Job Description
Marriage and Family Therapist (BHIP) - EDRP Approved is listed by Veterans Health Administration. The Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) serves as a core member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Plan (BHIP) at VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System.
BHIP is a multi-disciplinary team providing finalize, accessible, Veteran-centered mental health care. The MFT arranges and provides specialty therapy with a focus on couples, families, people, and groups using systemic health theories.
This role needs expertise in interpersonal relationships and conceptualizations distinct from individually oriented therapies. Function in this role contains carrying out assessment interviews, developing treatment blueprints, and providing treatment to eligible Veterans.
Treatment modalities may involve crisis intervention, intake evaluations, outreach solutions, and empirically located treatment for families, couples, and people with mental health disorders. The MFT also supplies consultations to team participants and participates in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health personnel.
This role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), offering up to $200,000 in student loan repayment over one to five years. Perform schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with ad-hoc telework available. Multiple locations are on offer: Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Laredo, and McAllen, Texas.
Salary & Compensation
Pay / Settle Package: $61,409 - $99,835 per year.
Qualification
To qualify for GS-9 (entry level), you must meet core education conditions and display expertise of human development, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based practice. GS-11 (full performance) calls for one year of post-master's expertise or a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or comparable mental health field.
- U.S. Citizenship called for; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens can’t be recruited per VA policy.
- English language proficiency needed for frank patient care positions.
- Master's or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from a COAMFTE-accredited scheme, or a comparable mental health degree (e.g., Licensed Skilled Mental Health Counselor, Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, Psychiatry).
- For GS-9: Licensure may be waived for up to 3 years under clinical supervision of a licensed MFT. Failure to obtain licensure within 3 years effects in removal from the series.
- For GS-11: Full, existing, unrestricted MFT license to practice independently, or one year of post-master's know-how in marriage and family therapy.
- Health Profession Trainees (HPTs) pending completion of educational or licensure needs may be tentatively selected but can’t be hired until all conditions are met.
- Grandfathering provision puts in to present VHA employees who were in the occupation on the effective date of the qualification usual (4/18/2018).
- Selective Service Registration called for for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Subject to background/security investigation and completion of online onboarding process.
- Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination plan needed for all VA Health Care Personnel.
Role Responsibilities
- Give a packed variety of psycho-diagnostic offerings covering person, group, couples, and family psychotherapy.
- Carry out assessment meetings, build treatment plans, and provide treatment to eligible Veterans using evidence-based modalities.
- Apply systemic health theories and family systems theory to address interpersonal relationship problems.
- Provide crisis intervention, intake evaluations, and outreach solutions as needed.
- Refer clients to other programs and professionals when proper.
- Participate in conjoint emergency treatment with medical facility mental health personnel.
- Offer subject matter consultation to colleagues and students on psychosocial treatment in the specialty area.
- May serve as clinical supervisor for MFTs seeking licensure if holding AAMFT approved supervisor credential.
- May assist as representative on Psychology Solution, Mental Health Offering Line, or VISN committees as assigned.
How to Apply
- Unseal the USAJOBS announcement and with your USAJOBS/Login.gov account.
- Wrap up the federal submission questionnaire and attach your federal resume and required documents (e.g., transcripts, SF-50, license).
- Hand in your complete submission package by 11:59 PM (ET) on October 15, 2026.
- After submission, you’ll obtain a confirmation email. Review your submission status in USAJOBS under 'Applications'.
Additional Information
- EDRP: Up to $200,000 student loan repayment; put in within 4 months of appointment. Former EDRP participants ineligible.
- Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not approved. Permanent Adjust of Station (PCS): Not cleared.
- Trial period: 1 or 2 years; employment may be terminated if continued employment doesn’t advance public interest.
- Telework: Ad-hoc telework available. This isn’t a virtual role.
- Multiple locations: Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Laredo, McAllen, Texas. Salary varies by location.
- Contact VISN 17 SSU USAS Set at [email protected] for submission questions.
- For EDRP questions, contact [email protected].
About Company
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care to over 9 million Veterans each year. VHA runs through 18 regional networks (VISNs) and over 1,200 health care facilities nationwide.
The Texas Valley Coastal Bend VA Health Care System serves Veterans in South Texas with medical centers in Harlingen and Corpus Christi, and community-based outpatient clinics in Laredo, McAllen, and other locations.
This role is portion of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Scheme (BHIP), which provides team-based mental health care focused on Veteran-centered, accessible offerings. BHIP teams contain psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists operating collaboratively to address the complete spectrum of mental health demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common applicant questions about this position, eligibility and the application process.