Recovery Therapist, (1123) ACT

Counselor / TherapistNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$65k

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

At Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, your knowledge and service in areas such as immigrants and refugees, mental health, social work, employment and adult education, legal and financial services, health care, food assistance, shelter and housing, developmental disabilities and prison outreach can make a profound difference in the lives of many.

Through more than 50 programs across the district and five surrounding counties, Catholic Charities is opening doors to help and hope. At CCADW, we continue to build an inclusive culture that celebrates a diverse workforce. We offer so much more than just a job. We offer careers.

We take pride in our “promote from within” culture. We offer professional development, a comprehensive benefits package, and a passion for building and motivating world class, high performing teams. Explore your career opportunity with Catholic Charities. Join us in Inspiring Hope and Building Futures.

Join us in Inspiring Hope and Building Futures.

Job Summary

The Recovery Therapist provides community-based support to individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, helping them manage symptoms, address substance use, develop daily living skills, and maintain stability.

As part of a multidisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, this position provides rehabilitation, crisis support, and recovery-focused services using a harm reduction approach to promote community stability and reduce psychiatric hospitalizations.

The Recovery Therapist builds supportive relationships with individuals and works collaboratively with the ACT team to address each person’s identified needs and recovery goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and substance use assessments in community-based settings.

Develop and implement clinically driven, person-centered treatment plans with measurable goals and therapeutic interventions.

Provide individual therapy utilizing evidence-based modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed approaches.

Facilitate therapeutic groups focused on substance use recovery, relapse prevention, and skill-building. Deliver integrated dual diagnosis treatment, addressing both mental health and substance use disorders concurrently.

  • Provide therapy and psychoeducation to support recovery and improve support systems.
  • Use evidence-based practices to develop a therapeutic alliance.
  • Use evidence-based practices to identify therapeutic activities, build skills and address process trauma.
  • Conduct ongoing clinical assessments, monitor symptom progression, and adjust interventions to prevent decompensation or hospitalization.
  • Provide crisis intervention and safety planning, with a focus on clinical stabilization.

Deliver therapy services in community-based settings to enhance engagement and real-world application of coping skills.

Collaborate with the ACT team to ensure coordination of care while maintaining a primary clinical/therapeutic role.

Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, including progress notes, treatment plans, and assessments in compliance with DC regulations and agency standards.

Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case consultations, and clinical discussions to support treatment planning.

Coordinate care with hospitals, detoxification programs, residential treatment providers, and outpatient services and assist with the admission process when needed.

  • Assist in training and mentoring staff on substance use treatment and therapeutic interventions as needed.
  • Participate in daily ACT team meetings and contribute to shared caseload responsibilities and team-based care
  • Maintain an average of 4.5 hours or higher billable services per day and document interventions in the Credible (the electronic health record) the same day.
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
  • Master’s degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling, or related behavioral health field from an accredited college or university.
  • Must hold, at minimum, a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) credential in the District of Columbia.

Must hold a current addictions counseling certification in the District of Columbia (CAC) or complete the Certified Behavioral Health Integrated Services Treatment Program (CB-ISTP).

Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience working with adults with serious and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Experience providing community-based or intensive services preferred.

SKILLS and COMPETENCIES

Driving is required. Must have valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Work is primarily performed in community-based settings throughout Washington, DC, including client homes, shelters, hospitals, and other community locations.

  • Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills, particularly with co-occurring disorders.
  • Knowledge of computer systems and MS Office products.

Benefits Package

  • Free weekly clinical supervision for licensed social workers and professional counselors.
  • Free continuing education credits.
  • Robust Professional development and training opportunities
  • Medical, prescriptions, dental and vision insurance
  • Retirement savings plan with company match
  • Company-paid and supplemental life insurance
  • Short Term/ Long Term disability
  • Group Life Insurance and AD&D
  • Other Volunteer Insurance Benefits
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Paid vacation, sick and personal leave
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Employee referral bonus program
  • Parenting leave
  • Pet’s Insurance
  • Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Key Responsibilities

Conduct community-based assessments and provide person-centered therapy, integrated dual diagnosis treatment, group services, crisis intervention, and recovery-focused support to adults with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Collaborate with the ACT team and community providers, maintain clinical documentation, and contribute to coordinated care and treatment planning.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Biopsychosocial AssessmentSubstance Use AssessmentPerson-Centered Treatment PlanningTrauma-Informed CareGroup TherapyCare CoordinationTherapeutic Alliance Building

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 66% are remote, 34% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for District of Columbia is 109.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$65k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $59k in an average-cost state. 64.3% of District of Columbia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$65kMental Health Therapy median $71k (middle half $63k–$83k)313 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$59k in purchasing powerDistrict of Columbia index 109.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in District of Columbia28 active7,858 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 66% remote · 34% 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.

Top Counselor Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

38 jobs · 16 employers
11
<$85k
9
$85k-100k
4
$100k-115k
14
$115k-130k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

32 jobs · 16 employers
401k / retirement match
97% this job
Sign-on bonus
47%
CME allowance
22% this job
Loan repayment
6%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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$74k-$126k
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

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#3

Behavioral Health Clinician (POTFF)

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#4

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

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+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.9
Better work-life than 30% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

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

  • No weekends
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington logo

About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

Individual and Family Services
Washington, DC
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Free weekly clinical supervision
Free continuing education credits
Professional development
Medical insurance
Prescription coverage
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement savings plan with company match

Living in Washington

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$638k≈ 9.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,484/mo≈ 46% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
30 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.9
State income tax
Up to 10.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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