Child Therapist Jobs in Ohio
Child Therapist jobs in Ohio are in strong and steady demand, concentrated in community mental health centers, pediatric hospital systems, school-based programs, and outpatient behavioral health practices, with openings at every level from newly licensed associates through senior clinicians and clinical supervisors. The busiest hiring markets are Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, where established employers like Nationwide Children's Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center consistently maintain child therapist roles. Play therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and autism spectrum support are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Child Therapist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 15+ Child Therapist jobs
Why Join Unison Health?
Unison Health provides a mission-driven work environment focused on staff support, professional growth, and work-life balance. We are committed to helping our employees thrive while making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. For over 50 years, Unison Health has proudly supported individuals, families, and communities across Ohio. From behavioral health and substance abuse treatment to primary healthcare, we are dedicated to our mission: Making Lives Better.
Compensation & Benefits:
- LSW/LPC - $55,000 to $68,000 annually.
- LISW/LPCC - $65,000 to $75,000 annually.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) Starting at 16 Days/Year
- Medical with federal minimum deductibles
- Dental and vision coverage
- Retirement planning and employer contribution
- Apply to Hear More!
Position Summary:
This position provides direct therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families experiencing mental health concerns, emotional challenges, and adjustment difficulties. Services may include individual, group, and family therapy, as well as diagnostic assessments, care coordination, linkage to community resources, and client advocacy. The primary focus will be serving children ages 5 and older, with adult clients served as needed based on caseload development and agency needs.
Key Responsibilities & Role Highlights:
- Provides treatment planning and counseling services to an assigned caseload of clients in accordance with state mandates, established agency and program policies, procedures, and philosophy.
- Documents all services provided and maintains records utilizing the electronic record.
- Maintains client confidentiality and ensures release of information is handled in accordance with federal guidelines.
- Participates in team meetings, supervision, in-service training and conferences according to established policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Education & Experience Requirements:
- Requires LSW/LPC, LISW/LPCC.
- Experience with special populations preferred.
- Requires a bachelor's degree in social work or master's degree in counseling.
- At least 3 years' experience with youth preferred.
- Candidates must have strong clinical skills including the ability to make clinical decisions
- Knowledge of therapeutic principles and practices
- Thorough knowledge of DSM-5 and strong group process skills
Unison Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Why Join Unison Health?
Unison Health provides a mission-driven work environment focused on staff support, professional growth, and work-life balance. We are committed to helping our employees thrive while making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. For over 50 years, Unison Health has proudly supported individuals, families, and communities across Ohio. From behavioral health and substance abuse treatment to primary healthcare, we are dedicated to our mission: Making Lives Better.
Compensation & Benefits:
- LSW/LPC - $55,000 to $68,000 annually.
- LISW/LPCC - $65,000 to $75,000 annually.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) Starting at 16 Days/Year
- Medical with federal minimum deductibles
- Dental and vision coverage
- Retirement planning and employer contribution
- Apply to Hear More!
Position Summary:
This position provides direct therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families experiencing mental health concerns, emotional challenges, and adjustment difficulties. Services may include individual, group, and family therapy, as well as diagnostic assessments, care coordination, linkage to community resources, and client advocacy. The primary focus will be serving children ages 5 and older, with adult clients served as needed based on caseload development and agency needs.
Key Responsibilities & Role Highlights:
- Provides treatment planning and counseling services to an assigned caseload of clients in accordance with state mandates, established agency and program policies, procedures, and philosophy.
- Documents all services provided and maintains records utilizing the electronic record.
- Maintains client confidentiality and ensures release of information is handled in accordance with federal guidelines.
- Participates in team meetings, supervision, in-service training and conferences according to established policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Education & Experience Requirements:
- Requires LSW/LPC, LISW/LPCC.
- Experience with special populations preferred.
- Requires a bachelor's degree in social work or master's degree in counseling.
- At least 3 years' experience with youth preferred.
- Candidates must have strong clinical skills including the ability to make clinical decisions
- Knowledge of therapeutic principles and practices
- Thorough knowledge of DSM-5 and strong group process skills
Unison Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 15 Child Therapist Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Child Therapist JobsChild Therapist Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Child Therapist Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in child therapist jobs across Ohio.
- Active Ohio Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Social Worker (LSW) credential required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related clinical field
- Experience providing direct therapy services to children, adolescents, or families
- Proficiency with evidence-based modalities such as CBT, TF-CBT, or play therapy
- Ability to complete clinical documentation within required timelines in an EHR system
- Valid Ohio background check clearance and compliance with HIPAA confidentiality standards
Child Therapist Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a child therapist in Ohio?
To become a child therapist in Ohio, you complete a master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related clinical field, then apply for licensure through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Most clinicians pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) credential, both of which require supervised post-graduate hours and a licensing exam. Completing supervised hours at a pediatric or community mental health setting strengthens your path toward child-focused roles.
How much do child therapists make in Ohio?
Child therapists in Ohio earn a median of about $70,240 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $41,200 for the lowest 10% to over $157,860 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire child therapists in Ohio?
Employers hiring child therapists in Ohio right now include LifeStance Health, The Centers, and Unison Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Ohio's strong network of children's hospital systems, community mental health centers, and school districts creates consistent openings across the state throughout the year.
Which Ohio cities have the most child therapist jobs?
Cleveland, Dayton, and Shaker Heights are the Ohio cities with the most child therapist openings, driven by the concentration of large pediatric hospital systems, community behavioral health organizations, and urban school districts in those metros. Columbus and Cleveland in particular anchor high volumes of listings year-round because of flagship employers like Nationwide Children's Hospital and Cleveland Clinic, while Cincinnati's dense network of outpatient and hospital-based practices sustains steady hiring as well.
Are there remote child therapist jobs in Ohio?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because child therapy relies heavily on in-person clinical assessment, play-based interventions, and direct observation. About 33% of child therapist openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and most of those are telehealth roles focused on talk therapy with older children and adolescents rather than early childhood or play therapy positions.
How can I get hired as a child therapist in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly for post-graduate associate or provisional licensure roles at Ohio's large children's hospital systems and community mental health centers, which routinely hire clinicians who are working toward full LISW or LPC licensure under supervision. Nationwide Children's Hospital, Netcare Access, and OhioGuidestone all run structured internship and supervised residency tracks for new graduates. Adjacent roles such as mental health case manager, crisis counselor, or behavioral health technician also serve as common stepping stones, and completing a field placement in a pediatric or school-based Ohio setting during your master's program significantly strengthens your candidacy.
Where can I find and apply to child therapist jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to child therapist jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current Ohio openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find roles that fit your license level, specialty, and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 15 Child Therapist Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Child Therapist Jobs