Mental Health Jobs in South Carolina
Mental Health jobs in South Carolina are in strong and steady demand, concentrated in community mental health centers, hospital systems, correctional facilities, and school-based programs at levels from entry-level counselor to licensed clinical director. Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville are the primary hiring hubs, where large employers such as the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, Prisma Health, and Palmetto Behavioral Health maintain consistent openings. The most sought-after specialties include crisis intervention, substance use disorder counseling, and child and adolescent behavioral health. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Mental Health JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 94+ Mental Health jobs









Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional I / Highway to Hope (Aiken):
- Provide an array of clinical services and meets patient care hour expectations as indicated on the EPMS. Services may include but are not limited to assessment,
treatment planning, crisis management, individual, group, and/or family therapy, and case-coordination. - Service are delivered in a patient-centered, recovery-oriented manner.
- Service are provided with patient input and documented in accordance with Quality Assurance (QA) and other required standards.
- Requirements may include but are not limited to: appropriate discharge planning, and timely and thorough completion of collaborative documentation, DLA-20s, Plans of Care, Progress Summaries, and Safety Plans.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with patients, internal staff, and external community partners in order to facilitate linkages to services and provide quality treatment.
- Participate in meetings, supervision, and interagency staffing as needed.
- Pursue professional development through collegial consultation, supervision, continuing education, training and licensure/certification as applicable.
- Maintain all required certifications and licenses.
- Complie with Corporate Compliance policy; all state and federal laws; all agency and center policies and procedures.
- Help ensure area is CARF accredited.
- Mentoring/supervising practicum students/interns.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
- A Masters’ degree in guidance, counseling, or the social sciences or a related field.
- Licensed or meets the requirements for licensure eligibility as a LPC, LISW-CP, or LMFT.
- Must be willing to pursue licensure in SC within six months of hire date.
- Additional Requirements:
- In order to be credentialed for core services as a Mental Health Professional at the SC Office of Mental Health, applicants must provide evidence of clinical experience providing direct patient care. This experience may be documented as a practicum or internship during graduate program, or post-graduate clinical experience. Please be sure to provide specific clinical activities on your application and/or resume.
- Ability to lift 5 pounds and operate a state vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications
- Behavioral healthcare experience.
- Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:
- Have practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods, and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders.
- Have ability to listen and understand and effectively communicate information and ideas so that others will understand.
- Have knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy.
- Have the ability to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives.
- Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines.
- Have the ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.
- Have the ability to utilize an electronic health record.
- Have the ability to operate and drive an RV.
- Be able to attend Supervision, which may vary from direct to general osupervision and guidance dependent upon the candidate's experience and responsibilities.
- Be responsible for BHDD and Center policies and procedures.
- Follow ABMHC/OMH policies and procedures.
- Hold a valid driver's license and have dependable and reliable transportation.
- Be able to climb steps into vehicle and lift 20lbs.
- Be able to pass CPR and Managing Agitation in the Psychiatric Setting (MAPS) Certification.
This position is considered essential and may be called back during crises/disasters/emergencies.
This position requires the ability to operate mobile mental health vehicle (RV) and set-up.
Requires travel between clinics & community. Services are provided in the community/clinic.
- Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
- 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
- 15 days sick leave per year
- 13 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
- Retirement benefit choices *
- State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
- State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
- Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
See All 94 Mental Health Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health JobsMental Health Jobs by City in South Carolina
Where South Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mental Health Job Market in South Carolina
A snapshot from current South Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- State of South Carolina60

- Three Rivers Midlands6

- Self Regional Healthcare2

- Kaleidoscope Counseling2K
- Harvey Counseling Services2H
What South Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mental health jobs across South Carolina.
- Active South Carolina license issued by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Counseling or LLR
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field
- Experience providing individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical or community setting
- Familiarity with evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, or trauma-informed care approaches
- Ability to complete clinical documentation and maintain records in an electronic health record system
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel between community or school-based sites when required
Mental Health Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mental health professional in South Carolina?
Most clinical mental health roles in South Carolina require at minimum a master's degree and a license from the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Counseling or the Board of Social Work Examiners, both administered under the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Depending on the credential you pursue, you will complete supervised clinical hours and pass a national examination such as the National Counselor Exam or the clinical social work licensing exam before practicing independently.
Which companies hire mental health professionals in South Carolina?
Companies currently hiring mental healths in South Carolina include State of South Carolina, Three Rivers Midlands, and Self Regional Healthcare, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health, the state's largest public behavioral health employer, operates community mental health centers in every region of the state and is among the most consistent sources of openings year-round.
Which South Carolina cities have the most mental health jobs?
The cities with the most mental health openings in South Carolina are Richland County, Charleston County, and York County. Columbia leads as the state capital and home to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health's headquarters, while Charleston and Greenville draw significant hiring through their large hospital systems, university medical centers, and growing suburban behavioral health networks that serve both urban and rural surrounding counties.
Are there remote mental health jobs in South Carolina?
Yes, and more than many clinical fields. About 11% of mental health openings tied to South Carolina are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the state's expansion of telehealth services following investments in rural behavioral health access. Roles most likely to be fully remote include teletherapy, crisis line counseling, and utilization review positions, while direct care, case management, and school-based roles typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a mental health professional in South Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a mental health technician, case manager aide, or peer support specialist role, all of which South Carolina community mental health centers and hospital systems such as Prisma Health hire without a full clinical license. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health runs entry-level associate programs and offers supervision toward licensure, making it a practical starting point. Completing a practicum or internship through a South Carolina graduate program and obtaining your National Counselor Exam eligibility early gives candidates a clear hiring edge.
Where can I find and apply to mental health jobs in South Carolina?
You can find and apply to mental health jobs in South Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 94 Mental Health Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health Jobs