Therapist I - Acute
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Therapist I - Acute | Palms Behavioral Health | Harlingen, Texas
About the Job
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
The Therapist is part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for providing direct clinical services to patients and their families by diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral. Completes Psychosocial Assessments; providing individual, group and family therapy for patients; facilitating psycho-educational training, family meetings, discharge planning; assisting in program development; developing, implementing, and reviewing Treatment Plans; and providing linkage to outside resources.
Roles and Responsibilities
Conducts a psychosocial assessment focused on factors impacting mental health and psychiatric symptoms, as well as risk and safety factors. Incorporates patient strengths and goals for treatment into therapeutic plan of care.
In conjunction with the patient, support system and/or treatment team, develops an initial discharge plan. Ensures each assigned patient has a structured and clinically appropriate post hospitalization care plan that is documented per facility policies.
Develops and implements treatment plans for patients based on assessment and coordinates any additional services needed, reviewing and updating treatment plans per expected timeframes.
Conducts individual, group or family sessions as appropriate for the treatment plan of the patient.
Applies evidence-supported psychotherapeutic techniques and interventions in the delivery of services to individuals and families for the purpose of treating diagnosed emotional and behavioral disorders.
Participates in multi-disciplinary treatment planning conferences. Presents appropriate patient information to the treatment team. Recommends effective treatment interventions.
Maintains a caseload of patients, as assigned.
Prepares progress notes and treatment updates in the medical record timely. Maintains all clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory and accrediting standards.
- Acts as Liaison to referral sources and support of continuation of care.
- Provides crisis intervention to patients and families in acute distress.
- Provides introduction and initial coordination of wide range of community resources: financial, housing, legal, social/recreational, occupational, spiritual and support groups.
- Evaluates patient's needs and determines if referrals to other programs or facilities are needed.
- May coordinate various clinical and psychosocial or educational activities with patients and their families.
- May assist in the assigned components of training of new clinical staff and interns.
Education/Experience/Skill Requirements
- Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling or Psychology or similar educational field required.
- With licensure, no professional post-graduate experience is required.
- Based on licensure level, ongoing clinical supervision per state requirements may be required.
Licenses/Designations/Certifications
Current and valid state issued licensure as a social worker, counselor or therapist either as an entry level licensure or independent level licensure.
CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
First aid may be required based on state or facility.
WORK LOCATION: This position is onsite and is not a remote position.
Supervisory Requirements
This position is an Individual Contributor.
Why Palms Behavioral Health? Palms Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Palms Behavioral Health is an EOE.
Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.
Key Responsibilities
The therapist provides direct clinical services including psychosocial assessments, individual, group, and family therapy to patients with mental and emotional disorders. They are also responsible for developing treatment plans, facilitating discharge planning, and providing crisis intervention within a multidisciplinary team.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a similar field and possess a current, valid state-issued license. No professional post-graduate experience is required for entry-level licensure, but CPR and de-escalation certifications are mandatory.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 26% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | Texas index 97.1 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in Texas | 442 active | 7,880 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 48% remote · 26% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Texas Counselor listings: 7% state a sign-on bonus · 20% offer loan repayment690 active listings, Oct 2026 |
| Mental Health Therapy pay trend | +2.3% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
Location & Logistics
Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states.
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