Remote Mental Health Therapist jobs

About the Mental Health Therapist role

What the work looks like

• Conduct intake assessments, establish a diagnosis and write a treatment plan with measurable goals.
• Hold scheduled therapy sessions using methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy.
• Write progress notes after each session in an electronic health record, to clinical and payer standards.
• Screen for risk of self-harm, build safety plans and coordinate with crisis services when needed.
• Coordinate care with psychiatrists, primary care providers and case managers, with the client's consent.

What employers ask for

• Master's degree in counseling, social work or related field
• Independent state license such as LCSW, LPC or LMFT
• Evidence-based methods such as CBT and DBT
• Diagnosis using the DSM-5-TR
• Clinical documentation in an EHR
• Risk assessment and crisis intervention

Doing this job remotely

Remote therapy means telehealth: video sessions from a private, secure space on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Licensure is the main constraint, since a therapist generally must be licensed in the state where the client is located during the session, so employers hire by state. Therapists also need a plan for emergencies when the client is in crisis at a distance.

Where it comes from and where it leads

Therapists finish a master's degree and then work under supervision as associates or interns until they qualify for independent licensure. Later steps include clinical supervisor, clinical director, a specialty focus such as trauma or substance use, or opening a private practice.