Essential Journey Counseling is seeking passionate Associate Clinical Therapists (LCMHCA, LCSWA, LMFTA, LCASA) in North and South Carolina. This full-time position offers comprehensive supervision and support towards full licensure, along with a hybrid work schedule based on client needs. You'll provide therapy to diverse clients, gain valuable experience, and build your caseload within a collaborative and supportive team environment.
Since 2013, Essential Journey Counseling has been dedicated to supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds in resolving personal conflicts and discovering their true purpose. While it can be challenging to help others uncover the authentic self, we recognize the significance of maintaining genuineness in our methods. Therefore, we strive to create an environment where clients feel genuinely heard, valued, and respected by those around them. Ultimately, our goal is to reignite the passion for life, enabling clients to embrace and live their best life.
Associate Clinical Therapist
LCMHCA, LCSWA, LMFTA, LCASA
Company: Essential Journey Counseling
Job Type: Full-time W2 Employee (associates working toward full licensure)
Location: Hybrid. Offices in Waxhaw (101 F Waxhaw Professional Park, Waxhaw, NC 28173) and Gastonia, NC, plus telehealth for North Carolina and South Carolina residents
Pay: $37.50 to $47.50 per hour for clinical work, based on licensure and experience
ABOUT US
Essential Journey Counseling is a group practice with offices in Gastonia and Waxhaw, NC. We work with individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan, and we care about seeing the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
We hire associates on purpose. We know the first years after grad school shape the kind of therapist you become, so we built a place where you get real supervision, a steady caseload, and people around you who want you to do well.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
• Supervision that counts. Licensure supervision is included at no cost to you. LCMHCAs and LCSWAs are supervised in house by board-qualified supervisors. (LMFTAs: we do not have an in-house LMFT supervisor, so you would arrange outside supervision at your own cost.)
• A real onboarding. You won't be thrown in alone. New associates start by co-facilitating intakes with an experienced clinician, then take over those cases as you're ready.
• Clients to see. We get steady referrals, and most of our therapists have full caseloads. We help you build yours so you can meet your licensure hours. Productivity expectations start lighter and grow as your caseload does.
• Training you won't get everywhere. We built our own training tools, including an ethics training portal and a Clinical Practice Lab, and we hold twice-monthly clinical meetings. You can also join our Friday group supervision, where you learn alongside LCSWs, LCMHCs, and an LMFT.
• Room to grow. Associates grow into fully licensed clinicians here, and from there into lead clinician and trainer roles. Dual-licensed clinicians are paid at the top of our range.
• The business side of practice. Most therapists never learn how a practice actually runs. You will. And if you decide down the road to open your own practice, there's a path to do that under the Essential Journey umbrella instead of starting from scratch.
• A schedule that fits your life. Evening and weekend hours are available if you want them. They're optional, and they're also one of the fastest ways to build your caseload, since those are the times clients ask for most. Our support covers those hours too, so you're never on your own.
• Support behind you. Our front desk handles scheduling and our billing team handles claims, so you can focus on your clients. You are never financially responsible for denied claims or repayments, and you get ready-made note and treatment plan templates in our EHR.
• Varied clinical experience. Anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and more, with individuals, couples, families, and groups, in a hybrid model of in-person and telehealth sessions based on what your clients need.
PAY AND BENEFITS
• W2 employment, $37.50 to $47.50 per hour for clinical work (dual-licensed clinicians at the top of the range)
• Non-clinical time (meetings, trainings) paid at $20 per hour for your first 90 days, then covered by a flat $75 monthly admin payment
• Health insurance eligibility at full time (30 billable hours a week, or 120 a month)
• Professional liability insurance provided
• Flexible scheduling, with optional evening and weekend hours
• Clinical supervision included (optional group supervision is available at an additional cost)
• Discounted continuing education through our ASWB ACE approved courses (social work CE)
• Ongoing training and professional development
WHAT YOU'LL DO
• Build trusting relationships with clients
• Complete intakes and assessments
• Develop individualized treatment plans with your supervisor
• Provide individual, couples, family, and group therapy
• Keep documentation accurate and on time
• Attend supervision and our twice-monthly clinical and administrative meetings
• Submit session recordings for supervision review, as our supervision policy requires
• Meet weekly and monthly productivity expectations tied to your licensure hours
• Work a hybrid schedule, including in-person sessions, based on your clients' needs and preferences
• Follow all ethical and legal standards of practice
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
• Master's degree in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or a related field
• Current associate license (LCMHCA, LCSWA, LMFTA, or LCASA) in North Carolina or South Carolina
• Strong communication skills and a natural ability to build rapport
• Commitment to ethical practice and client confidentiality
• Organized and good with your time
• Comfortable with electronic health records, or willing to learn
• Open to both in-person and telehealth work
HOW TO APPLY
Send us your resume and a few lines about why you want to grow your career with Essential Journey Counseling. We'd love to hear from you.
$37.5 - $47.5 per hour