Entry Level Mental Health Therapy Jobs
New grad mental health therapy jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong internship background or supervised clinical hours can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, with employers like New York State Office of Mental Health and SUNY Upstate Medical University hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 11+ Entry Level Mental Health Therapy jobs
Duties Description
Hutchings Psychiatric Center (HPC) is recruiting Direct Care Staff to work as Mental Health Therapy Aides. Full time opportunities are available on all shifts including weekends. No previous psychiatric experience is required. Mental Health Therapy Aides (MHTA) are part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team focused on providing compassionate care to individuals with serious mental illness. Direct Care Staff/MHTA at HPC, help support hope and recovery by providing direct care, including:
- Supporting patient health and safety
- Assisting individuals with personal care tasks
- Teaching individuals’ daily life skills like personal hygiene and nutrition
- Accompanying individuals to treatment, activities, and appointments on and off facility grounds
- Observing individuals' responses to treatment and documenting observations
- Attending treatment team meetings and sharing observations on progress toward recovery goals
- Assisting in crisis and emergency situations to protect the welfare of individuals, staff, and others.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates from outside or within State Service can be considered for hire under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement – Statewide (NY HELPS) program as a Mental Health Therapy Aide if they have a High School or High School Equivalency Diploma. OR Candidates within State Service can be considered for transfer to a competitive class position if they have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
License Requirement: Depending on assignment, you may be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
Additional Comments
If you would like to join the HPC and contribute to a workforce dedicated to public service, we offer a generous benefits package including:
- Competitive Salaries
- NYS medical, dental, & vision insurance
- Access to tuition assistance programs
- Excellent opportunities for advancement & professional growth
- Paid time off – 13 paid vacation days in the first year, 5 paid personal days, 13 paid holidays, & paid sick leave
- NYS Retirement programs
Background checks will be required. There are several positions available. Candidates must be willing to work any shift and pass days. Posted hiring rate includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for CSEA ISU Grade 09 ($44,560), an Increase Hiring Rate ($5,836), Geographic Pay Differential ($4,000). The posted job rate is the sum of the statutory job rate ($54,773) and Geographic Pay Differential ($4,000).
NOTE: Medicaid and Medicare: In order to be eligible for appointment and to maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). If you are appointed and subsequently listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of these lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program), you may be terminated from your employment.
In addition:
- You must be able to communicate and follow oral and written instructions and directions in English in order to perform the duties of the position.
- If you are selected for appointment, you may be required to attend a physical exam. Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include a medical standards evaluation and a drug screening test. Failure to meet the standards may result in your disqualification. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm.
- License Requirement: Depending on assignment, you may be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
Duties Description
Hutchings Psychiatric Center (HPC) is recruiting Direct Care Staff to work as Mental Health Therapy Aides. Full time opportunities are available on all shifts including weekends. No previous psychiatric experience is required. Mental Health Therapy Aides (MHTA) are part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team focused on providing compassionate care to individuals with serious mental illness. Direct Care Staff/MHTA at HPC, help support hope and recovery by providing direct care, including:
- Supporting patient health and safety
- Assisting individuals with personal care tasks
- Teaching individuals’ daily life skills like personal hygiene and nutrition
- Accompanying individuals to treatment, activities, and appointments on and off facility grounds
- Observing individuals' responses to treatment and documenting observations
- Attending treatment team meetings and sharing observations on progress toward recovery goals
- Assisting in crisis and emergency situations to protect the welfare of individuals, staff, and others.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates from outside or within State Service can be considered for hire under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement – Statewide (NY HELPS) program as a Mental Health Therapy Aide if they have a High School or High School Equivalency Diploma. OR Candidates within State Service can be considered for transfer to a competitive class position if they have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
License Requirement: Depending on assignment, you may be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
Additional Comments
If you would like to join the HPC and contribute to a workforce dedicated to public service, we offer a generous benefits package including:
- Competitive Salaries
- NYS medical, dental, & vision insurance
- Access to tuition assistance programs
- Excellent opportunities for advancement & professional growth
- Paid time off – 13 paid vacation days in the first year, 5 paid personal days, 13 paid holidays, & paid sick leave
- NYS Retirement programs
Background checks will be required. There are several positions available. Candidates must be willing to work any shift and pass days. Posted hiring rate includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for CSEA ISU Grade 09 ($44,560), an Increase Hiring Rate ($5,836), Geographic Pay Differential ($4,000). The posted job rate is the sum of the statutory job rate ($54,773) and Geographic Pay Differential ($4,000).
NOTE: Medicaid and Medicare: In order to be eligible for appointment and to maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). If you are appointed and subsequently listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of these lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program), you may be terminated from your employment.
In addition:
- You must be able to communicate and follow oral and written instructions and directions in English in order to perform the duties of the position.
- If you are selected for appointment, you may be required to attend a physical exam. Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include a medical standards evaluation and a drug screening test. Failure to meet the standards may result in your disqualification. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm.
- License Requirement: Depending on assignment, you may be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
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Entry Level Mental Health Therapy Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level mental health therapy job?
Start by completing your required supervised hours and securing any state licensure or registration your target role requires, such as an associate or intern license. Employers at this level look for candidates who can demonstrate hands-on clinical experience through practicum placements, internships, or volunteer crisis line work. A clear documentation style, familiarity with common treatment modalities like CBT, and strong references from supervisors give entry level applicants a real edge.
Which companies hire entry level mental health therapys?
Companies hiring entry level mental health therapys right now include New York State Office of Mental Health and SUNY Upstate Medical University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a wide range of organizations, including community mental health centers, outpatient clinics, school districts, hospital systems, and telehealth providers that build their caseloads with new and junior clinicians.
Are there remote entry level mental health therapy jobs?
Yes, though remote availability at the entry level is more limited than for experienced clinicians. About 0% of entry level mental health therapy openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the growth of telehealth platforms that hire new graduates to serve clients virtually. Many remote roles still require a valid state license for the state where clients are located.
Are these new grad mental health therapy jobs?
Yes, the listings on this page include new grad, recent graduate, and junior mental health therapy roles. A new grad-friendly posting typically welcomes zero to two years of experience, counts internship placements or practicum hours toward the requirement, and may accept candidates who are working toward full licensure under supervision. Look for titles that include words like associate, intern, or resident to identify postings built for new grads.
Which industries hire the most entry level mental health therapys?
Entry Level mental health therapy roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive entry level hiring because they operate high-volume service models, benefit from supervision structures that support pre-licensed clinicians, and face consistent demand that creates steady openings for candidates just starting out.