Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Iowa
Behavioral Health Therapist jobs in Iowa concentrate in community mental health centers, hospital systems, and school-based and correctional settings, with steady demand from entry-level clinicians through licensed supervisors. The largest hiring activity is in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where employers like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and Iowa Department of Corrections maintain consistent behavioral health staffing needs. Trauma-informed care, substance use disorder treatment, and child and adolescent therapy are among the most in-demand specializations across the state. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Families First is looking for an individual to join our team as a Behavior Health Specialist!
This position will serve the city of Bettendorf in Clinton and Scott Counties and surrounding areas in Iowa; regular travel is required.
Job Responsibilities
· Meet with clients and families as prescribed by the assessing clinician.
· Demonstrate a working knowledge of mental health diagnoses, symptoms, and effective treatment interventions.
· Utilize a holistic, systems and strengths-based approach to working with clients.
· Execute individual treatment plans utilizing curriculum and evidenced based practices.
· Understand and engage in the importance of planning for client discharge from service onset and makes referrals and recommendations accordingly.
· Ensure documentation is completed accurately and timely including, but not limited to the consent packet and releases of information (as applicable), the implementation plan signature page, the individualized crisis plan, session notes, 90-day reports, discharges, and referrals for reauthorizations.
· Communicate with members of the client’s team regarding progress, lack of progress and recommendations and attend multidisciplinary and other team meetings as applicable.
· Maintain and document face-to-face contact in alignment with agency policy and in accordance to units authorized through the treatment planning process.
· Document and provide quarterly progress reports to the client, the client’s family, and the assessing clinician.
Qualifications
· Education requirements:
· A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Human Services related field from an accredited college/university with twenty (20) hours Child Mental Health Training; or
· A Bachelor’s Degree in a non-Human Services field with thirty (30) hours Child Mental Health Training.
· Possess and maintain a valid Iowa driver’s license and personal automobile insurance.
· Have immediate access to reliable transportation.
About Families First
Families First is one of the leading providers of family based, in-home and in-office services in the State of Iowa. Our employees assist children and families with daily stressors, enabling them to balance a family, work, and school.
· We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
· We serve approximately 3,000 individuals through our various programs in forty-seven counties within the State.
· We employ approximately 260 employees.
Join our Team – Apply Today!
Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background check required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $36,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
Families First is looking for an individual to join our team as a Behavior Health Specialist!
This position will serve the city of Bettendorf in Clinton and Scott Counties and surrounding areas in Iowa; regular travel is required.
Job Responsibilities
· Meet with clients and families as prescribed by the assessing clinician.
· Demonstrate a working knowledge of mental health diagnoses, symptoms, and effective treatment interventions.
· Utilize a holistic, systems and strengths-based approach to working with clients.
· Execute individual treatment plans utilizing curriculum and evidenced based practices.
· Understand and engage in the importance of planning for client discharge from service onset and makes referrals and recommendations accordingly.
· Ensure documentation is completed accurately and timely including, but not limited to the consent packet and releases of information (as applicable), the implementation plan signature page, the individualized crisis plan, session notes, 90-day reports, discharges, and referrals for reauthorizations.
· Communicate with members of the client’s team regarding progress, lack of progress and recommendations and attend multidisciplinary and other team meetings as applicable.
· Maintain and document face-to-face contact in alignment with agency policy and in accordance to units authorized through the treatment planning process.
· Document and provide quarterly progress reports to the client, the client’s family, and the assessing clinician.
Qualifications
· Education requirements:
· A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work/Human Services related field from an accredited college/university with twenty (20) hours Child Mental Health Training; or
· A Bachelor’s Degree in a non-Human Services field with thirty (30) hours Child Mental Health Training.
· Possess and maintain a valid Iowa driver’s license and personal automobile insurance.
· Have immediate access to reliable transportation.
About Families First
Families First is one of the leading providers of family based, in-home and in-office services in the State of Iowa. Our employees assist children and families with daily stressors, enabling them to balance a family, work, and school.
· We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
· We serve approximately 3,000 individuals through our various programs in forty-seven counties within the State.
· We employ approximately 260 employees.
Join our Team – Apply Today!
Families First is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background check required.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $36,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
See All 54 Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Therapist Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Therapist Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health therapist jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa license as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor or Licensed Social Worker
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related clinical field
- Experience providing individual and group therapy in community or clinical settings
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation requirements
- Ability to conduct biopsychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel between Iowa service sites as needed
Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health therapist in Iowa?
Most behavioral health therapist roles in Iowa require a master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related clinical field, followed by licensure through the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science or the Iowa Board of Counselor Examiners, which oversees credentials including the Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Independent Social Worker. Candidates complete supervised post-graduate hours, pass the required national exam, and apply for their Iowa license before practicing independently.
Which companies hire behavioral health therapists in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring behavioral health therapists in Iowa include The University of Iowa, MercyOne, and Heartland ABA, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's community mental health center network and large regional health systems like UnityPoint Health and MercyOne account for a significant share of ongoing openings across the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most behavioral health therapist jobs?
Iowa City, Johnston, and Ottumwa have the most behavioral health therapist openings in Iowa. Des Moines leads as the state's largest metro, anchored by major health systems and state government behavioral health programs, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport draw demand from regional hospital networks, federally qualified health centers, and community mental health organizations serving eastern Iowa.
Are there remote behavioral health therapist jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and more than many clinical roles, since telehealth has become a standard delivery model for outpatient therapy in Iowa. About 0% of behavioral health therapist openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly Iowa providers adopted virtual care to reach rural and underserved communities. Individual therapy, intake assessments, and care coordination are the functions most commonly offered remotely.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health therapist in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for associate or pre-licensed clinician roles at Iowa's community mental health centers, which routinely hire master's-level graduates who are working toward their supervised hours for licensure. Employers like Foundation 2 Crisis Services and Primary Health Care in Des Moines hire pre-licensed staff and provide the structured supervision required by Iowa's licensing boards. Moving laterally from case manager, crisis counselor, or behavioral health technician roles is a proven way to build the documentation and supervised hours needed to advance to a full therapist position.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health therapist jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to behavioral health therapist jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your license level, specialization, and location, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 54 Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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