Licensed Mental Health Therapist

Job Description Plainsman Therapy is expanding our clinical team to meet increasing demand in the Bismarck community and throughout North Dakota. We're looking for a skilled fully licensed practitioner who can work with our core populations—men, women, and children dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, addiction recovery, grief, and personal growth.​While we welcome strong generalists, we're particularly interested in clinicians with expertise in one or more of these three areas:Couples Therapy – Helping couples move beyond the same old arguments into actual understanding and connection while working to heal present relational wounds.Child Therapy (Ages 5-17) – Meeting kids where they are through play, creativity, and developmentally-appropriate work that sticks.Men's Issues (Ages 25-65) – Supporting men through transitions that often get minimized: fatherhood, career transitions, divorce, infertility, burnout, and isolation.If you're a solid clinician who wants autonomy to practice the way you know works—whether you bring specialty expertise or strong general practice skills—keep reading.What Plainsman Therapy Is AboutWe're a small, intentional practice built on a simple philosophy: we're here to help people heal and grow.We work with men, women, and children dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, addiction recovery, grief, and the messy work of becoming who they're meant to be.​We're not interested in sticking with bare-minimum surface-level coping strategies or therapy that feels good in the moment but doesn't move the needle. Our clients come here because they're stuck—cycling back to old patterns, unsure of their role in life, carrying trauma, overwhelmed by work stress, or just lost. We meet them there and help them find solid ground.​Our approach is grounded, practical, and depth-oriented. We value evidence-based practice, clinical excellence, and the kind of therapeutic relationship that actually creates change.​The Role: Licensed Therapist (General Practice)We're hiring a licensed therapist who can work effectively with our core client populations: adults and adolescents dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, OCD, ADHD, addiction recovery, and personal growth work.You'll build a caseload that reflects both your clinical strengths and community need. While we value strong generalists, we're especially interested in clinicians who bring depth in one of our three growth areas outlined above. Having expertise in couples work, child therapy, or women's midlife issues will help you stand out—but it's not a dealbreaker if you don't.Bonus: If You Have Specialty Training In...Couples Therapy Training in Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), or other evidence-based couples modalities. Experience with communication patterns, infidelity recovery, premarital work, attachment wounds, and helping partners move from conflict to connection.​Child Therapy (Ages 5-12+) Experience using play therapy, art therapy, sand tray, or other developmentally-appropriate interventions. Comfort addressing anxiety, behavioral challenges, trauma, family transitions, and neurodivergence. Ability to collaborate effectively with parents and coordinate with schools.​Men's Issues (Ages 25-65) Understanding of andropause/testosterone decline mental health impacts, identity transitions, provider stress, grief and loss, body image concerns, and existential questions about meaning and purpose in midlife. Masculinity-informed, strengths-based approach preferred.​Again—these are areas where we'd love additional expertise, not requirements. Strong general practitioners who want to develop these skills over time are absolutely welcome to apply.​What Your Week Actually Looks LikeWe believe in being specific about expectations, so here's the realistic picture:Schedule:Up to Five day work week: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm (flexible within those parameters)Expected caseload: 16-25 client sessions per week for full-time; part-time pro-ratedYou control your own calendar and schedule time off as needed—just communicate ahead.Hybrid available after onboarding: mix of in-person and telehealth based on client needs.​Clinical Work:75% of your time is directly clinical—doing therapy and subsequent documentation.You have full clinical autonomy. We trust your judgment.Use the modalities and approaches that fit your training and your clients' needsTherapeutic intensives available for clients who want concentrated work (we already offer these)​Administrative Support:We do not currently have an admin, so you will be in charge of responding to direct client inquiries, client communication, scheduling, and other miscellaneous administrative tasks until that position is filled.You're responsible for clinical documentation—intake notes, treatment plans, progress notes, etc.We use TherapyNotes (EHR) and Spruce for client communication—if you haven't used them, we'll train youNotes due by end of day Friday (seriously, it's for your benefit)​Community & Collaboration:Weekly clinical consultation meetings—optional but encouragedOpportunity to lead workshops, groups, or community presentations if that's your thing (not required)​Compensation & Benefits:Full-time: $60,000–$100,000+ annually depending on experience and caseload2-4 weeks off annually (including Christmas Eve–New Year's Day)We cover your professional liability insuranceAnnual CEU and conference stipendPaid parking space (since we're downtown)Office customization allowance—beautify your space, we're not a hospital!Health insurance stipend​What We're Looking ForRequired:Current, active North Dakota license as LPC, LPCC, or LCSWMaster's degree in counseling, social work, or related mental health fieldMinimum 2 years post-licensure experience (exceptions for strong recent grads with relevant training)Demonstrated competence working with adults and/or children across common presenting concerns (anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues, life transitions)Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skillsExcellent communication—written and verbalAbility to work independently while contributing to a small teamCommitment to ongoing learning and clinical excellencePreferred:Specialized certifications or advanced training:Couples: Gottman trained, EFT certified, PREPARE/ENRICH facilitatorChildren: Play therapy certification (RPT/RPT-S), trauma-focused work (TF-CBT, PCIT, CPP)Men: Training in infertility/reproductive matters, men's health psychology, midlife specializationTrauma-informed training (EMDR, CPT, Somatic approaches, or other impactful modalities)Experience with both in-person and telehealth delivery Familiarity with the Bismarck community and local resources Clinical Approaches We Value:We're not prescriptive about your theoretical orientation, but here are some frameworks that align well with our practice philosophy:Trauma-informed modalities (EMDR, CPT, ART, Somatic therapies)Existential and meaning-centered approachesAttachment-based workEmotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman Method (couples)Play therapy and expressive arts (children)ACT, DBT, CBT (when appropriate)Psychodynamic depth workChristian therapyWho Thrives HereYou're a good fit if:You're a strong general practitioner who can work effectively with diverse presenting concernsYou value clinical autonomy and trust your own judgmentYou're comfortable with a smaller practice feelYou want administrative burden lifted so you can focus on therapyYou prefer a direct, grounded approach over therapy jargonYou're self-directed but appreciate consultation when you need itYou care about work-life balance and sustainable practiceBonus: You bring specialty expertise in couples, children, or women's issues—or you're eager to develop those skillsYou're probably not a good fit if:You need a lot of structure and supervisionYou prefer high-volume, brief treatment modelsYou want extensive benefits packages (we're small—no health insurance yet)You only want to work with one very narrow population​What Happens NextIf this resonates, here's how to apply:Submit:Resume/CVCover letter addressing:Your clinical experience and populations you work best withIf you have experience in any of our three preferred specialty areas (couples, children 5-12, men's issues), tell us about your training and approachWhy Plainsman Therapy specifically interests youYour ideal schedule and availability (full-time or part-time)Copy of current North Dakota licenseTwo professional references (name, title, contact info)​Timeline:Applications reviewed on a rolling basisWe'll reach out for a phone screening if there's a potential fitIn-person interview and office tour for finalistsReferences checked before offerAnticipated start date: Flexible based on credentialing timeline​Questions?Learn more about us at https://www.plainsmantherapy.com/​Plainsman Therapy PLLC is an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to building a diverse clinical team and welcome applications from therapists of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Different perspectives make us better clinicians.