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UnitedHealth Group
Portland, Oregon · Hybrid

Associate Therapist CSWA, MFT-A, LPC-A) - Hybrid

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$52k-$78k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Portland, Oregon | Part of Optum

Awakened Heart, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking an Associate Therapist to join our team in Portland, OR. As a member of the Optum Behavioral Care team, you will be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

At Awakened Heart, we work with individuals, couples, and families to repair past traumas and create healthy, authentic connections. We do this work because suffering is a human experience and we believe healing is possible for everyone.

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space and we welcome the voices and experiences of the BIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities.

We value personal growth and reflection and hold ourselves accountable for understanding and deconstructing the privilege and biases we hold. We envision a kinder world, one in which every voice is respected, and relationships are a container for healing.

As a Behavioral Health Clinician, you will provide evidence-based treatment for a broad range of mental health conditions, reflecting the needs of a diverse patient population. We offer flexible solutions designed to support both clinicians and the communities they serve. Our organization provides the infrastructure and support that enables therapists to focus on delivering quality patient care.

This Role Is Ideal For Clinicians Who

Are comfortable providing care both in person and via telehealth within an integrated setting serving patients with behavioral health needs

  • Thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and remain organized while managing a focused caseload
  • Value autonomy and flexibility in setting a weekly schedule and choosing a work setting (in person or hybrid) while meeting client needs and productivity standards
  • Are interested in contributing to a mission-driven organization focused on high-quality client care
  • Appreciate comprehensive administrative support, including credentialing and business operations
  • Seeking professional development opportunities and participation in consultation and supervision groups
  • Are licensed or provisionally licensed and are interested in receiving clinical supervision while pursuing independent licensure

Why Optum Behavioral Care

  • At Optum Behavioral Care, we prioritize clinician well-being, career growth, and innovation in care delivery. We offer a comprehensive benefits and rewards package that may include:
  • Competitive salary
  • Flexible work models and paid time off
  • Medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health benefits
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Family support and wellness resources
  • Tuition reimbursement and dedicated learning time
  • CE/CEU and licensure renewal reimbursement
  • Career development opportunities within a growing organization

What You’ll Do

Services/treatment/therapy may be provided in individual or group environments and may be provided virtually or in person

Complete assessments or evaluations for mental health disorders and development, review, and implementation of comprehensive treatment plans

Assist patients and their families to change behaviors and to locate and access interpersonal, family and community resources to manage their health and well-being

Participate in our patient growth strategy by providing a profile for online directories and other marketing efforts

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related counseling field
  • CSWA, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate, Professional Counselor Associate
  • Clear, active and unrestricted license in the state of Oregon

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with any of the following: couples or family counseling, children or adolescents, and/or health psychology

Experience working with computers for professional communication and medical documentation - Excel, Outlook, Athena RMS (or other EHRs)

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with equal effectiveness

Explore opportunities at Optum Behavioral Care. We’re revolutionizing behavioral health care delivery for individuals, clinicians and the entire health care system. Together, we are bringing high-end medical service, compassionate care and industry leading solutions to our most vulnerable patient populations.

Our holistic approach addresses the physical, mental and social needs of our patients wherever they may be - helping patients access and navigate care anytime and anywhere. We’re connecting care to create a seamless health journey for patients across care settings.

Join our team, it’s your chance to improve the lives of millions while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Pay Range: $52,000 - $78,100 annual total cash target pay.

Annual total cash compensation for this role assumes full time employment and generally follows the range above, includes earnings from hourly pay (22/hr) and incentive pay and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role.

We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your pay, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Key Responsibilities

Provide evidence-based mental health treatment in individual or group settings via telehealth or in-person. Conduct assessments, develop comprehensive treatment plans, and assist patients in accessing community resources.

Requirements

Requires a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related counseling field. Must hold a clear, active, and unrestricted CSWA, MFT-A, or LPC-A license in the state of Oregon.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Mental health assessmentTreatment planningIndividual therapyGroup therapyCouples counselingCrisis interventionClinical documentationEvidence-based practiceCase managementPatient advocacyCollaboration

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Associate Therapist CSWA, MFT-A, LPC-A) - Hybrid at UnitedHealth Group a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Mental Health Therapy counselor listings evaluated on our platform. Contributing factors include remote work flexibility.

Counselor Career Context

UnitedHealth Group holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 76/100, 1,189 active listings.

Of the 50 active Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 22% have no call, 68% require no weekends — this position is remote.

The cost-of-living index for Oregon is 103.4 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$65k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 62.0% of Oregon clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs · 29 employers

401k / retirement match
89% this job
CME allowance
31% this job
Sign-on bonus
29%
Loan repayment
23%
PSLF eligible
17%

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.7this job 6.0
Better work-life than 40% of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 503 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Hybrid
  • Remote
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About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive salary
Flexible work models
Paid time off
Medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health benefits
401(k) with company match
Family support and wellness resources
Tuition reimbursement and dedicated learning time
CE/CEU and licensure renewal reimbursement