment plans.

Client Care & Support: Offer solution-focused therapy to individuals in acute emotional or psychological distress. Use de-escalation and care planning. Provide transportation assistance when needed.

Team Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team including medical staff, case managers, peer support, and community partners. Participate in team meetings, care planning meetings, and critical incident reviews. Provide support to other HPMHC programs as needed.

Documentation & Compliance: Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation of all interactions, assessments, and service plans. Maintain client records.

Training & Development: Complete required training including suicide risk assessment, crisis de-escalation, seclusion and restraint protocols, emergency response & trauma-informed care. Participate in ongoing in-service and professional development, including DBT training.

Community & Emergency Preparedness: Respond to critical incidents in coordination with law enforcement, EMS, and hospitals when needed.

Why Join Us?

At High Plains Mental Health Center, we're here for you — not only for the individuals and communities we serve, but for every member of our team. Our mission drives everything we do, and that includes supporting our employees with the same compassion, dedication, and care we offer our clients.

When you join us, you become part of a purpose-driven organization where your work has a real impact. You’ll provide critical mental health services to those who need them most, while being part of a team that values your expertise, supports your well-being, and invests in your professional growth through continuous learning and career advancement opportunities.

What We Offer

  • Competitive Pay: starting at $81,649 per year + $1,000 ENHANCED SIGN-ON BONUS

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Excellent Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off & Extended Illness Time

403(b) Plan

KPERS Retirement Plan

Supplemental Benefits

HSA & FSA

Holiday pay [$250 holiday pay regardless if you are scheduled to work that holiday; our Center recognizes 7 holidays]

  • Convention Leave & Funds [to obtain CEUs]
  • License Renewal
  • Scholarship, work-study, & internship opportunities for employees
  • $1,000 ENHANCED SIGN-ON BONUS
  • And more!

Submit Your Application

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and make a difference in the future of mental health services, we want to hear from you! APPLY TODAY!

If you have any questions or need help with documentation, please feel free to contact CAREERS@HPMH.COM.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.

You must hold one of the following active Kansas BSRB licenses:

  • Licensed Psychologist or Licensed Master Level Psychologist
  • Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist
  • Licensed Master Social Worker (clinical track) or Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker
  • Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (mental health track)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist

Must be physically capable of ensuring personal safety in potentially high-pressure or crisis situations. Ability to maintain physical readiness and stamina to respond effectively is required.

Ability to stay calm under pressure and physically respond to emergency situations.

Must maintain a valid driver's license; [MVR will be checked]

Must comply with TB / mental & physical health screen protocols.

Must pass pre-hire drug test and be subject to random drug screenings after hire.

Key Responsibilities

The Crisis Therapist provides immediate, compassionate mental health care through mobile and on-site crisis interventions, assessments, and stabilization services. They collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop treatment plans and ensure accurate documentation of all client interactions.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental Health AssessmentSubstance Use AssessmentMultidisciplinary Team Collaboration

Counselor Career Context

High Plains Mental Health Center ranks #8 of 13 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 54% are remote, 40% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Kansas is 90.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$82k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $91k in an average-cost state. 61.0% of Kansas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

32 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution32 jobs · 15 employers

7
<$75k
5
$75k-90k
5
$90k-105k
9
$105k-120k
6
$120k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks28 jobs · 15 employers

401k / retirement match
96% this job
Sign-on bonus
57% this job
CME allowance
18% this job
Loan repayment
11%
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 · Brookfield, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#3

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
+ 30 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 4.2
Better work-life than 30% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,961 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Hays

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$235k≈ 2.9× annual pay
Median resident rent
$922/mo≈ 14% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
11 min
State income tax
Up to 5.7%
Sources & methodology

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

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

High Plains Mental Health Center logo

About High Plains Mental Health Center

Mental Health Care
Hays, Kansas
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Time Off & Extended Illness Time
403(b) Plan
KPERS Retirement Plan
Supplemental Benefits
HSA & FSA
Holiday pay ($250 per holiday)