Mental Health Jobs in Washington, DC
Mental health jobs in Washington, District of Columbia are in strong demand across federal agencies, community health centers, and nonprofit behavioral health organizations, with roles concentrated in Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, and the Navy Yard corridor. Employers actively hiring include Google, KIPP DC, and Zevo Health. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Mental Health Clinician (DOC)
Location: Washington, DC – Department of Corrections
Organization: Unity Health Care
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt
About Unity Health Care
Unity Health Care is the largest network of community health centers in Washington, D.C., dedicated to delivering compassionate, culturally competent, and patient-centered healthcare services to underserved communities throughout the District. Through integrated medical, behavioral health, and supportive services, Unity Health Care advances health equity while improving access to comprehensive whole-person care.
Unity’s Department of Corrections (DOC) Behavioral Health team provides trauma-informed, recovery-focused care to justice-involved individuals within a collaborative correctional healthcare environment focused on improving behavioral health outcomes and continuity of care.
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Mental Health Program Manager, the Mental Health Clinician (DOC) provides comprehensive behavioral health and social work services within the DC Department of Corrections Mental Health Unit. This position is responsible for conducting psychosocial evaluations, developing individualized treatment and discharge plans, providing psychotherapy services, and coordinating continuity of care for incarcerated individuals.
The Mental Health Clinician works collaboratively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, correctional staff, and community resources to support high-quality, patient-centered behavioral health care within a secure correctional setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive psychosocial evaluations for inmates admitted to the Mental Health Unit within required timeframes
- Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary treatment teams
- Create comprehensive discharge plans that connect patients with community-based services, Core Service Agencies, healthcare providers, and support resources
- Assist inmates with applications for identification cards, health insurance, medication assistance programs, and income assistance resources
- Provide individual and group psychotherapy services within the Mental Health Unit
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with providers, behavioral health teams, and correctional officers assigned to the unit
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with Unity Health Care and DOC policies and procedures
- Track and maintain required service and patient care data
- Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, treatment planning, and continuity of care initiatives
- Support trauma-informed, culturally competent, and recovery-focused behavioral health services
- Perform additional related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field required
- Current DC license as an LPC, LICSW, LGSW, or equivalent behavioral health license required
- Minimum of three (3) years of post-graduate experience in a psychiatric social work or behavioral health setting required
- Strong knowledge of mental health diagnoses and psychotherapy techniques
- Working knowledge of psychopharmacology and substance use treatment modalities
- Excellent communication, crisis intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
- Ability to work effectively within a secure correctional healthcare environment
- Commitment to serving underserved and justice-involved populations
Why Join Unity?
- Be part of a mission-driven organization serving vulnerable and underserved communities throughout Washington, DC
- Make a meaningful impact providing behavioral health services within the correctional healthcare system
- Collaborate within a multidisciplinary and supportive behavioral health environment
- Access opportunities for professional growth, continuing education, mentorship, and leadership development
- Participate in innovative, recovery-focused behavioral health initiatives serving justice-involved populations
- Enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a team-oriented work culture
- Contribute to an organization committed to compassion, health equity, and whole-person care
Mental Health Clinician (DOC)
Location: Washington, DC – Department of Corrections
Organization: Unity Health Care
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt
About Unity Health Care
Unity Health Care is the largest network of community health centers in Washington, D.C., dedicated to delivering compassionate, culturally competent, and patient-centered healthcare services to underserved communities throughout the District. Through integrated medical, behavioral health, and supportive services, Unity Health Care advances health equity while improving access to comprehensive whole-person care.
Unity’s Department of Corrections (DOC) Behavioral Health team provides trauma-informed, recovery-focused care to justice-involved individuals within a collaborative correctional healthcare environment focused on improving behavioral health outcomes and continuity of care.
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Mental Health Program Manager, the Mental Health Clinician (DOC) provides comprehensive behavioral health and social work services within the DC Department of Corrections Mental Health Unit. This position is responsible for conducting psychosocial evaluations, developing individualized treatment and discharge plans, providing psychotherapy services, and coordinating continuity of care for incarcerated individuals.
The Mental Health Clinician works collaboratively with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, correctional staff, and community resources to support high-quality, patient-centered behavioral health care within a secure correctional setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive psychosocial evaluations for inmates admitted to the Mental Health Unit within required timeframes
- Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary treatment teams
- Create comprehensive discharge plans that connect patients with community-based services, Core Service Agencies, healthcare providers, and support resources
- Assist inmates with applications for identification cards, health insurance, medication assistance programs, and income assistance resources
- Provide individual and group psychotherapy services within the Mental Health Unit
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with providers, behavioral health teams, and correctional officers assigned to the unit
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with Unity Health Care and DOC policies and procedures
- Track and maintain required service and patient care data
- Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, treatment planning, and continuity of care initiatives
- Support trauma-informed, culturally competent, and recovery-focused behavioral health services
- Perform additional related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field required
- Current DC license as an LPC, LICSW, LGSW, or equivalent behavioral health license required
- Minimum of three (3) years of post-graduate experience in a psychiatric social work or behavioral health setting required
- Strong knowledge of mental health diagnoses and psychotherapy techniques
- Working knowledge of psychopharmacology and substance use treatment modalities
- Excellent communication, crisis intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
- Ability to work effectively within a secure correctional healthcare environment
- Commitment to serving underserved and justice-involved populations
Why Join Unity?
- Be part of a mission-driven organization serving vulnerable and underserved communities throughout Washington, DC
- Make a meaningful impact providing behavioral health services within the correctional healthcare system
- Collaborate within a multidisciplinary and supportive behavioral health environment
- Access opportunities for professional growth, continuing education, mentorship, and leadership development
- Participate in innovative, recovery-focused behavioral health initiatives serving justice-involved populations
- Enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a team-oriented work culture
- Contribute to an organization committed to compassion, health equity, and whole-person care
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Who's Hiring
Mental Health Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mental health job in Washington?
Washington's mental health market is driven by its dense concentration of federal agencies, veterans' services, and nonprofit community health organizations. Candidates with experience in trauma-informed care, substance use treatment, or crisis intervention have a clear edge locally. Targeting employers in the Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, and Southeast DC corridors gives you the best access to active openings, and familiarity with federally funded programs strengthens any application.
Which companies hire mental healths in Washington?
Washington mental health roles are posted by Google, KIPP DC, and Zevo Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The Washington market includes a wide mix of federal health contractors, community mental health centers, hospital systems, and advocacy-focused nonprofits that hire across clinical, case management, and outreach functions.
Are there remote mental health jobs in Washington?
Yes, though remote availability depends heavily on the role, since direct client care and crisis services require on-site presence while care coordination, utilization review, and administrative mental health roles are more often remote. About 71% of mental health openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with telehealth counseling and policy-adjacent roles representing the strongest remote options in this market.
How can I get a mental health job in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Washington is through community health centers and nonprofit behavioral health programs, which regularly hire case aides, peer support specialists, and mental health technician roles that require minimal prior experience. Organizations serving DC's ward-based communities and federal social service contractors often provide on-the-job training. A bachelor's degree in psychology or social work, volunteer experience with a local crisis line, or certification as a peer recovery specialist all strengthen early applications meaningfully.
Related Jobs in District of Columbia
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