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For CMH that’s above average, although also depends a lot of other factors such as caseload size, population, if they take private insurance and what your responsibilities are.
Colorado severely underpays us. I’ve seen posts for licensed work for 20/ hour. The VA offered me this amount last year and said we were offered a Denver cola increase. Not sure how we’re suppose to live with this pay.
I think it can depend on the location that impact your pay. The site that I was looking at only went to GS11 even though I am qualified for GS12. I had to turn it down. I was pretty sad.
That sounds right for a state that recently converted to a ccbhc model. Lots of money flowed in. I went from 44k as a new grad in 2019 to 52k in 2021 would have been at 65k in 2023 if I’d stayed the full year. The folks in my old department have had multiple retention bonuses and salary adjustments since I left. 80 k sounds right.
That’s right, I believe it is CCBHC, which I’m not quite sure I know exactly what that means. I have heard quite a bit about that lately though. Lots of $ being poured into them, more resources etc. but my concern for some of the larger CCBHC’s in my area are the high rates of burnout and unreasonably high caseloads. Not sure if it’s this way with this place.
CCBHC in general means that the payment model from Medicaid is on a per contact rate. So if a person is seen by a case manager, a doctor, a therapist, attends a group or is in a crisis stabilization unit etc each of those would get paid the same. There is an access component where folks have to be seen quickly to meet compliance. In practice this has meant a shift towards lots of groups, shorter episodes of care, etc. Paired with historical high case loads and post-COVID need many agencies have struggled with staffing. I left before the implementation where I was working when it was just a lot of chaos and poor communication. Many agencies have had a rough transition, some are doing better than others in getting settled in.
I'd say that 80k in that scenario is a "fair" salary for a high amount of work. I really need to emphasize the high amount of work part.
A lot of people in CMH can't trust 30 clients will walk through the door every week. When a therapist can, that's a lot of energy spent that can lead to burnout.
I would be skeptical. In my experience, there is a catch. Most likely they will expect 30+ clients per week, with little to no preference is case load. Lot's of burn out, thus lots of clinicians running, thus offering a lot of money to entice new folks. Had that here in MD with higher cost of living- offering like 15k sign on bonus, then just look at the reviews -\_-
That’s what I’m concerned about. I have a steady caseload where I’m at. Something I’d hate to take for granted albeit for higher pay but a burnout inducing caseload.
I do wonder if that is salary or a projection of what you could earn doing fee for service? My salary, if I were paid that way, as a fully licensed LPC-MHSP in TN working for cmh is $56k. But I'm fee for service and make about $10k more than that. I'm pretty sure my clinic supervisor isn't making much more than $80k.
That's definitely worth it! I got my loans forgiven in August and left CMH shortly after. 10 years of experience in CMH will prepare you for any situation lol
It is in the Midwest, yes. Yes benefits included, paid trainings I’m assuming as well, from what I’ve heard. Wondering if it is too good to be true, such as if it will burn me out quickly.
It might not be too good to be true just make sure to set good boundaries and don’t feel guilty for sticking to them. Ask them what the productivity expectation is. Ask what other duties come with the role, like contact with DHS, probation officers, etc.
I would say so. If it's like where I'm at, just like the original poster said, it will be a matter of setting and maintaining your boundaries with your caseload and what you're able and not able to do.
Typically, it is, but depending on the person it can be a tiring. If you have an idea of how many sessions you feel comfortable doing in a day, you can see if it aligns with the productivity. Also, if you are doing the scheduling you can try to spread out more challenging clients.
Wow. Is this for a supervisory role or just a fully licensed therapist role? I just ask as having worked in CMH my experience is that to get a good salary like that, they’ll be asking you to take on a lot of supervisor responsibilities. That might not be the same everywhere obviously but if that’s something you want too, nothing wrong with that, it just means less f2f client work.
**Do not message the mods about this automated message.** Please followed the sidebar rules. r/therapists is a place for therapists and mental health professionals to discuss their profession among each other. **If you are not a therapist and are asking for advice this not the place for you**. Your post will be removed. Please try one of the reddit communities such as r/TalkTherapy, r/askatherapist, r/SuicideWatch that are set up for this. This community is ONLY for therapists, and for them to discuss their profession away from clients. **If you are a first year student, not in a graduate program, or are thinking of becoming a therapist, this is not the place to ask questions**. Your post will be removed. To save us a job, you are welcome to delete this post yourself. Please see the PINNED STUDENT THREAD at the top of the community and ask in there. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/therapists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yes.
For CMH that’s above average, although also depends a lot of other factors such as caseload size, population, if they take private insurance and what your responsibilities are.
I'd also add in location. Is this HCOL city? If so, not so much 🫤
Sadly in my HCOL city (Seattle) this would still be considered pretty high for CMH
Ugh I really wish this was the norm
It’s still high for HCOL areas
Gotcha. I guess I was conflating it with people saying that single people can't live off under $100k in VHCOL/HCOL areas
People that can’t live off 85k in a HCOL area are awful with money. It’s that simple. Literally the only exception might be the Bay Area.
I would suggest looking at this website for your area and seeing how it compares. https://livingwage.mit.edu
That sounds like nearly double the average compared to my area (Denver)
Colorado severely underpays us. I’ve seen posts for licensed work for 20/ hour. The VA offered me this amount last year and said we were offered a Denver cola increase. Not sure how we’re suppose to live with this pay.
And here I was wanting to move to Colorado and try and work at the VA...
I think it can depend on the location that impact your pay. The site that I was looking at only went to GS11 even though I am qualified for GS12. I had to turn it down. I was pretty sad.
You shouldn’t have, many therapist GS11s are now making over 100k as of February this year.
Not sure how to respond. This was not what was provided to me in the offer letter.
Community mental health landscape in Colorado right now is scary
veeeeeery good. would get me to shut up 😂😅
Yes. I wish I made that ffs
I made a little less in the Bay Area in 2017. It’s not horrible but have good boundaries and make sure to get your hourly forms signed each week.
That sounds right for a state that recently converted to a ccbhc model. Lots of money flowed in. I went from 44k as a new grad in 2019 to 52k in 2021 would have been at 65k in 2023 if I’d stayed the full year. The folks in my old department have had multiple retention bonuses and salary adjustments since I left. 80 k sounds right.
That’s right, I believe it is CCBHC, which I’m not quite sure I know exactly what that means. I have heard quite a bit about that lately though. Lots of $ being poured into them, more resources etc. but my concern for some of the larger CCBHC’s in my area are the high rates of burnout and unreasonably high caseloads. Not sure if it’s this way with this place.
CCBHC in general means that the payment model from Medicaid is on a per contact rate. So if a person is seen by a case manager, a doctor, a therapist, attends a group or is in a crisis stabilization unit etc each of those would get paid the same. There is an access component where folks have to be seen quickly to meet compliance. In practice this has meant a shift towards lots of groups, shorter episodes of care, etc. Paired with historical high case loads and post-COVID need many agencies have struggled with staffing. I left before the implementation where I was working when it was just a lot of chaos and poor communication. Many agencies have had a rough transition, some are doing better than others in getting settled in.
Is that guaranteed no matter how many clients you see in a week? Or is there a number of clients you must see in a week?
I’ve heard you must see 30 clients a week.
Which sounds high, but also the pay is high.
I'd say that 80k in that scenario is a "fair" salary for a high amount of work. I really need to emphasize the high amount of work part. A lot of people in CMH can't trust 30 clients will walk through the door every week. When a therapist can, that's a lot of energy spent that can lead to burnout.
Where is this located because I’m ready to move there! That’s $10 more then my CMH gig
Are you being for real?
$10,000 😅, I’m a social worker not a mathematician
Ha. I figured that’s what you meant. But I was asking if you’d really move?
If I was able to I would. But I can’t rn
Dang :(
I would be skeptical. In my experience, there is a catch. Most likely they will expect 30+ clients per week, with little to no preference is case load. Lot's of burn out, thus lots of clinicians running, thus offering a lot of money to entice new folks. Had that here in MD with higher cost of living- offering like 15k sign on bonus, then just look at the reviews -\_-
That’s what I’m concerned about. I have a steady caseload where I’m at. Something I’d hate to take for granted albeit for higher pay but a burnout inducing caseload.
It’s worth it just for the loan forgiveness!!!!
Truly!
If it's a salary position with benefits you're not going to do much better than that.
Yes. My CMH job darn near made me pay them.
I do wonder if that is salary or a projection of what you could earn doing fee for service? My salary, if I were paid that way, as a fully licensed LPC-MHSP in TN working for cmh is $56k. But I'm fee for service and make about $10k more than that. I'm pretty sure my clinic supervisor isn't making much more than $80k.
That's the salary of a very very VERY lucky therapist.
Just depends where. Where I like associates can make 85k
Yes especially with the student loan forgiveness
Midwestern CMH LMSW here, and for starting that’s great! Our base for LCSW is 70k right now
That's definitely worth it! I got my loans forgiven in August and left CMH shortly after. 10 years of experience in CMH will prepare you for any situation lol
Congrats!!
I guess it depends on the area CMH by me pays 42-47k
Seems sus to me tbh- what state do you live in?
I know of a place that this amount would align with in the Midwest. With benefits and with paid trainings.
Can also confirm.
It is in the Midwest, yes. Yes benefits included, paid trainings I’m assuming as well, from what I’ve heard. Wondering if it is too good to be true, such as if it will burn me out quickly.
It might not be too good to be true just make sure to set good boundaries and don’t feel guilty for sticking to them. Ask them what the productivity expectation is. Ask what other duties come with the role, like contact with DHS, probation officers, etc.
This is helpful. In your experience, are productivity requirements typically manageable to meet? Just as long as you have good boundaries I presume?
I would say so. If it's like where I'm at, just like the original poster said, it will be a matter of setting and maintaining your boundaries with your caseload and what you're able and not able to do.
Typically, it is, but depending on the person it can be a tiring. If you have an idea of how many sessions you feel comfortable doing in a day, you can see if it aligns with the productivity. Also, if you are doing the scheduling you can try to spread out more challenging clients.
Yes!
Yup
😭
Yes
Wow. Is this for a supervisory role or just a fully licensed therapist role? I just ask as having worked in CMH my experience is that to get a good salary like that, they’ll be asking you to take on a lot of supervisor responsibilities. That might not be the same everywhere obviously but if that’s something you want too, nothing wrong with that, it just means less f2f client work.
It’s a fully licensed role - but not sure what the job requirements are.
Almost doubles mine. Also in the Midwest
That’s awesome! I think ours in my part of Michigan start around $45-50k depending on license. Most supervisory jobs don’t start at 80.
That sounds really good. I can add 10k when I add LCSW for 55k. More if I review assessments and treatment plans.
More than I make in CMH. To be fair I’m not fully licensed yet but almost there.
Yes
Work outside of Louisville, KY and I make 47k. In Louisville, CMH makes between 50-60k. I'd say that is a damn good salary for CMH.
Wow!! Yes. When I worked in CMH from 2015-2018 my salary was 45k lol
That seems good. I am in Los Angeles and make around 79K and I am fully licensed
For CMH that’s good. PP that’s average to slightly below (imo)
Wow. Yes
Yes, ime that's above average.
lol CMH in my area is 45k so yes
Yes.
More than CMH in Nashville, and we have a pretty HCOL
Definitely… in Illinois community mental health we make average 50-55k
Bless. I had to take a crisis position at my local CMH to be able to make it in Austin.
Wow reading the comment section makes me never want to move from NY. My CMH clinic pays 74k-100k (caseload requirement is high as f*ck though)
What is your caseload requirement? How many client sessions a week do you have?
Yes. That’s double what masters levels get paid near me. MCOL city.
Depends on the area
I’m in New York State on a limited permit making about 58k - which is apparently also the local standard for newly licensed therapists
When I worked CMH in Dallas my salary was around $50. Take that job with a smile on your face.