Career guide
Remote mental health and wellbeing careers
Telehealth has made remote therapy common, and mental health nonprofits and tech companies now hire for many roles that can be done from home. This guide covers the main career tracks, the credentials each one needs, and organisations that hire remotely.
Career tracks in mental health
Mental health careers span clinical practice, nonprofit work and technology. Wider use of telehealth since the pandemic has opened remote options at most levels.
- Clinical therapy — Licensed therapists providing individual, couples or group therapy via telehealth. Requires LCSW, LPC, LMFT or doctoral credentials.
- Nonprofit mental health — Programme managers, outreach coordinators and peer support specialists at mental health nonprofits and community health centres.
- Mental health tech — Product managers, engineers and designers building apps for meditation, therapy matching and digital therapeutics.
- Corporate wellness — Employee wellness programme managers, EAP coordinators and mental health benefits specialists at large employers.
Key skills and credentials
Clinical vs. non-clinical. Clinical roles require state licensure and supervised hours (2,000–4,000 depending on the credential). Non-clinical roles value lived experience, programme management skills and comfort discussing mental health.
- Clinical licensure — LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PsyD or PhD. Multi-state licensure through PSYPACT (psychology) or counselling compacts widens remote options.
- Peer support certification — Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credentials for roles supporting people with lived mental health experience.
- Health coaching — NBC-HWC or similar certifications for wellness coaching roles that don't require clinical licensure.
- Programme management — Grant management, outcomes measurement and community partnership skills for nonprofit leadership roles.
Employers hiring remotely
Lyra Health
Enterprise mental health platform that employers offer as a staff benefit. Hires remote therapists (W-2), clinical directors, and product and engineering staff.
Focus: clinical. Location: fully remote. Pay: $90K–150K for therapists.
BetterHelp (Teladoc)
Large telehealth therapy platform with flexible scheduling on a contractor model. A common entry point for newly licensed clinicians building a caseload.
Contract: 1099 contractor, flexible hours. Pay: $30–40 per session.
Headspace
Meditation app combined with coaching and clinical services. Hires coaches, therapists, psychiatrists and tech staff.
Focus: app and clinical care, tech roles. Location: remote-first.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Grassroots mental health organisation in the US. Hires for advocacy, peer support programmes, education and state affiliate coordination.
Focus: nonprofit advocacy, peer support.
Also hiring: Modern Health, Spring Health, Talkspace, Alma, Two Chairs, Cerebral and Brightside.
Frequently asked questions
Can therapists work fully remote?
Yes. Since the pandemic, most states allow licensed therapists to provide telehealth services. Platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace and Lyra Health hire remote therapists nationwide. You must be licensed in the state(s) where your clients reside. PSYPACT lets psychologists practise across participating states with one license.
What credentials do I need for mental health jobs?
Clinical roles require licensure (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PsyD or PhD). Non-clinical roles like programme management, peer support or mental health tech require relevant experience but not necessarily clinical credentials. Health coaching and wellness roles often need only certification (NBC-HWC, ACE, NASM).
What's the salary range for remote mental health jobs?
Remote therapists earn $50,000–$90,000 at platforms (W-2), or $80–150 per hour in private practice. Mental health programme managers earn $65,000–$100,000 at nonprofits. Mental health tech roles (product, engineering) range from $90,000–$180,000 at funded startups like Lyra, Modern Health and Spring Health.