Program Therapist (Inpatient)

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$47k-$55k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Ridgeview Institute Smyrna - Smyrna, GA 300806397Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: Graduate DegreeSalary Range: $47,000.00 - $55,000.00 SalaryJOIN OUR TEAM AS A PROGRAM THERAPIST! Sign-on bonus for FT status: $1,500.00 Your Work Matters How will you make a difference?

The Program Therapist performs social services functions to include assisting our male patients in meeting their bio-psychosocial needs while enabling them to access treatment skills to achieve their optimal level of emotional health, including providing essential consultation, teaching, completing specialized clinical social work services for patients/families receiving care, crisis intervention, short-term and long-term family therapy, and providing information and referrals as needed.

Duties and responsibilities: Formulate and conduct educational, therapeutic, and/or support groups. Continue professional development in individual, family, and group therapy and maintain professional development in personnel files. Conduct individual/couples/family counseling on scheduled timetables.

Comply with required standards for medical/legal reporting situations (i. e., child abuse, dependent adult abuse, psychiatric commitment). As requested, represent the facility at legal hearings, promptly submit paperwork for legal holds, and liaise with the conservator’s office.

Assess and identify the psychosocial, educational, developmental, and behavioral functioning of the patient/family system through established case-finding mechanisms.

Demonstrate knowledge of bio-psychosocial factors and DSM-IV related to the ages of the patients served and incorporate the knowledge base into the treatment plan. Assigns and directs other personnel to implement the nursing care plans and verifies this care through direct observation and chart review.

Your Experience Matters What we’re looking for: Education: Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or a clinical-related mental health field preferred. MSW, APC, LPC, and LCSW are preferred.

Experience: At least two (2) years experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience in family and group therapies, crisis intervention, treatment skills, and clinical solid assessment skills preferred.

Your Care Matters What we provide for our team: 401(k) + matching Health insurance 100% company-paid life insurance coverage up to 2x your annual salary Vision Insurance Dental Insurance 100% company-paid long-term disability insurance Paid time off Paid Holidays Cafeteria on site Employee engagement events Employee assistance program Employee recognition program Free Parking What sets us apart: Career & training development opportunities Dynamic and inclusive work environment Engaged management team dedicated to your success A guiding mission and set of values that serve as both our north star and yours, anchoring our collective purpose and aspirations Disclaimer: Benefits are subject to change at the discretion of Ridgeview Institute Smyrna.

Compensation

This is a full-time position, and the expected compensation range is $47,000.00 to $55,000.00 annually + SIGN-ON BONUS. We’re eager to engage with all qualified candidates, and consideration will be given to experience and skill level. Join us as our Program Therapist!

About Us! Get to know us: Outstanding Care, Compassionate People, Unparalleled Service. Welcome to Ridgeview Institute Smyrna (RIS), a premier healthcare provider in Smyrna, GA, setting the gold standard for excellence in mental health and addiction treatment support.

Located in Smyrna, GA, RIS offers a full continuum of care, including inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services and specialized, evidence-based programs for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

At RIS, the community is an integral part of our team, fostering collaboration to build an efficient, comprehensive, and seamless continuum of care. We take pride in offering dynamic, challenging, and advantageous positions.

You'll have the opportunity to work closely with a team of experts, ensuring our patients receive personalized services that guide them toward achieving their treatment goals. Join us in providing exceptional care and contributing to the well-being of needy individuals and families.

Be a part of the transformative healthcare experience at Ridgeview Institute Smyrna!

To learn more about RIS, visit us at: ridgeviewinstitute.com TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE POSITIVE I.M.P.A.C.T.S. Individuals Maintaining Positive Attitude and Commitment To Service ____________ At Ridgeview Institute Smyrna, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.

Key Responsibilities

The Program Therapist provides social services, including crisis intervention, individual and family therapy, and the facilitation of therapeutic support groups. They are responsible for assessing patient psychosocial needs and coordinating care plans within an inpatient psychiatric setting.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Social Work or a related clinical mental health field. At least two years of experience in a psychiatric healthcare facility with proficiency in family and group therapy is preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual counselingPsychosocial assessmentTreatment planningCase managementClinical documentationPatient advocacyBehavioral healthMental health support

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 24% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Georgia is 96.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$51k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $53k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Georgia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

31 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution31 jobs · 25 employers

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8
$110k-125k
3
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks28 jobs · 25 employers

401k / retirement match
96% this job
CME allowance
46%
Sign-on bonus
14% this job
Loan repayment
11%
PSLF eligible
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,029 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Smyrna

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$409k≈ 8.7× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,665/mo≈ 43% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
30 min
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

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

Ridgeview Institute Smyrna logo

About Ridgeview Institute Smyrna

Hospitals and Health Care
Smyrna, GA
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

401(k) + matching
Health insurance
100% company-paid life insurance coverage up to 2x your annual salary
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
100% company-paid long-term disability insurance
Paid time off
Paid holidays