Couples Therapist (1099 Independent Contractor)

Charlotte, NC | Telehealth or Hybrid | Wishart Counseling & Coaching

Position Summary

Wishart Counseling & Coaching is seeking a licensed clinician with a strong interest in couples work to join our practice as a 1099 independent contractor.

The role is built for a clinician who wants the independence of private practice without carrying the administrative side of it. Referral generation, billing support, marketing, and clinical infrastructure are handled by the practice, so that your time goes toward the clinical work itself.

Our clients are primarily high-performing professionals and couples across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and the majority of our work is private pay. We hire deliberately and are looking for a lasting fit rather than a quick placement.

About the Practice

Wishart Counseling & Coaching is a private group practice in Charlotte serving clients across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Our clinicians work with adults and couples on relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and substance use.

We have chosen to remain a small practice. Clinicians here set their own pace, retain full control of their clinical approach, and are not held to productivity targets. Case consultation is available when it is useful and is never required.

We take the quality of the clinical work seriously, and we look for colleagues who do the same.

Responsibilities

Provide individual, couples, and family therapy within your scope of practice, with an emphasis on couples work
Conduct intake assessments and develop treatment plans grounded in evidence-based practice
Complete clinical documentation, including progress notes and treatment plans, within 48 hours of service using practice-provided templates
Record client payments in the electronic health record within 24 hours of each session
Maintain case files in compliance with HIPAA and applicable confidentiality standards
Coordinate with outside providers and refer to community resources where clinically indicated
Practice in accordance with the ethical and legal standards of your licensing board

Qualifications

Required

Master's or doctoral degree in counseling, marriage and family therapy, social work, psychology, or a related mental health field
Active, unrestricted North Carolina licensure as an LCMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or Licensed Psychologist
Demonstrated clinical experience providing couples therapy
Current professional liability insurance
Reliable computer and phone suitable for telehealth
Capacity to manage a caseload independently and meet documentation deadlines

Preferred

Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy at the time of application
Level 2 or Level 3 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy or a comparable evidence-based couples framework
Working knowledge of family systems theory
Additional licensure in South Carolina or Tennessee

Associate-level candidates are considered only in exceptional cases and should note their supervision arrangement when applying.

Training Expectations

Our couples work is grounded in the Gottman Method, and contractors are expected to hold or obtain Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Level 1 Training at the time of application is preferred. Candidates who have not completed it should indicate their willingness to do so. Applicants who have not completed both levels should be prepared to provide their own timeline for completing them within twelve months of engagement.

Contractors select their own training providers, register directly with The Gottman Institute, and schedule the training around their own availability. Maintaining these credentials remains the contractor's responsibility.

Compensation

This is a fee-split independent contractor arrangement. Contractors are paid a percentage of collected session fees and are not compensated for administrative time.

Revenue split, fully licensed 65%

Revenue split, associate licensed 60%

Session fee range $120 to $210

Contractor share per session $72 to $136.50

Annualized earnings depend on caseload volume, session fee, and weeks worked. At 25 sessions per week across 48 working weeks, contractor earnings range from approximately $86,000 to $164,000. At 35 sessions per week, the range is approximately $121,000 to $229,000. These figures are illustrative and are not a guarantee of income.

What the Practice Provides

Referral flow generated through the practice's marketing, directory listings, and referral relationships
Insurance credentialing handled by the practice. Contractors are not expected to arrive already paneled.
Furnished Charlotte office space, optional
HIPAA-compliant electronic health record with integrated telehealth
Client intake forms, clinical templates, and billing support
Professional headshots and inclusion in practice marketing
Weekly case consultation, optional

What the Contractor Provides

Professional liability insurance
Computer and phone suitable for telehealth
State licensure and continuing education required to maintain independent practice

Independent Contractor Status

This position is an independent contractor engagement under IRS classification, not employment. The contractor retains control over their schedule, clinical approach, and work location, subject to applicable licensure law and the terms of the contractor agreement. The contractor is responsible for their own taxes, benefits, and business expenses.

How to Apply

Submit a resume in PDF format and a brief statement of interest to ryan@wishartcoaching.com. Please address your couples therapy experience and training directly in your statement.

We respond to all applicants within 48 hours. Qualified candidates proceed through a multi-step interview process that includes a clinical discussion and a conversation about practice fit.

Wishart Counseling & Coaching considers all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.