Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Licensed Mental Health Therapist

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a Licensed Mental Health Therapist to join our multidisciplinary behavioral health team. The ideal candidate is a licensed clinician (LCSW, LMFT, LPC/LPCC, or clinical psychologist) with a commitment to evidence-based psychotherapy, trauma-informed care, culturally responsive practices, and strong clinical documentation. This clinician will deliver individual, family, and group therapy across the lifespan, provide crisis assessment and stabilization, develop and manage treatment plans, coordinate care with medical and community partners, and support program-level quality improvement initiatives. The role includes direct client contact (in-person and telehealth), clinical supervision of trainees (as applicable), and participation in community outreach and program development.

Primary SEO / keyword focus: Licensed Mental Health Therapist, LCSW, LMFT, LPC, psychotherapist, trauma-informed therapy, CBT, DBT, telehealth mental health, behavioral health clinician, clinical documentation, case management.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 1–3 years of clinical experience.
Newly licensed clinicians transitioning from supervised practice, community mental health, hospital behavioral health, or school-based programs.
Experienced psychotherapists or behavioral health therapists moving from private practice, residential treatment, or outpatient clinics.

Advancement To:

Clinical Supervisor or Team Lead overseeing therapists and trainees.
Program Manager or Director of Behavioral Health Programs.
Senior Clinician / Clinical Coordinator for specialty services (e.g., trauma, addiction, child/adolescent).
Private Practice Owner or Clinical Director within integrated care settings.

Lateral Moves:

Case Management Supervisor / Care Coordinator.
Integrated Behavioral Health Consultant in primary care or pediatrics.
Behavioral Health Quality Improvement Specialist.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for adults, adolescents, and children, synthesizing clinical history, risk factors, strengths, and functional impairment to establish DSM-5/ICD-10 diagnoses and clinical priorities.
Develop individualized, measurable, culturally responsive treatment plans that align with client goals and evidence-based interventions, documenting goals, objectives, modalities, frequency, and anticipated outcomes.
Provide weekly individual psychotherapy using evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing, tailored to client needs and diagnoses.
Facilitate therapeutic group sessions and psychoeducational groups for topics like coping skills, emotional regulation, relapse prevention, parenting skills, or support for trauma survivors, including curriculum development and group progress tracking.
Deliver family therapy and couples counseling to address relational dynamics, communication patterns, parenting challenges, and systemic issues impacting mental health using structural, Bowenian, or systemic approaches when indicated.
Conduct crisis assessments, safety planning, and brief stabilization interventions for clients presenting with suicidal ideation, acute anxiety, psychosis, or substance-related crises; coordinate emergent care and referrals to higher levels of care as needed.
Provide telehealth psychotherapy sessions using secure platforms while maintaining confidentiality, therapeutic rapport, and adherence to telehealth best practices and state-specific tele-licensure regulations.
Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation in the electronic health record (EHR), including progress notes, treatment plans, risk assessments, consent forms, and discharge summaries according to agency policy and payer requirements.
Coordinate care with psychiatrists, primary care providers, school staff, case managers, and community agencies to ensure integrated, multidisciplinary treatment and continuity of care for complex cases.
Monitor medication adherence and side effects in collaboration with prescribing clinicians; provide psychoeducation regarding psychiatric medications and support collaborative medication management plans.
Perform ongoing clinical risk assessments for harm to self or others, implement mitigation strategies, update safety plans, and make appropriate referrals to crisis services, inpatient units, or intensive outpatient programs when necessary.
Supervise and mentor master’s-level interns, practicum students, or less-experienced clinicians by providing case consultation, modeling evidence-based interventions, and ensuring ethical and professional development (when qualified and approved by licensing board).
Lead or participate in case conferences, utilization reviews, and multidisciplinary treatment team meetings to review progress, revise treatment approaches, and address barriers to care.
Engage in outreach and engagement activities including school consultations, community workshops, provider education, and resource linkage to increase access to behavioral health services and reduce stigma.
Use validated outcome measures and routine outcome monitoring tools (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, C-SSRS) to track symptom change, treatment response, and to inform clinical decision-making and program quality improvement.
Provide culturally competent care that addresses social determinants of health, language access needs, and trauma histories, adapting interventions to clients’ cultural, religious, and identity-based contexts.
Manage caseload efficiently while prioritizing high-risk clients and ensuring timely follow-up and access to services, maintaining productivity and documentation standards set by the organization.
Participate in program development efforts, including designing new clinical services, workflow improvements, and evidence-based practice implementation across the service line.
Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g., HIPAA, mandatory reporting, scope of practice) and internal policies by maintaining license currency, completing required training, and following ethical standards.
Support billing and authorization processes by documenting medical necessity, obtaining prior authorizations when required, and communicating with payer case managers to reduce denials and ensure reimbursement.
Contribute to quality assurance activities such as chart audits, performance measurement, peer review, and continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.
Provide consultation to non-clinical staff (e.g., frontline intake, housing coordinators) on de-escalation strategies, trauma-informed engagement, and referral pathways to improve client engagement and retention.
Participate in staff trainings, professional development, and reflective supervision to maintain clinical competence, integrate emerging evidence-based practices, and support personal resilience and burnout prevention.

Secondary Functions

Support community outreach initiatives to expand referral networks, increase mental health literacy, and build partnerships with schools, primary care, and social service agencies.
Assist with grant writing, program evaluation, and data collection related to clinical outcomes, access metrics, and funding requirements.
Contribute to policy development and refinement of clinical protocols, intake pathways, and telehealth procedures to optimize service delivery and compliance.
Help coordinate transportation, housing, or social service referrals for clients when social determinants impede treatment engagement, collaborating with case management and community partners.
Participate in on-call rotations or after-hours crisis response when applicable, providing clinical triage and recommendations for next steps.
Provide training or workshops for community partners and internal staff on topics like trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, cultural humility, and stigma reduction.
Support recruitment and onboarding for clinical staff by participating in interviews, training new hires, and orienting staff to clinical workflows and documentation standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Licensed clinical credential required: LCSW, LMFT, LPC/LPCC, PsyD/PhD with active state license in good standing.
Proficiency delivering evidence-based psychotherapies (CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, ACT, motivational interviewing) and integrating modalities based on client presentation.
Strong diagnostic skills using DSM-5/ICD-10 criteria and experience writing clear, defensible clinical assessments and treatment plans.
Competence in crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment (C-SSRS or equivalent), safety planning, and knowledge of local emergency resources and inpatient referral processes.
Experience providing telehealth services, including use of HIPAA-compliant platforms, teletherapy etiquette, and maintaining confidentiality across modalities.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) fluency—accurate, timely documentation, knowledge of clinical billing codes (CPT/HCPCS) and documentation to support medical necessity.
Familiarity with outcome measurement tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, ACEs, trauma screens) and using data to guide clinical decisions and program improvement.
Understanding of insurance authorization, managed care processes, and ability to document for clinical necessity and reimbursement.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, cultural competency frameworks, and approaches to working with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities.
Ability to coordinate care with psychiatric providers, medical teams, schools, and community agencies to ensure integrated treatment plans and continuity of care.

Soft Skills

Strong clinical judgment with the ability to prioritize risk, safety, and clinical urgency while managing a high-volume caseload.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for client engagement, interprofessional collaboration, documentation, and reporting.
Empathy, cultural humility, and capacity to build rapport quickly with clients from varied backgrounds and levels of readiness for change.
Time management and organizational skills to balance direct care, documentation, outreach, and supervisory responsibilities.
Resilience, self-awareness, and commitment to ethical practice and ongoing professional development.
Collaborative mindset to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to a positive clinical culture.
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills for adapting interventions and overcoming barriers to care.
Flexibility and adaptability to shifting client needs, program changes, and evolving public health contexts.
Leadership and mentoring skills for supervising trainees and supporting team growth.
Confidentiality and professional boundaries management in both in-person and telehealth settings.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling (MA/MSC), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Clinical Psychology (PhD/PsyD), or equivalent from an accredited program.

Preferred Education:

Advanced clinical training or post-master’s certifications in trauma-focused therapies, DBT, CBT, or substance use treatment; supervisory training or license (if applicable).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Clinical Social Work (MSW)
Counseling Psychology / Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marriage and Family Therapy
Clinical Psychology
Behavioral Health or related clinical disciplines

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of post-licensure clinical experience in outpatient, community mental health, integrated primary care, school-based, or hospital behavioral health settings. Some roles accept 1+ years post-license for entry-level licensed positions.

Preferred:

3–7+ years of direct clinical experience with complex mental health presentations, trauma-informed care, substance use disorders, and experience supervising trainees or junior clinicians.
Demonstrated experience using telehealth platforms, managing documented caseload productivity, and meeting quality metrics.
Experience with managed care environments, private insurance, Medicaid/Medicare billing, and familiarity with prior authorization processes is a strong plus.