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Westcare
Key West, Florida

Behavioral Health Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$55k-$62k

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

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

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Details: Job Location: Key West - 1205 4th - Key West, FL, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Graduate Degree, Salary Range: $55000.00 - $62400.00Salary/year, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, https://info.flclearinghouse.com Position Summary: Provides a full range of assessment, consultation and psychotherapeutic services for Mental Health, Substance Abuse and/or Co-Occurring Disorders, for identified clients including Seeking Safety, Relapse Prevention, Court ordered evaluations, Baker Act Assessments, Brief Behavioral Status Exams and Drug Court. Services are provided at the agency specific site Essential Job Functions: Engages in direct staff hours of service for assigned clients at the rate of 115 hours per month. Conducts intake assessments/biopsychosocial evaluations for new and existing clients. Assessments are performed in accordance with the Centers standards, policies and procedures relative to frequency, documentation and timeliness The Intake Assessment is an integrated, longitudinal, strength-based document, reflecting a recovery oriented process, and utilizing both mental health and substance abuse diagnostic tools. The therapist is responsible for implementing this tool in accordance with the CCISC model and philosophy. Communicates a Welcoming Expectation to the client; demonstrates empathic listening and compassion, increases client sense of safety and establishes a hopeful connection, in the process of collecting supporting information in a trauma informed manner. Develops and maintains a written treatment plan for each client. Written treatment plans are developed with as much participation from the client as possible and reasonable. The treatment plan should contain be strength-based, with Recovery/Resiliency based treatment recommendations. Conducts individual, group and family counseling activities as required. All clinical activities are performed in accordance with the Centers standards, policies, and procedures. Prepares written documentation for each service conducted. Written documentation for each service conducted is performed in accordance with the Centers standards, policies and procedures. All regulatory and reimbursement forms are accurately completed and submitted within the required timeframes Service Activity Logs are correctly completed, with progress notes attached, on a daily basis. Treatment records accurately reflect the nature of the service activity provided, the timeliness of services, and the outcome. Document all clinical services and activities in accord with licensing, Medicaid, CARF standards and agency policy and procedure Participate in case conference Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position. Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation; and Perform any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • ability. Maintains a good attendance record. Observes working hours Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor Works independently with minimal super
  • vision Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job Work time is always productive Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others. Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time. Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare. Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and super
  • vision Maintains a positive attitude toward work Ensures and maintains a safe working environment. Work area is clean and orderly. Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures. Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures Presents a positive personal image Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor Excellent communication skills; Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion; Ability to work well in a team environment; Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality; CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test. Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required. Working Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting Some outdoor activities may be required. Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation: Physical Demands: Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques. Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication. Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility. The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee. Mental Demands: Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings. The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.

Key Responsibilities

The therapist provides comprehensive assessment, consultation, and psychotherapeutic services for mental health and substance abuse disorders. They are responsible for developing treatment plans, conducting individual and group counseling, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a master's degree in a related field and possess two to three years of experience in mental health or substance abuse. Licensure as an LCSW, LMHC, or LMFT in Florida is preferred, along with relevant certifications like CAP or MCAP.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

PsychotherapyMental health assessmentSubstance abuse counselingTreatment planningCrisis interventionCognitive behavioral therapyMotivational interviewingTrauma-informed careCase managementHIPAA complianceMultidisciplinary team collaborationBiopsychosocial evaluation

Counselor Career Context

Westcare ranks #11 of 12 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 30% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 10.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Florida is 103.4 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$59k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $57k in an average-cost state. 58.1% of Florida clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Florida has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$59k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$4k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

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Salary Distribution32 jobs · 22 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks20 jobs

401k / retirement match
95%
CME allowance
55%
Sign-on bonus
25%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
5%

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Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score

A signal to investigate—not a guarantee about the workplace.