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Unlicensed Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Counseling Description Major Duties and Responsibilities : The HCBS Unlicensed Behavioral Health ... Provider is an active member in the FLACRA team and provides services identified and approved ...

... Counseling Description Major Duties and Responsibilities : The HCBS Unlicensed Behavioral Health ... Provider is an active member in the FLACRA team and provides services identified and approved ...

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Associate Counselor - (Family) | Cottonwood Tucson | Tucson, Arizona About the Job: PURPOSE ... unlicensed professional work. * CPR and de-escalation certification required (training available ...

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Unlicensed Counselor information

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$28.5K

$57.3K

$75K

How much do unlicensed counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for unlicensed counselor in the United States is $57,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do unlicensed counselors typically collaborate with licensed professionals within a mental health setting?

Unlicensed counselors often work under the supervision of licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists or clinical social workers. They may assist with intake interviews, facilitate group sessions, and offer support to clients while ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines set by their supervising clinician. Regular team meetings and supervision sessions are common, allowing unlicensed counselors to discuss cases, receive feedback, and further develop their skills. This collaborative environment not only ensures quality care for clients but also provides valuable learning opportunities for unlicensed counselors as they progress toward licensure.

What does an unlicensed counselor do?

The job duties of an unlicensed counselor include providing counseling services or mental health treatment for a client. As an unlicensed counselor, you must have some training to provide mental health therapy, but you do not have a license. In this career, you may offer counseling services in a specific area, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family and relationship therapy. Some unlicensed counselors use religious themes and practices in their counseling. Depending on your area of specialization, you may work with other mental health professionals in an office or clinic to provide treatment for an individual.

What is the difference between Unlicensed Counselor vs Licensed Counselor?

AspectUnlicensed CounselorLicensed Counselor
CredentialsTypically no state-issued license; may have a degree in counseling or related fieldMust hold a valid state license (e.g., LPC, LMHC) with required education and supervised experience
Work EnvironmentOften works under supervision, in community agencies, schools, or clinicsWorks independently or with supervision, in similar settings but with legal authority to provide counseling
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in non-clinical roles, internships, or transitional positionsStandard in clinical practice, private practice, and healthcare settings

In summary, Unlicensed Counselors typically have relevant education but lack licensure, limiting their scope of practice. Licensed Counselors have met state requirements, allowing them to provide independent clinical services. The key difference lies in licensure status, affecting their responsibilities and legal authority.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an unlicensed counselor?

To thrive as an Unlicensed Counselor, you typically need a background in psychology or a related field, strong active listening skills, and foundational knowledge of counseling principles. Familiarity with case management software, basic assessment tools, and documentation systems is often expected. Exceptional empathy, nonjudgmental communication, and the ability to build trust are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies are essential to providing effective support, maintaining client confidentiality, and fostering positive outcomes for clients within the boundaries of the role.

What is an unlicensed counselor?

Unlicensed counselors are individuals who provide counseling services but do not hold a state-issued license to practice as a professional counselor or therapist. They may have relevant education or training and often work under supervision or in non-clinical settings such as community programs, schools, or support groups. While they can offer support and guidance, unlicensed counselors are typically limited in the types of services they can provide and are not authorized to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. It's important to verify the qualifications and legal scope of practice for anyone offering counseling services.
What cities are hiring for Unlicensed Counselor jobs? Cities with the most Unlicensed Counselor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Unlicensed Counselor jobs? The most popular types of Unlicensed Counselor jobs are:
What states have the most Unlicensed Counselor jobs? States with the most job openings for Unlicensed Counselor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Unlicensed Counselor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Unlicensed Counselor jobs are:
Infographic showing various Unlicensed Counselor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,280 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Bilingual Therapist (Licensed/Unlicensed) - Bright Futures

Children's Home and Aid

Schaumburg, IL • On-site, Remote

$62K - $64K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Brightpoint invites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leader in the human services sector for 140 years, we aim to advance the well-being of children by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions.

Opportunities for growth. Therapists and Counselors are supported in obtaining and maintaining clinical licensure through in-house clinical supervision and reimbursement for licensure fees. We also offer opportunities for advanced trainings in your field, which may include Play Therapy, Child Parent Psychotherapy, Nurturing Parent Program, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other trainings, depending on your unique interests, as well as opportunities to collaborate with other community partners to expand your professional network and increase your access to supplemental resources to benefit the kids and families you’re serving.
Work/Life balance. We know you can’t pour from an empty cup. We encourage a healthy work/life balance by keeping schedules flexible and caseloads low, with a focus on quality of engagement and services over quantity of billable hours. We offer a generous paid leave package that includes two weeks of paid vacation in the first year (increasing over your tenure to more than five weeks per year), plus two weeks of paid sick time, two additional floating holidays, eleven paid holidays, and a paid winter break between Christmas and New Year's each year.

As a Bilingual Therapist (Licensed/Unlicensed) in our early childhood centers, you will focus on Child-Parent Psychotherapy and infant and early childhood mental health. You will assess the behavioral health of participants and provide clinical assessment, diagnosis, and evidenced-based therapy services as applicable.

Candidate qualifications:

Licensed Candidate

  • Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or a closely related clinical field, required.
  • Current Illinois clinical license (LCPC, LCSW, LMFT) required.
  • Obtains and maintains any applicable certifications based on program model and/or required by program funder, which may include Domestic Violence training, Trauma-Based Relational Intervention, Play Therapy, or other modalities within one year of employment required.
  • Experience with an evidence-based or evidence-informed treatment modality, such as Theraplay, the ARC framework, or other trauma-informed practice preferred.
  • Valid driver's license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle required.
  • The ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish required.

Unlicensed Candidate

  • Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or a closely related clinical field, required.
  • Eligible for clinical licensure in the state of Illinois (LCSW, LCPC or LMFT) and will obtain, and maintain, clinical Illinois license within 36 months of employment required.
  • Obtains and maintains any applicable certifications based on program model and/or required by program funder, which may include Domestic Violence training, Trauma-Based Relational Intervention, Play Therapy, or other modalities within one year of employment required.
  • Experience with an evidence-based or evidence-informed treatment modality, such as Theraplay, the ARC framework, or other trauma-informed practice strongly preferred.
  • Valid driver's license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle required.
  • The ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish required.

Job details:

  • Compensation: Salary Range: Licensed $62,100-$64,100; Unlicensed $57,100-$59,100; Offers are commensurate with experience and bilingual candidates may receive additional financial compensation. The salary range provided represents our current estimate for this role at the time of posting and is subject to change. The final salary will be determined based on a range of factors, including but not limited to, a candidate's relevant experience, education, qualifications, skills, certifications, and alignment with organizational needs. We are dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to fostering a diverse workforce while providing equal opportunities for all candidates.
  • Clinical licensure: Licensed clinicians receive reimbursement of licensure renewal fees; Licensure-eligible therapists receive weekly clinical supervision towards licensure, and reimbursement of clinical exam registration fees.
  • Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance, 3+ weeks paid time off in the first year including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day (PTO increases with tenure); 11 paid holidays, supplemental insurance options, 401(k) with match (more benefits details here)
  • Location: Hybrid (early learning centers/remote). Main office will be Carpentersville, IL and also serving Schaumburg, IL location.
  • Schedule: Full time, salaried, general business hours with some flexibility. 
  • We don’t just hire talent—we grow it: Emerging Leaders will have access to leadership development opportunities and one-on-one mentorship.
  • Student Loan Forgiveness: Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).