Mental Health Specialist Jobs
Mental Health Specialist jobs are open across community health centers, hospitals, schools, and government agencies, at every level from entry-level counselor to clinical supervisor, with specializations in crisis intervention, case management, and behavioral health. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Description
Job Description
POSITION: Mental Health Specialist
REPORTS TO: Manager of Psychological Services
POSITION TYPE: 10-month
START DATE: Immediate
COMPENSATION: $60,818 - $72,981, Home Office Grade 5
At YES Prep, work for a mission that impacts the life trajectory of students and their families. YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. Grow as an authentic leader and be part of a high-performing, team-oriented culture.
Some quick stats about us:
- 21,000 Students
- 2,600 Team Members
- 16 Secondary Campuses
- 12 Elementary Campuses
- 91% Students Who Qualify for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
- 96% Hispanic & African-American Students
- 99% Students Who Are Accepted to a 4-Year University
- 85% First-Generation College Students
- Ranked in the Top 100 High Schools in the Nation, U.S. News & World Report
We serve the students of Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city across the United States. There are over 20 public-school districts and other great public charter school options within Houston’s city limits serving our increasing population.
THE OPPORTUNITY
YES Prep needs a dynamic Mental Health Specialist with a robust set of experiences to make our mission a reality. As a YES Prep employee, you will achieve jaw-dropping results, create pathways to opportunity for our students, and build transformative relationships.
To put it simply, you will provide counseling as a related service to students in special education and collaborate with the behavioral support and psychological services teams to provide the best mental health support to students in special education.
THE ROLE
When you join the YES Prep team, some of the work and responsibilities will include:
- Creating counseling goals and objectives that propel students in special education towards increased academic and behavioral success, independence, and the opportunity to lead choice-filled lives;
- Providing superior direct and consultative counseling services to students in special education with emotional or behavioral needs;
- Consulting with parents, teachers, administrators, and other staff members to ensure implementation of successful emotional or behavioral strategies and techniques within the school setting and at-home training;
- Documenting student progress towards goals through thorough session notes and record keeping;
- Providing counseling service updates within Admission, Review and Dismissal meetings;
- Assisting the psychological services team with conducting evaluations and interpreting results to determine if students require counseling as a related service and effectively conveying the assessment results to students, families, and school staff;
- Collaborating with members of the behavioral support and psychological services teams on shared projects, goals, and the creation and implementation of professional development;
- Attending staff development in-services and workshops to enhance professional skills;
- Additional duties as assigned.
THE PERSON
We seek staff with a multitude of backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. Certain traits consistently shine through our most successful employees: passion for the mission, drive for results, care for students, and resilience. Other traits needed and desired for this role are:
THE MUST HAVES
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
- Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work from an accredited college or university
- Valid Texas Professional Licensure in at least one of the following:
o Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
o Licensed Social Worker (LMSW, LCSW)
o Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- 2-5 years of counseling experience in an educational setting
- Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations as they pertain to mental health within the school setting
- Experience communicating effectively with parents, students, and staff
- Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
- Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
- Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
- A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional
- Ability to work outside of normal hours and on weekends
- Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
- Creates and maintains positive working relationships on a team and/or in a highly collaborative environment
- A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional
THE MUST HAVE BELIEFS
- Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of YES Prep Public Schools
- Desire to disrupt systemic status quos in education
- Willingness to go above and beyond to disrupt said status quos
- Passion to develop resiliency through a relentless pursuit of jaw-dropping results
- Conviction that high expectations + high accountability = high performance and high growth
THE NICE TO HAVES
- 2 years' experience in providing responsive counseling services to children or adolescents
- Bilingual – Spanish or other language
THE PERKS
- Compensation – This position is an exempt, salaried position; offers commensurate with experience.
- Health and Supplemental Insurance – A $0 monthly medical option or a $24 monthly option that includes $50 YES Prep Paid Health Savings Account contribution, in addition to a variety of supplemental benefits including Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, etc. Employees must work 20+ hours a week to be eligible for a full spectrum of benefits, and 10 hours a week minimum for medical benefits.
- Retirement Plans – Participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and an optional 457b Retirement Plan.
- Paid Time Off – Employees working 20+ hours a week receive 10 days of Paid Time Off in addition to the system closures during the Academic Calendar.
- Paid Leave Programming – In the event you need to be out due to medical needs (including maternity and paternity leave), YES Prep offers paid leave, paid out at 100%, based on eligibility and tenure.
- Professional Development - YES Prep values longevity and performance over time. We invest in developing leaders through high-quality programs, effective coaching, and ongoing professional development.
- Award Winning Culture – The strong cultures of our campuses and Home Office are just one of many reasons we were named Houston’s Best Place To Work in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2025. We won the 2012 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education and were a 2016 finalist as well
YES Prep is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood.
Description
Job Description
POSITION: Mental Health Specialist
REPORTS TO: Manager of Psychological Services
POSITION TYPE: 10-month
START DATE: Immediate
COMPENSATION: $60,818 - $72,981, Home Office Grade 5
At YES Prep, work for a mission that impacts the life trajectory of students and their families. YES Prep creates pathways to extraordinary opportunity through best-in-class development, competitive compensation and benefits, and recognition for your impact. Grow as an authentic leader and be part of a high-performing, team-oriented culture.
Some quick stats about us:
- 21,000 Students
- 2,600 Team Members
- 16 Secondary Campuses
- 12 Elementary Campuses
- 91% Students Who Qualify for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
- 96% Hispanic & African-American Students
- 99% Students Who Are Accepted to a 4-Year University
- 85% First-Generation College Students
- Ranked in the Top 100 High Schools in the Nation, U.S. News & World Report
We serve the students of Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city across the United States. There are over 20 public-school districts and other great public charter school options within Houston’s city limits serving our increasing population.
THE OPPORTUNITY
YES Prep needs a dynamic Mental Health Specialist with a robust set of experiences to make our mission a reality. As a YES Prep employee, you will achieve jaw-dropping results, create pathways to opportunity for our students, and build transformative relationships.
To put it simply, you will provide counseling as a related service to students in special education and collaborate with the behavioral support and psychological services teams to provide the best mental health support to students in special education.
THE ROLE
When you join the YES Prep team, some of the work and responsibilities will include:
- Creating counseling goals and objectives that propel students in special education towards increased academic and behavioral success, independence, and the opportunity to lead choice-filled lives;
- Providing superior direct and consultative counseling services to students in special education with emotional or behavioral needs;
- Consulting with parents, teachers, administrators, and other staff members to ensure implementation of successful emotional or behavioral strategies and techniques within the school setting and at-home training;
- Documenting student progress towards goals through thorough session notes and record keeping;
- Providing counseling service updates within Admission, Review and Dismissal meetings;
- Assisting the psychological services team with conducting evaluations and interpreting results to determine if students require counseling as a related service and effectively conveying the assessment results to students, families, and school staff;
- Collaborating with members of the behavioral support and psychological services teams on shared projects, goals, and the creation and implementation of professional development;
- Attending staff development in-services and workshops to enhance professional skills;
- Additional duties as assigned.
THE PERSON
We seek staff with a multitude of backgrounds, talents, interests, and ideas. Certain traits consistently shine through our most successful employees: passion for the mission, drive for results, care for students, and resilience. Other traits needed and desired for this role are:
THE MUST HAVES
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
- Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work from an accredited college or university
- Valid Texas Professional Licensure in at least one of the following:
o Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
o Licensed Social Worker (LMSW, LCSW)
o Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- 2-5 years of counseling experience in an educational setting
- Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations as they pertain to mental health within the school setting
- Experience communicating effectively with parents, students, and staff
- Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
- Ability to maintain emotional control under stress
- Ability to work urgently in a fast-paced and results-oriented environment
- A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional
- Ability to work outside of normal hours and on weekends
- Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
- Creates and maintains positive working relationships on a team and/or in a highly collaborative environment
- A dedication to learn, grow, and develop as a professional
THE MUST HAVE BELIEFS
- Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of YES Prep Public Schools
- Desire to disrupt systemic status quos in education
- Willingness to go above and beyond to disrupt said status quos
- Passion to develop resiliency through a relentless pursuit of jaw-dropping results
- Conviction that high expectations + high accountability = high performance and high growth
THE NICE TO HAVES
- 2 years' experience in providing responsive counseling services to children or adolescents
- Bilingual – Spanish or other language
THE PERKS
- Compensation – This position is an exempt, salaried position; offers commensurate with experience.
- Health and Supplemental Insurance – A $0 monthly medical option or a $24 monthly option that includes $50 YES Prep Paid Health Savings Account contribution, in addition to a variety of supplemental benefits including Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, etc. Employees must work 20+ hours a week to be eligible for a full spectrum of benefits, and 10 hours a week minimum for medical benefits.
- Retirement Plans – Participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and an optional 457b Retirement Plan.
- Paid Time Off – Employees working 20+ hours a week receive 10 days of Paid Time Off in addition to the system closures during the Academic Calendar.
- Paid Leave Programming – In the event you need to be out due to medical needs (including maternity and paternity leave), YES Prep offers paid leave, paid out at 100%, based on eligibility and tenure.
- Professional Development - YES Prep values longevity and performance over time. We invest in developing leaders through high-quality programs, effective coaching, and ongoing professional development.
- Award Winning Culture – The strong cultures of our campuses and Home Office are just one of many reasons we were named Houston’s Best Place To Work in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2025. We won the 2012 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education and were a 2016 finalist as well
YES Prep is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood.
Mental Health Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
See All 411+ Mental Health Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health Specialist JobsMental Health Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Telecare Corporation37
- Dungarvin27
- Rutgers University24
- SPARC Services & Programs9
- WVU Medicine7
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services11
- Education6
- Government & Public Sector2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mental health specialist jobs.
- Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related clinical field
- Active state licensure such as LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or an associate license under supervision
- Experience with electronic health records and clinical documentation in platforms like Epic or Credible
- Proficiency in evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, or trauma-informed care
- Crisis intervention training and familiarity with safety planning protocols
- Ability to complete timely progress notes and meet productivity or caseload benchmarks
Tips for Your Mental Health Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to clinical populations
Hiring managers scan for the specific populations you've worked with, such as adults with severe mental illness, adolescents, or veterans. Name them explicitly in your work history rather than using broad terms like 'diverse clientele' or 'various settings'.
List every licensure status clearly
Include your current licensure level, the state it's issued in, and whether you're under supervision hours. Many postings require a specific license type, and ambiguous entries like 'licensed therapist' cause recruiters to skip your application before reading further.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists mental health specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by funding source
Federally Qualified Health Centers, state-funded community mental health centers, and private practices each have different caseload structures and pay scales. Knowing which type you prefer lets you filter out postings that won't match your working style or documentation requirements.
Prepare a brief clinical philosophy statement
Interviewers regularly ask how you approach treatment planning or handle resistance from clients. Draft a two-to-three sentence answer grounded in a named modality, such as motivational interviewing or CBT, before your first phone screen so you don't improvise it.
Negotiate supervision hours during the offer
If you're still accumulating hours toward full licensure, confirm during the offer stage whether the employer provides a qualified supervisor, how many hours per week are available, and whether supervision is paid time. These details rarely appear in job postings and are much harder to change after you accept.
Mental Health Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most mental health specialists?
Telecare Corporation, Dungarvin, and Rutgers University are hiring the most mental health specialists right now, with openings concentrated in California, Minnesota, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Demand is especially high at community behavioral health organizations and large integrated health systems.
How many mental health specialist jobs are remote?
About 39% of mental health specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, though availability varies considerably by role type. Telehealth counseling and case management positions tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while crisis stabilization and school-based roles almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become a mental health specialist?
You typically start by earning a master's degree in counseling, social work, or clinical psychology. After graduating, you apply for an associate or provisional license in your state, which requires passing a licensing exam such as the NCE or LCSW exam. You then complete supervised clinical hours, often ranging across individual and group therapy settings, before applying for full licensure and independent practice.
Can you get hired as a mental health specialist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level mental health specialist roles exist, particularly at community mental health centers, residential programs, and crisis hotlines that hire candidates who hold a relevant degree but are still working toward full licensure. Emphasizing your practicum placements, clinical populations you worked with during graduate training, and any volunteer or internship work in behavioral health settings helps compensate for limited paid experience.
What does the mental health specialist interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone screen focused on your licensure status and clinical background, followed by a structured in-person or video interview with a hiring manager and sometimes a clinical supervisor. You'll typically be asked scenario-based questions about crisis response, documentation practices, and how you handle ethical dilemmas. Some organizations add a second interview with a multidisciplinary team before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to mental health specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to mental health specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your licensure level, clinical specialization, and preferred setting, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 411+ Mental Health Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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