Licensed Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Therapist Job Description
QUALIFICATION:
· Bachelor's level or higher in the Human Services field.
· Experience in individual and group therapy with adult males and families.
· At least three year's experience working with adults with diagnosed mental health and/or substance abuse disorders preferred.
· Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrable cultural competence.
· Must display working knowledge and adherence to all ethical standards within the scope of duties.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is a clinical position that involves providing individual, and family counseling services that meet agency productivity goals, and case management to people with co-occurring substance use and other mental disorders, including:
· Provides biopsychosocial assessment; ongoing individual, family, and group counseling;
· Provides person-served/family education and care management for cases assigned.
· Participates in regularly scheduled supervision. Maintains required and adequate documentation on each person-served assigned (including treatment plans, progress notes, and utilization review deficiencies correction), meeting all timelines for these as detailed in the relevant Lake Cumberland Recovey, Inc. Policy and Procedure Manual, as well as writing reports, summaries, and letters.
· Works in a team-based approach to person-served treatment with external agencies, including other social service agencies, community support services, and legal entities.
· Participates in a team-based approach to person-served service within the agency as a whole.
· Must be able to work flexible hours when required.
· Attends all mandated Lake Cumberland Recovery, Inc. In-Service pieces of training, as well as continuing education classes to regularly update knowledge and skills to provide state of the art, evidence-based treatment.
· Participates in agency committees.
· Maintains and upholds Lake Cumberland Recovery, Inc.’s policies and procedures, respects confidentiality, and exhibit a professional demeanor at all times while at work. Any violation of policies and procedures/job duties may be subject to disciplinary action.
· Performs other duties as assigned.
· Can perform the essential functions of the position with reasonable accommodations, if necessary.
Job Types: Part-time, Full-time
Benefits:
Dental insuranceHealth insurancePaid time offVision insuranceMedical specialties:
Addiction MedicinePsychiatrySchedule:
8 hour shiftMonday to FridayWeekends as neededPeople with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Education:
Master's (Required)License/Certification:
LPCA, LPCC, or LCSW (Required)Work Location: In person
Read LessIOP/OP INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST – JOB DESCRIPTION**
Position Title: IOP/OP Individual TherapistReports To: Director of Clinical Services & ComplianceEmployment Type: Full-TimeCaseload: Approximately 40 clientsThe IOP/OP Individual Therapist is responsible for the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based clinical services within the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Outpatient Program (OP). This position ensures that every client receives individualized treatment, ongoing assessment, and therapeutic support that aligns with ASAM Criteria, Kentucky Medicaid requirements, and Joint Commission standards.
The Individual Therapist will complete comprehensive treatment planning for all IOP/OP clients, provide required individual therapy sessions, support Utilization Review (UR) processes, complete ASAM assessments for ongoing care needs, and collaborate with group therapists to ensure continuity across all clinical services. The position also provides clinical coverage for group therapy on an as-needed basis.
This role fills a current service gap by ensuring that each client receives consistent, individualized clinical care in addition to group services.
Provide weekly individual therapy sessions for all IOP clients according to program standards.
Offer individual therapy for OP clients as clinically indicated or assigned.
Utilize evidence-based interventions including CBT, DBT skills, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and relapse-prevention strategies.
Document all individual sessions within 24 hours, including interventions, client engagement, progress toward objectives, and plan.
2. Comprehensive Treatment Planning
Complete Comprehensive Treatment Plans for all assigned IOP and OP clients within required timelines.
Ensure treatment plans include:
ASAM 4th Edition risk ratings and rationale
Measurable goals, objectives, and interventions
Evidence-based practices matched to client needs
Integration of co-occurring disorders, medical, legal, vocational, and family needs
Update treatment plans when clinically indicated, during reviews, or when major changes occur.
Complete all ASAM Continuing Care Reviews for ongoing level-of-care determinations (IOP → OP → Aftercare).
Provide clear medical necessity justification tied to ASAM risk ratings, functional impairments, and symptom changes.
Collaborate with UR team to ensure documentation supports authorization requests.
Attend UR meetings as needed to support clinical rationale.
Complete Clinical Assessment Updates when:
Major changes in condition occur
Client completes a milestone or phase
A new level-of-care recommendation is required
Ensure updates include new ASAM ratings, risk changes, biopsychosocial updates, and revised treatment needs.
Ensure all documentation meets Kentucky AODE/BHSO standards, Joint Commission standards, and Medicaid requirements.
Adhere to strict documentation timelines, including:
Individual session notes within 24 hours
ASAM reviews within UR timelines
Updated treatment plans per program guidelines
Maintain accurate caseload management and ensure all assigned clients are receiving required services.
Provide group therapy coverage when group therapists are out or during high-volume times.
Ensure groups follow evidence-based curriculum, LCR program design, and treatment plan alignment.
Attend weekly clinical meetings, treatment team discussions, and supervision sessions.
Communicate client progress, barriers, and risk concerns to the clinical leadership team.
Work collaboratively with:
Intake/Admissions
Case management
Peer support
UR Team
Medical and psychiatric providers
Conduct risk assessments (C-SSRS, SAFE-T model).
Maintain safety planning documentation and notify leadership when risk elevation occurs.
Coordinate with medical, psychiatric, and emergency resources as needed.
Attend required LCR training, supervision, and competency checks.
Maintain all professional licenses and certifications according to Kentucky Board requirements.
Stay current on evidence-based practices and ASAM criteria updates.
LPCA, LPCC, CSW, LCSW, LMFT, LMFTA, CADC, or other approved behavioral health credential (per Medicaid & AODE).
Experience providing individual therapy in SUD and co-occurring mental health settings.
Strong understanding of ASAM Criteria (3rd and 4th editions) and medical necessity documentation.
Competency in treatment planning, differential diagnosis, and clinical documentation.
Experience in IOP/OP levels of care.
Familiarity with Kentucky Medicaid BHSO requirements.
Experience working in multidisciplinary treatment teams.
Strong skills in CBT, MI, relapse-prevention, and trauma-informed interventions.
Maintain a caseload of approximately 40 clients.
Complete weekly individual sessions for all IOP clients.
Complete monthly or as-needed sessions for OP clients.
Ensure all clients have updated treatment plans and ASAM reviews.
Maintain appropriate documentation for UR and audits.
Full-time, on-site position.
Some evening availability may be required depending on program schedule.
Ability to manage a structured workload with competing deadlines.
Individual therapy (primary caseload responsibility)
Comprehensive treatment planning for all IOP/OP clients
ASAM ongoing assessments
Clinical assessment updates
UR support and documentation
Group therapy backup coverage
Crisis intervention
Collaboration and communication
Documentation compliance
Participation in supervision and professional training
