Child Therapist Jobs in Washington
Child Therapist jobs in Washington are concentrated across behavioral health agencies, school districts, pediatric hospital systems, and community mental health centers, with demand strongest among licensed clinicians working with developmental trauma, autism spectrum disorders, and early childhood mental health. Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane lead hiring activity, and established employers such as Seattle Children's Hospital, Navos Mental Health Solutions, and MultiCare Health System maintain consistent openings at associate through senior clinician levels. Washington's robust Medicaid-funded mental health infrastructure and growing school-based services expansion make it among the most active markets in the Pacific Northwest for this role. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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About the Opportunity
Thrive Wellness Clinic is hiring an in-person child and family therapist to provide outpatient counseling services at our Maple Valley office. This role is designed for a clinician who enjoys working with children (5 to 17 years old) and families and who is looking for a stable, supportive clinical setting with strong referral flow, administrative support, and team collaboration.
We are open to both associate-level (W-2 employee) and fully licensed therapists (W-2 employee or contract). This position may be a strong fit for someone who is growing clinically and desires supervision, or for an experienced clinician who wants to serve clients in a values-driven private practice environment.
The primary focus of this role is children therapy, though the clinician may also work with children, adults, parents, and families depending on experience, fit, and client's need.
Clinical Focus:
The therapist in this role should feel comfortable supporting clients with a range of emotional, behavioral, developmental, relational, and mental health concerns. Areas of clinical need may include:
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
ADHD
Autism spectrum concerns
Emotional dysregulation
Behavioral health disorders
Oppositional or defiant behaviors
Self-harm concerns
School-related challenges
Family conflict
Parent-child relational concerns
Substance use concerns
Experience in every area is not required, but the ideal candidate will be clinically curious, teachable, ethical, and willing to seek consultation when needed.
Employment Structure:
Associate-level clinicians must be hired as hourly W-2 employees.
Fully licensed clinicians may be considered for either W-2 employment or contractor status.
The preferred schedule is in the late afternoon and evening hours. The position may grow into full-time depending on availability, client demand, and overall fit.
Compensation:
W2 Employee Compensation:
$36.00–$44.00 per hour, depending on license level, experience, and fit.
Contractor Compensation:
Fully licensed clinicians may be considered for contractor status starting at $92.50 per clinical hour.
About Thrive Wellness Clinic:
Thrive Wellness Clinic is a private, faith-informed mental health practice located in Maple Valley, Washington. We provide compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health care to individuals, couples, families, children, and adolescents.
Our mission is to glorify God by serving as the hands and feet of Jesus through meaningful clinical care that supports healing, restoration, growth, and wholeness.
Our clinic culture is shaped by biblical values, clinical excellence, ethical integrity, compassion, stewardship, transformation, honor, growth, and generosity.
Thrive serves clients from many different backgrounds and belief systems. Clinicians are not required to provide faith-based counseling. Faith-based counseling is only included when a client specifically requests it and provides informed consent. However, team members must be able to respectfully work within and support Thrive’s Christian statement of faith, values, culture, and mission.
Primary Responsibilities:
The therapist will provide outpatient counseling services in a private practice setting. Responsibilities include:
Providing individual therapy, primarily to children
Working with some children, adults, parents, and families as clinically appropriate
Completing intake assessments and ongoing clinical documentation
Creating treatment plans and supporting client progress toward goals
Maintaining timely progress notes and discharge documentation
Communicating with parents, guardians, and collateral supports when appropriate
Practicing within ethical, legal, and professional standards
Participating in supervision, consultation, or clinical team collaboration as needed
Maintaining strong professional boundaries
Providing compassionate, client-centered care that aligns with Thrive’s standards
Minimum Qualifications:
Candidates must hold or be eligible to practice under an appropriate Washington State mental health credential, including but not limited to:
LMHC
LMHCA
LMFT
LMFTA
LICSW
LSWAIC
Other eligible Washington associate or fully licensed mental health credentials
Preferred Experience and Strengths:
Experience working with children
Experience supporting behavioral or emotional concerns
Comfort involving parents or family members when clinically appropriate
Strong written documentation skills
Good clinical judgment
Willingness to seek consultation and receive feedback
Ability to work in person in Maple Valley
Professional maturity and ethical awareness
Respect for Thrive’s mission, values, and faith-informed framework
Who We Are Looking For:
We are looking for a therapist who is warm, responsible, relationally strong, and clinically grounded. The right candidate will be able to connect well with adolescents, communicate professionally with parents, and hold a steady therapeutic presence with clients who may be struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or relationally.
This role is a good fit for someone who values excellent client care, desires a healthy team environment, and wants to grow within a practice that takes both clinical work and mission seriously.
Schedule Details:
This is an in-person position at our Maple Valley clinic.
Preferred availability is weekdays from late afternoon to evenings.
The role begins at part-time, 10-30 hours per week depending on availability, client's needs, and fit.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send a resume and brief introduction to:
info@thrivewellnessclinic.net
Please include:
Your license type
Your current availability
Whether you are seeking W2 employment or contractor status
Your experience working with children and families
Thrive Wellness Clinic
Maple Valley, WA 98038
In-person position
Immediate opening
Pay: $36.00 - $92.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 21 Child Therapist Jobs in Washington
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Find Child Therapist JobsChild Therapist Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Child Therapist Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
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- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in child therapist jobs across Washington.
- Active Washington State licensed mental health counselor or clinical social worker credential required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a directly related clinical field
- Experience delivering evidence-based modalities such as TF-CBT, play therapy, or DBT with children
- Ability to maintain clinical documentation within electronic health record systems like Epic or Credible
- Current CPR certification and ability to pass Washington State DSHS background clearance
- Experience working within multidisciplinary teams alongside school staff, case managers, or pediatricians
Child Therapist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a child therapist in Washington?
To work as a child therapist in Washington, you need a master's degree in counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, followed by supervised post-graduate hours accumulated under an approved supervisor. Licensure is issued by the Washington State Department of Health, which oversees credentials including the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and Licensed Clinical Social Worker designations. Candidates must pass the required national clinical exam and complete a criminal background check before receiving a full license to practice independently.
How much do child therapists make in Washington?
Child therapists in Washington earn a median of about $60,000 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $55,690 for the lowest 10% to over $103,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire child therapists in Washington?
Employers hiring child therapists in Washington right now include Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Compass Health, and Kitsap Mental Health Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Washington's dense network of community mental health centers, Medicaid managed care contractors, and pediatric health systems means hiring is distributed well beyond the Seattle metro into Tacoma, Spokane, and smaller regional communities.
Which Washington cities have the most child therapist jobs?
The cities with the most child therapist openings in Washington are Kelso, Everett, and Vancouver. Seattle dominates due to its concentration of pediatric health systems, behavioral health nonprofits, and school district contracts, while Tacoma and Spokane reflect large regional medical centers and county-funded community mental health programs that consistently maintain child and family caseloads.
Are there remote child therapist jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical fields because child therapy often involves in-person assessment, play-based intervention, and school or home visits. About 0% of child therapist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of October 2026. Telehealth-only therapy positions for older children and adolescents represent the segment most likely to be fully remote, particularly within outpatient and private group practice settings.
How can I get hired as a child therapist in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for an associate-level or supervised-hours position at a community mental health center, which in Washington includes organizations such as Navos, Comprehensive Life Resources, and Neighborcare Health. These employers routinely hire candidates holding an LMHCA or LCSWA credential, which Washington State issues to post-master's graduates who are still accumulating supervised hours. School districts also hire child and family counselors at an associate level, and case manager or family support specialist roles at pediatric health systems offer a lateral pathway for candidates building toward full licensure.
Where can I find and apply to child therapist jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to child therapist jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to this role and state. Search the available positions, identify the roles that match your license level and preferred setting, and apply directly to whichever ones fit your background and availability.
See All 21 Child Therapist Jobs in Washington
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