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Mental Health Therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

Denton, TX · On-site

$70K - $115K/yr

EMDR, CPT, IFS, or PE for the treatment of PTSD or CPTSD; DBT and experience working with clients ... The Counselors will provide individual counseling to clients, with the option to also provide group ...

EXHALE COUNSELING SOLUTIONS

Be Seen First

Mental Health Therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

Denton, TX · On-site

$70K - $115K/yr

EMDR, CPT, IFS, or PE for the treatment of PTSD or CPTSD; DBT and experience working with clients ... The Counselors will provide individual counseling to clients, with the option to also provide group ...

Triton Behavioral Health

Licensed Counselor

Dearborn, MI · Remote

$30 - $40/hr

... counseling sessions. This position is ideal for those who want to get paid fairly and on time for ... Conditions to be treated include (but are not limited to) depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance ...

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Ptsd Counseling information

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$30K

$57.4K

$83K

How much do ptsd counseling jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for ptsd counseling in the United States is $57,425.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are good careers for people with PTSD?

PTSD counseling is a career that involves providing mental health support to individuals with trauma-related conditions. Other suitable careers include social work, psychology, healthcare, and roles that offer flexible schedules and low-stress environments. These careers often require relevant certifications and training in mental health or related fields.

How to become a PTSD counselor?

To become a PTSD counselor, you typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, followed by a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or social work. Licensure or certification is required in most regions, which involves completing supervised clinical hours and passing an exam. Developing skills in trauma-informed care and gaining experience through internships or supervised practice are also important steps.

How to make $200,000 as a therapist?

To earn $200,000 as a PTSD counselor, therapists often need to build a private practice, specialize in high-demand areas, or work in settings with higher compensation such as hospitals or clinics. Increasing experience, obtaining advanced certifications, and expanding client volume can also contribute to higher income levels.

What are some common challenges faced by PTSD counselors, and how can professionals prepare for them?

PTSD counselors often encounter emotionally intense situations as they support clients dealing with trauma, which can lead to secondary traumatic stress or burnout. Professionals can prepare by maintaining strong boundaries, seeking regular supervision, and engaging in self-care practices. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—such as psychiatrists, social workers, and primary care providers—also helps ensure comprehensive care for clients while offering counselors ongoing support and professional growth opportunities.

What field of counseling makes the most money?

In counseling, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists tend to earn the highest salaries, often due to advanced degrees and licensure requirements. While licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists earn less on average, specialization in areas like neuropsychology or forensic psychology can lead to higher income. Salary also depends on work setting, experience, and geographic location.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PTSD Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PTSD Counselor, you need a background in psychology or social work, a relevant master’s degree, and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and electronic health record systems is typically required. Strong active listening, empathy, and emotional resilience are critical soft skills for building trust and supporting clients through trauma recovery. These skills and qualifications are vital for providing effective, ethical care and helping clients achieve positive mental health outcomes.

What is PTSD counseling?

PTSD counseling is a type of therapy specifically designed to help individuals who have experienced trauma and are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This counseling often involves evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and other trauma-focused therapies. The goal is to help people process their traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms, and regain a sense of control and well-being. Counseling can be provided individually or in group settings, and treatment plans are tailored to each person's needs.

What is the difference between Ptsd Counseling vs Mental Health Counselor?

AspectPtsd CounselingMental Health Counselor
CredentialsLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Clinical Trauma SpecialistLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, private practice, veterans' centersCommunity agencies, private practice, hospitals, schools
Industry UsageSpecialized in trauma and PTSD treatmentBroader mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma

Ptsd Counseling focuses specifically on treating trauma-related disorders like PTSD, often requiring specialized trauma certifications. Mental Health Counselors address a wide range of mental health issues, including trauma, but with a broader scope. Both roles require similar credentials and often work in similar environments, but Ptsd Counseling is more specialized in trauma care.

More about Ptsd Counseling jobs
What states have the most Ptsd Counseling jobs? States with the most job openings for Ptsd Counseling jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ptsd Counseling jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ptsd Counseling jobs are:
Infographic showing various Ptsd Counseling job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,425 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Senior Social Worker (PTSD Clinical Team)

Veterans Health Administration

San Jose, CA • On-site, Remote

$129K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Veterans Health Administration rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,002 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 887 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Summary
The incumbent in this position functions as a Senior Social Worker under the guidance of the PCT Program Clinical Coordinator, who is ultimately responsible for all the PCT Clinics. The incumbent is the Site Coordinator for the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team (PCT). The PCT is a state-of-the-art specialized outpatient team providing evidence-based PTSD treatment and treatment for specific comorbid disorders to Veterans of all eras.
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Duties
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VA Careers - Social Work: https://youtube.com/embed/enRhz_ua_UU
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
The incumbent manages consultations, performs empirically based screening and assessment, and provides empirically based treatments for PTSD, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals, groups, and families enrolled in the PCT. One hundred percent (100%) of the incumbent's time is spent in the PCT.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Provides independent and expert clinical psychosocial, psychotherapy, and case management services in the specialized area of practice for PTSD to Veterans who tend to have serious and severe crises, may lack any familial and community support, may be poor self-monitors, may frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, or may have major deficits in coping skills and require continuing professional psychological support.
  • The Senior Social Worker has specialized knowledge of practice related to PTSD, its complexities, and specific comorbid disorders, such as substance use, depression, and relational problems.
  • The Senior Social Worker has the ability to provide independent and expert clinical psychosocial, psychotherapy, and case management services in the specialized area of practice for PTSD to Veterans who tend to have serious and severe crises, may lack any familial and community support, may be poor self-monitors, may frequently fail to comply with instructions and treatment, etc.
  • The Senior Social Worker has an increased depth and breadth of practice skills; has expertise in participating in the professional development of colleagues through mentorship, teaching or providing orientation to less experienced social workers; provides clinical supervision for social work licensure or certification; demonstrates leadership in developing and expanding professional intervention strategies; demonstrates leadership in defining and attending to professional practice issues; and has the ability to expand the conceptual knowledge of the profession.
  • Diagnosis: Incumbent incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnoses within approved scope of practice.
  • Treatment Planning/Goal Setting: Incumbent is responsible for working with the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop a treatment plan with the Veteran based on their assessment, setting achievable treatment goals with the Veteran/family.
  • Treatment/Interventions: Incumbent has the knowledge and ability to provide individual, group, and family psychotherapy and advanced-level case management interventions used in the treatment of Veterans with specialized problems such as major mental illnesses, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, and other serious disorders within their scope of practice.
  • Advocacy: The incumbent understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family.
  • Crisis Intervention: In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency, staff will follow the protocol of the program at this VA facility.
  • Supportive counseling: Social worker will provide the Veterans and their caregivers with ongoing supportive counseling.
  • Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or as determined by the supervisor.
Compressed/Flexible:This may be authorized at the supervisor's discretion.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full-time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 11006-F
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Must pass a pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA social worker are prescribed by statute in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(9), as amended by section 205 of Public Law 106-419, enacted November 1, 2000. To qualify for appointment as a social worker in VHA, all applicants must meet the following:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work.
  • Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
  • Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
  • Loss of Licensure or Certification: Once licensed or certified, social workers must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of licensure or certification will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
  • Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.
  • English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Senior Social Worker, GS-12:
  • Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice, of which one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-master's training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty.
  • Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level, which includes an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    • Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced-level psychosocial and/or case management.
    • Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
    • Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.
    • Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills.
    • Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.
  • Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Senior social workers are licensed or certified to independently practice social work at an advanced level. Senior social workers typically practice in a major program area such as but not limited to: Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site; a Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Center, or a national VHA referral center, such as a national Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or a national Transplant Center, or other program areas of equivalent scope and complexity. The senior social worker may be assigned administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns. Assignments include clinical settings where they have limited access to onsite supervision such as CBOCs or satellite outpatient clinics. The senior social worker collaborates with the other members of the treatment team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to this population, and ensures the care provided is of the highest quality. The senior social worker provides leadership, direction,

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About Veterans Health Administration

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, serving millions of Veterans each year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, and many other parts of the US, the VHA operates under the Department of Veteran Affairs, as suggested by their official website va.gov. The VHA is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to its veterans. The organization offers a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care, including mental health services, research, and pharmacy benefits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US

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