Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin
Behavioral Health Specialist jobs in Wisconsin are concentrated in community mental health centers, integrated health systems, and county-run human services departments, with steady demand from entry-level case aide positions through senior clinician and program supervisor roles. The largest hiring activity is in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, where employers like Aurora Health Care, UnityPoint Health, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services maintain ongoing behavioral health workforces. Crisis intervention, substance use disorder counseling, and youth and family services are the most consistently in-demand specialties across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 101+ Behavioral Health Specialist jobs
The Behavioral Health Therapist (BHT) works with behavioral health patients within their assigned work department. This position completes assessments and develops a plan of care, including discharge disposition recommendations as is appropriate based on the level of care in which they are working.
This position coordinates care with the patient’s formal and informal supports, ensures that aftercare resources are in place.
This position provides a variety of therapeutic interventions for patients that may include facilitation of group and family meetings, 1:1 therapeutic interventions, patient advocacy, crisis intervention, and discharge planning.
Specific job functions are consistent with the level of care where services are provided.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options focused on your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental, health and vision insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
And we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
UnityPoint Health - Meriter and UW Health work closely together to deliver exceptional healthcare services to our community.
Join our team of experts and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
- Completes a biopsychosocial assessment upon patient admission
- Coordinates with outpatient supports and families to obtain accurate collateral information to plan for patient care
- Coordinates and leads meetings with families and individuals from external systems
- Facilitates various patient treatment groups
- Provides education on a variety of mental health topics, including communication techniques, coping strategies, cognitive restructuring, stress management, and emotional regulation
- Provides therapeutic interventions with patients using a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solutions-Focused Therapy, process groups, and suicide prevention strategies
- Works with the patient/family to establish an aftercare plan
- Coordinates with the legal system when warranted for an emergency detention, protective placement, etc. and provides updates to the treatment team
- Provides resource information to ensure success after discharge
- Coordinates the aftercare plan with physicians, therapists, case managers, and other community supports as needed
- Will provide support/coverage in other behavioral health departments as assigned.
- Inpatient Units: Master of Science Degree in Social Work, Professional Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy with a clinical/mental health concentration from an accredited school
- Emergency Services: Master of Science Degree in Social Work
- Two years of clinical experience with psychiatric patients/clients.
- Emergency Services: LCSW
- Inpatient Units: Licensed for Independent Practice (LCSW, LPC, or LMFT) by the WI Department of Professional Services and Safety which ensures a clinical concentration, supervised clinical field training, and completion of a supervised practice regimen.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong desire to lead therapeutic groups
- Experience and skill in working as part of an interdisciplinary team
FTE
0.0
Work Schedule
All shifts
Hours Per Week
0-40
Weekends
Some
Compensation
39.25
Site Address
202 South Park Street
City
Madison
Zip Code
53715
Behavioral Health Therapist; Adult Psych; 0.0FTE; All Shifts | UnityPoint Health-Meriter
The Behavioral Health Therapist (BHT) works with behavioral health patients within their assigned work department. This position completes assessments and develops a plan of care, including discharge disposition recommendations as is appropriate based on the level of care in which they are working.
This position coordinates care with the patient’s formal and informal supports, ensures that aftercare resources are in place.
This position provides a variety of therapeutic interventions for patients that may include facilitation of group and family meetings, 1:1 therapeutic interventions, patient advocacy, crisis intervention, and discharge planning.
Specific job functions are consistent with the level of care where services are provided.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options focused on your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental, health and vision insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
And we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
UnityPoint Health - Meriter and UW Health work closely together to deliver exceptional healthcare services to our community.
Join our team of experts and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
- Completes a biopsychosocial assessment upon patient admission
- Coordinates with outpatient supports and families to obtain accurate collateral information to plan for patient care
- Coordinates and leads meetings with families and individuals from external systems
- Facilitates various patient treatment groups
- Provides education on a variety of mental health topics, including communication techniques, coping strategies, cognitive restructuring, stress management, and emotional regulation
- Provides therapeutic interventions with patients using a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solutions-Focused Therapy, process groups, and suicide prevention strategies
- Works with the patient/family to establish an aftercare plan
- Coordinates with the legal system when warranted for an emergency detention, protective placement, etc. and provides updates to the treatment team
- Provides resource information to ensure success after discharge
- Coordinates the aftercare plan with physicians, therapists, case managers, and other community supports as needed
- Will provide support/coverage in other behavioral health departments as assigned.
- Inpatient Units: Master of Science Degree in Social Work, Professional Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy with a clinical/mental health concentration from an accredited school
- Emergency Services: Master of Science Degree in Social Work
- Two years of clinical experience with psychiatric patients/clients.
- Emergency Services: LCSW
- Inpatient Units: Licensed for Independent Practice (LCSW, LPC, or LMFT) by the WI Department of Professional Services and Safety which ensures a clinical concentration, supervised clinical field training, and completion of a supervised practice regimen.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong desire to lead therapeutic groups
- Experience and skill in working as part of an interdisciplinary team
FTE
0.0
Work Schedule
All shifts
Hours Per Week
0-40
Weekends
Some
Compensation
39.25
Site Address
202 South Park Street
City
Madison
Zip Code
53715
Behavioral Health Therapist; Adult Psych; 0.0FTE; All Shifts | UnityPoint Health-Meriter
See All 101+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Specialist Jobs by City in Wisconsin
Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Specialist Job Market in Wisconsin
A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Advocate Aurora Health14
- Ascension10
- ThedaCare7
- Centers for Independence7
- Emplify Health6
What Wisconsin Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health specialist jobs across Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin DHS-recognized credential such as CSAC, LPC, or LCSW preferred or required
- Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral health field
- Experience conducting individual, group, or family behavioral health assessments
- Familiarity with evidence-based practices such as CBT, motivational interviewing, or trauma-informed care
- Ability to document clinical encounters accurately within an electronic health record system
- Valid Wisconsin driver's license and reliable transportation for community-based service delivery
Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health specialist in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling, though many community mental health and county human services roles accept candidates working toward licensure. Wisconsin credentialing pathways include the Licensed Professional Counselor designation through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and substance use-specific credentials such as the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor issued through the Wisconsin Certification Board. Supervised hours completed under a licensed clinician are typically required before full independent practice.
Which companies hire behavioral health specialists in Wisconsin?
Employers hiring behavioral health specialists in Wisconsin right now include Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension, and ThedaCare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Wisconsin's large integrated health systems, county-operated human services departments, and federally qualified health centers are historically among the most consistent sources of full-time openings in the state.
Which Wisconsin cities have the most behavioral health specialist jobs?
Milwaukee, Madison, and Wauwatosa account for the largest share of behavioral health specialist openings in Wisconsin. Milwaukee drives volume through its concentration of hospital systems and community mental health organizations, Madison adds openings tied to state government agencies and the University of Wisconsin health network, and Green Bay reflects demand from regional health systems and county services in northeastern Wisconsin.
Are there remote behavioral health specialist jobs in Wisconsin?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since much of this role involves direct client contact, community outreach, and in-person assessment. About 40% of behavioral health specialist openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting some telehealth and care coordination functions that translate well to remote delivery. Roles focused on telephonic case management or administrative care coordination are most likely to offer remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health specialist in Wisconsin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a behavioral health technician, mental health associate, or case aide position at a Wisconsin community mental health center or county human services agency, where on-the-job supervision toward licensure is a built-in feature of the role. Aurora Health Care, Advocate Aurora, and regional county departments such as Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division regularly post associate-level openings designed for candidates still accumulating supervised hours. Obtaining a Certified Peer Specialist credential through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services also opens doors for candidates with lived experience rather than a traditional clinical background.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Wisconsin?
You can find and apply to behavioral health specialist jobs in Wisconsin on Migrate Mate, which lists current Wisconsin openings updated regularly. Search for roles that fit your experience level, specialty area, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that match. No signup is needed to see the listings below.
See All 101+ Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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