Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Kentucky
Behavioral Health Therapist jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, where established systems like Baptist Health, Norton Healthcare, and Seven Counties Services maintain steady hiring across outpatient, community mental health, and substance use treatment settings. Demand is strong at every level from associate therapist to clinical supervisor, with the most consistent openings in trauma-informed care, co-occurring disorders, and child and adolescent behavioral health. Kentucky's community mental health center network and its ongoing response to opioid-related behavioral health needs keep this one of the more active hiring markets in the region. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Job Summary: Provides structured, goal-oriented, evidence-based therapy for children and families on identified caseloads. Provides comprehensive clinical assessments to include, comprehensive psychosocial and individualized treatment plan. Completes all documentation that supports the provision and progression of therapy services, to include compliance with documentation expectations for the purpose of financial billing.
Essential Functions:
- Provides behavioral health therapy services to clients on caseload in individual, family or group format.
- Provides clinical feedback and modeling to treatment team members through leading treatment and program meetings and in informal consultation.
- Prepares a detailed comprehensive diagnostic assessment of each child referred in a timely fashion.
- Is responsible for the development of a comprehensive Individual Treatment Plan, as well as subsequent revisions of the ITP, by leading a collaborative treatment team meeting focused on identifying client goals/objectives and assessing progress on goals.
- Identifies and helps coordinate community resources for children and families. If opportunity arises, will participate in professional or community child advocacy setting.
- Remains informed of current clinical research and treatment approaches and adjusts his/her practice accordingly.
- Leads treatment team meetings and case conferences/staffing’s, as appropriate, to facilitate treatment planning for identified clients.
- Maintains certification/licensing continuing education requirements and renewals in timely manner.
- Offers training to families on issues related to behavioral/emotional difficulties, therapy interventions, de-escalation, and other topics as identified.
- Maintains and completes service documentation such as diagnostic assessments, treatment plans, therapy notes, court reports, letters, etc., in accordance with program policies.
- Collaborates with external agents including CHFS, school officials, family members, physicians, health agencies, and other social service agencies.
- Provides clinical support to the program in the absence of the Director of Clinical Services.
- Participates in providing on-call emergency crisis support to clients/families on a rotating basis as assigned.
- Is responsible for obtaining twenty-four (24) clock hours of required staff development/training as set forth by St. Joseph Children’s Home Policy and Procedures, by COA, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Ten hours of which must be completed in adoption services. Must implement and use the tools acquired during education sessions.
Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):
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CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
- Appreciates differences between others in thought as well as style and shows respect for their ideas.
- Demonstrates responsiveness to the racial, ethnic, and cultural needs of individuals while maintaining respect for those differences.
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EMPOWERMENT
- AS APPROPRIATE TO ROLE: Recognizes and works to eliminate situations that may lead to re-traumatization; Understands and allows for mutual self-help to occur among trauma survivors by utilizing their lived experience to promote recovery and healing.
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JOB KNOWLEDGE (Essential Functions)
- Has a clear understanding of the position.
- Demonstrates proficiency in the necessary common and technical knowledge areas required for the position.
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MODELING
- AS APPROPRIATE TO ROLE: Uses appropriate voice, is aware of development levels of clients served, encourages independence and self-help, and reinforces positive behavior.
- For those who provide direct care to clients, has the ability to anticipate problems, redirect behavior using positive practices, handle transitions well and develop goals for observation.
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PEER SUPPORT & COLLABORATION
- Communicates and interacts well with others among teams, across departments, and/or with clients to ensure a respectful, and inclusive service/work environment.
- Encourages and supports skill development of colleagues and/or direct reports, clients and/or families, and external stakeholders.
- Builds/maintains trust and exhibits healthy boundaries with colleagues and/or direct reports, clients and/or families, and external stakeholders.
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PROFESSIONALISM
- Is visible with a positive presence, ethical, and highly professional.
- Expresses accountability for actions.
- Shows respect towards others, serves as an appropriate role model during interactions and while performing job responsibilities, and is responsive to the needs of others.
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QUALITY OF WORK
- Reliably completes work according to organization standards.
- Exhibits strong judgment and problem-solving skills.
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SAFETY
- Creates and maintains a safe, welcoming, physical and service environment.
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TIME MANAGEMENT
- Is consistently at work, on time, and conforms to scheduled work hours.
- Possesses the ability to effectively manage projects, timelines, and team goals without constant oversight.
Education and Experience:
- Master's Degree from an accredited university in a human services field required.
- Must have basic knowledge of psychotherapy, human behavior, treatment modes, community resources and services.
- Must have working knowledge of diagnostic criteria and manuals and community’s mental health system.
- General knowledge of PC with a basic competency in Word, Excel and Microsoft Office.
- Experience working with children, youth and families preferred.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Must be certified/licensed as a behavioral health professional or a behavioral health professional under supervision.
- Must become certified in CPR, First Aid, and Defensive Driver’s training.
- Valid and current driver’s license with insurable driving record required in order to assist in transporting clients when necessary.
Physical Factors (those checked apply):
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Sitting at a desk for up to 8 hours
x
Office Environment
Entering data / keystroke
x
Driving
x
Standing for up to 8 hours
x
Reaching above shoulder level
x
Walking
x
Bending
x
Lifting/Carrying 25 max lbs
x
Pushing / Pulling 25 max lbs.
Using feet for repetitive action
Using hands for repetitive action
See All 31 Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Therapist Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Therapist Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health therapist jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Kentucky licensure as an LPCA, LPCC, CSW, LCSW, or equivalent recognized credential
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related clinical field
- Experience providing individual and group therapy in outpatient or community mental health settings
- Familiarity with evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, or motivational interviewing
- Ability to complete clinical documentation accurately within an electronic health record system
- Valid Kentucky driver's license for positions requiring community-based or mobile outreach services
Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health therapist in Kentucky?
You become a behavioral health therapist in Kentucky by completing a master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related clinical field, then applying for licensure through the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors or the Kentucky Board of Social Work, depending on your degree. Most roles require either an LPCA or CSW at entry level, with supervised hours needed to advance to full LPCC or LCSW standing. Kentucky also recognizes licensure by endorsement for clinicians already licensed in other states.
Which companies hire behavioral health therapists in Kentucky?
Employers hiring behavioral health therapists in Kentucky right now include Ephraim McDowell Health, Baptist Health System KY & IN, and CVS Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Kentucky's network of community mental health centers, federally qualified health centers, and large regional hospital systems like Baptist Health and Norton Healthcare account for a significant share of ongoing openings across the state.
Which Kentucky cities have the most behavioral health therapist jobs?
The cities with the most behavioral health therapist openings in Kentucky are Louisville, Lexington, and Danville. Louisville drives the largest share of postings as the state's most populous metro and home to its biggest hospital systems, while Lexington's concentration of university-affiliated clinics and community health centers and Bowling Green's growing healthcare infrastructure account for much of the activity in the rest of the state.
Are there remote behavioral health therapist jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, and more than most clinical fields, because telehealth has become a widely accepted delivery model for outpatient therapy. About 60% of behavioral health therapist openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how broadly telehealth has been adopted since its expansion. Individual therapy, psychiatric intake assessments, and case management coordination are the parts of the role most commonly offered in a remote or hybrid format.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health therapist in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for associate-level or provisional roles at Kentucky's community mental health centers, which routinely hire clinicians who hold a master's degree but are still accumulating supervised hours toward full licensure. Organizations like Seven Counties Services, Comprehend, and regional federally qualified health centers run structured supervision programs for early-career therapists. Moving laterally from a case manager, behavioral health technician, or crisis counselor role is another well-worn path, and holding a Kentucky LPCA or CSW credential before applying gives candidates a meaningful edge over those who have not yet started the licensure process.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health therapist jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to behavioral health therapist jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, specialization, and preferred work setting, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 31 Behavioral Health Therapist Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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