Mental Health Specialist Jobs in Missouri
Mental Health Specialist jobs in Missouri are in strong and consistent demand, concentrated in community mental health centers, state-operated psychiatric facilities, Veterans Affairs healthcare systems, and school districts serving a wide range of counties from St. Louis and Kansas City to Springfield. The largest hiring metros are St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield, where employers such as Compass Health Network, BJC HealthCare, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health maintain steady rosters of mental health specialists. The most sought-after specialties in Missouri include crisis intervention, substance use disorder counseling, and children and adolescent behavioral health. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The Older Adult Mental Health Specialist provides case management, care coordination, education, outreach, and program support to adults age 60+ experiencing mental health and age-related challenges. The Specialist connects older adults, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to promote recovery, independence, healthy aging, and quality of life.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Case Management & Care Coordination
- Provide case management, assessments, individualized care planning, advocacy, and resource coordination.
- Connect clients with mental health and medical care, housing, financial assistance, transportation, home health, nutrition, and social services.
- Respond to referrals and assist with behavioral health crises and treatment coordination.
- Collaborate with clients, families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community partners.
- Educate clients and caregivers about mental health, treatment, coping strategies, and community resources.
- Build partnerships with senior centers, senior living communities, healthcare providers, and other organizations serving older adults.
- Develop and present evidence-based education on behavioral health, healthy aging, grief, depression, caregiver wellness, and related topics.
- Facilitate support groups, community classes, workshops, wellness events, and outreach activities.
- Represent the agency at community meetings, coalitions, and networking events.
- Promote Older Adult Programming through newsletters, flyers, email, social media, and other communications.
- Track program activities and outcomes and assist with grant reporting and funding efforts.
- Promo the annual Older Adult and Caregivers Conference and other special events.
- Complete required documentation and maintain compliance with agency, funding, and regulatory standards.
- Maintain knowledge of Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Mandatory Reporting requirements.
- Maintain required certifications, training, licensure (if applicable), driver's license, transportation, and insurance.
- Meet productivity and performance expectations and perform other assigned duties.
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, Gerontology, or a related field required; master's degree preferred.
- Equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
- Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and required auto insurance.
- CPR/First Aid certification required.
- 1–3 years of experience in behavioral health, case management, community outreach, education, or related services, preferably with older adults or caregivers.
- Experience facilitating presentations, educational programs, or support groups preferred.
- Knowledge of behavioral health, aging services, community resources, public benefits, and the needs of older adults and caregivers.
- Understanding of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care.
- Strong communication, presentation, facilitation, organization, and time-management skills.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships, solve problems, manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn electronic health record systems.
- Ability to work independently and effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
The Older Adult Mental Health Specialist provides case management, care coordination, education, outreach, and program support to adults age 60+ experiencing mental health and age-related challenges. The Specialist connects older adults, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to promote recovery, independence, healthy aging, and quality of life.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Case Management & Care Coordination
- Provide case management, assessments, individualized care planning, advocacy, and resource coordination.
- Connect clients with mental health and medical care, housing, financial assistance, transportation, home health, nutrition, and social services.
- Respond to referrals and assist with behavioral health crises and treatment coordination.
- Collaborate with clients, families, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community partners.
- Educate clients and caregivers about mental health, treatment, coping strategies, and community resources.
- Build partnerships with senior centers, senior living communities, healthcare providers, and other organizations serving older adults.
- Develop and present evidence-based education on behavioral health, healthy aging, grief, depression, caregiver wellness, and related topics.
- Facilitate support groups, community classes, workshops, wellness events, and outreach activities.
- Represent the agency at community meetings, coalitions, and networking events.
- Promote Older Adult Programming through newsletters, flyers, email, social media, and other communications.
- Track program activities and outcomes and assist with grant reporting and funding efforts.
- Promo the annual Older Adult and Caregivers Conference and other special events.
- Complete required documentation and maintain compliance with agency, funding, and regulatory standards.
- Maintain knowledge of Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Mandatory Reporting requirements.
- Maintain required certifications, training, licensure (if applicable), driver's license, transportation, and insurance.
- Meet productivity and performance expectations and perform other assigned duties.
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, Gerontology, or a related field required; master's degree preferred.
- Equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
- Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and required auto insurance.
- CPR/First Aid certification required.
- 1–3 years of experience in behavioral health, case management, community outreach, education, or related services, preferably with older adults or caregivers.
- Experience facilitating presentations, educational programs, or support groups preferred.
- Knowledge of behavioral health, aging services, community resources, public benefits, and the needs of older adults and caregivers.
- Understanding of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered care.
- Strong communication, presentation, facilitation, organization, and time-management skills.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships, solve problems, manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound judgment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn electronic health record systems.
- Ability to work independently and effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
See All 6 Mental Health Specialist Jobs in Missouri
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Find Mental Health Specialist JobsMental Health Specialist Jobs by City in Missouri
Where Missouri roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mental Health Specialist Job Market in Missouri
A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Missouri Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mental health specialist jobs across Missouri.
- Active Missouri license such as LPC, LCSW, or PLPC required or in process
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related behavioral health field
- Experience conducting individual and group therapy sessions with diverse populations
- Proficiency in documentation and electronic health record systems such as CERNER or Epic
- Knowledge of crisis de-escalation techniques and Missouri mandatory reporting requirements
- Ability to coordinate care with multidisciplinary teams across community and inpatient settings
Mental Health Specialist Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mental health specialist in Missouri?
Most mental health specialist roles in Missouri require a master's degree in counseling, social work, or psychology, followed by licensure through the Missouri State Committee of Psychologists or the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. Clinical roles typically require a Professional Counselor license or Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, which involves supervised post-graduate hours and a licensing exam. Some entry-level specialist positions accept candidates working toward licensure under supervision.
Which companies hire mental health specialists in Missouri?
Companies currently hiring mental health specialists in Missouri include Burrell Behavioral Health, Beacon Mental Health, and Research Psychiatric Center, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Missouri's large community mental health center network, anchored by providers like Compass Health Network and Burrell Behavioral Health, generates consistent statewide openings across urban and rural counties.
Which Missouri cities have the most mental health specialist jobs?
Hannibal, Kansas City, and Webster Groves have the most mental health specialist openings in Missouri. St. Louis and Kansas City lead because of their concentration of major health systems, VA medical centers, and community mental health organizations, while Springfield anchors southwest Missouri as the regional hub for Burrell Behavioral Health and CoxHealth behavioral services, which draw listings from surrounding rural areas into the metro.
Are there remote mental health specialist jobs in Missouri?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the specific role, since direct-care and crisis positions require on-site presence while clinical telehealth counseling and care coordination roles are more frequently remote. About 0% of mental health specialist openings tied to Missouri are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting growth in telehealth platforms serving Missouri's rural counties. Telehealth therapy and behavioral health case management are the sub-roles most often listed as fully remote.
How can I get hired as a mental health specialist in Missouri with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a mental health technician, behavioral health aide, or case manager associate role at a Missouri community mental health center, which regularly hire candidates who are pre-licensed or degree-in-progress. Compass Health Network and the Missouri Department of Mental Health run supervised internship and residency pipelines that count toward licensure hours. Candidates with a bachelor's in psychology or social work and a Missouri Qualified Mental Health Professional registration have a clear edge for these entry positions.
Where can I find and apply to mental health specialist jobs in Missouri?
You can find and apply to mental health specialist jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current Missouri openings across community health centers, hospital systems, schools, and state agencies. Search the roles that fit your license status and experience level and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 6 Mental Health Specialist Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health Specialist Jobs