Mental Health Professional Jobs in South Carolina
Mental Health Professional jobs in South Carolina are concentrated in Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston, where systems like Prisma Health, MUSC Health, and Palmetto Health operate large behavioral health programs alongside community mental health centers funded through the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Demand is strongest for licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and substance use disorder specialists, with openings at every level from recent graduates pursuing supervised hours to senior clinicians and program directors. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 68+ Mental Health Professional jobs
Job Responsibilities
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Mental Health Professional I who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.
This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Lexington County Community Mental Health Center, 305 Palmetto Park Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072. This position provides school mental health counseling services as an embedded Mental Health Professional in Saxe Gotha and Carolina Springs Elementary..
As the Mental Health Professional, working under general supervision of the program supervisor, you will be a therapist providing a full array of clinical services to patients referred to the School Mental Health program.Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional:
- Provide clinical assessments, individual, family & group treatment, as well as crisis intervention services for assigned patients utilizing a variety of therapeutic and best practice approaches, following access to care guidelines, caseload limit recommendations, and continuity of care procedures. Provide clinical services in accordance with the LCCMHC Patient Care Hours Policy with 854 hours annually of work time in provision of direct service.
- Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, pursue professional development, and demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities. Effectively utilize and maintain certification of evidence-based practices.
- Provide consultation and training on mental health issues to our community partners (schools) on an as needed basis. Respond to non-patient mental health crisis in the assigned school.
- Complete documentation according to QA/OMH standards, comply with Corporate Compliance Policy and Risk Management Plan, and ensure timely completion of prior authorizations.
- Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS, Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, OMH and Center policies and Procedures.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
- A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences.
- Must be licensed or eligible for licensure in SC and willing to work towards licensure in SC within first six months of employment.
- Ability to lift 5lbs and operate a state vehicle.
- 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.
Preferred Qualifications
Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:
- Practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders
- Ability to listen and understand and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand
- Knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy. Ability to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines
- Ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:
- 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.
Job Responsibilities
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking a Mental Health Professional I who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.
This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Lexington County Community Mental Health Center, 305 Palmetto Park Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072. This position provides school mental health counseling services as an embedded Mental Health Professional in Saxe Gotha and Carolina Springs Elementary..
As the Mental Health Professional, working under general supervision of the program supervisor, you will be a therapist providing a full array of clinical services to patients referred to the School Mental Health program.Responsibilities for the Mental Health Professional:
- Provide clinical assessments, individual, family & group treatment, as well as crisis intervention services for assigned patients utilizing a variety of therapeutic and best practice approaches, following access to care guidelines, caseload limit recommendations, and continuity of care procedures. Provide clinical services in accordance with the LCCMHC Patient Care Hours Policy with 854 hours annually of work time in provision of direct service.
- Participate in clinical supervision, treatment team meetings, pursue professional development, and demonstrate effective use of social and interpersonal knowledge and skills and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences and similarities. Effectively utilize and maintain certification of evidence-based practices.
- Provide consultation and training on mental health issues to our community partners (schools) on an as needed basis. Respond to non-patient mental health crisis in the assigned school.
- Complete documentation according to QA/OMH standards, comply with Corporate Compliance Policy and Risk Management Plan, and ensure timely completion of prior authorizations.
- Complete all annual required trainings to include Safety, MAPS, Cultural Affairs, and clinical trainings. Demonstrate adherence to CARF standards, OMH and Center policies and Procedures.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
- A master's degree in guidance, counseling, the social sciences.
- Must be licensed or eligible for licensure in SC and willing to work towards licensure in SC within first six months of employment.
- Ability to lift 5lbs and operate a state vehicle.
- 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.
Preferred Qualifications
Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:
- Practical therapeutic knowledge of principles, methods and counseling practices and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders
- Ability to listen and understand and communicate information and ideas so that others will understand
- Knowledge of psychopathology, family dynamics, family and group psychotherapy. Ability to identify and effectively utilize resources available in the community to accomplish objectives
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families and representatives of other professional disciplines
- Ability to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:
- 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 68 Mental Health Professional Jobs in South Carolina
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Find JobsMental Health Professional Jobs by City in South Carolina
Where South Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mental Health Professional Job Market in South Carolina
A snapshot from current South Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- State of South Carolina59
- Evidence Based Associates5
- Grace Harbour3
- Lander University1
What South Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mental health professional jobs across South Carolina.
- Active South Carolina license such as LPC, LCSW, or LMFT from the South Carolina Board of Examiners
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related clinical field
- Experience delivering individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical or community setting
- Knowledge of evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, or trauma-focused approaches
- Ability to complete clinical documentation accurately within electronic health record systems
- Strong communication skills for collaboration with multidisciplinary treatment teams and care coordinators
Mental Health Professional Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mental health professional in South Carolina?
Becoming a licensed mental health professional in South Carolina requires a master's degree in a clinical discipline followed by supervised post-graduate hours and a passing score on a national licensure exam. The South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology and the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Associate Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists oversee the LPC and LMFT credentials, while the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners governs the LCSW pathway.
Which companies hire mental health professionals in South Carolina?
Companies currently hiring mental health professionals in South Carolina include State of South Carolina, Evidence Based Associates, and Grace Harbour, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health also operates a statewide network of community mental health centers and remains one of the largest consistent employers of licensed clinicians across the state.
Which South Carolina cities have the most mental health professional jobs?
Spartanburg County, Aiken County, and Richland County account for the largest share of mental health professional openings in South Carolina. Columbia leads because it is home to state government behavioral health agencies and major academic medical systems, while Greenville and Charleston draw volume from their rapidly growing hospital networks, university-affiliated programs, and expanding outpatient behavioral health practices serving large and fast-growing metropolitan populations.
Are there remote mental health professional jobs in South Carolina?
Yes, and more than most clinical fields, because telehealth has become a well-established delivery model for outpatient therapy and psychiatric medication management. About 50% of mental health professional openings tied to South Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly providers have adopted virtual care. Roles most likely to be fully remote are individual therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and care coordination positions that do not require in-person crisis response or hands-on treatment.
How can I get hired as a mental health professional in South Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is to secure a licensed associate position, such as Associate Professional Counselor or Associate Social Worker under South Carolina's supervised licensure framework, which lets you practice while accumulating the hours required for full licensure. Prisma Health and MUSC Health both offer new-graduate behavioral health roles and structured supervision programs, and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health regularly hires associate-level clinicians at its community centers. Completing a practicum or internship at a South Carolina facility often leads directly to a post-graduation offer.
Where can I find and apply to mental health professional jobs in South Carolina?
You can find and apply to mental health professional jobs in South Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your license level, clinical specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 68 Mental Health Professional Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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