certified peer specialist

mental health technician

counselor

front desk receptionist

care coordinator

Three Rivers Therapy

This place and its management teams seem nice on the surface but only if you don't ask questions and do as you're told. The management team claim they are a "family" and take care of their own, they don't in the ways that matter. Company also states they are "inclusive" and understating of those who are neurodivergent, this is the case as long as you mask and don't make others feel uncomfortable, otherwise you are labeled as the problem. Extremely underpaid for the work you do as one of their "Agency Affiliated Counselors" (AAC). Major issues with AACs having autonomy over their schedule. Some issues with taking PTO time, even after it was approved. Slow accrual of sick/PTO time (Max of 6 days a year). No training or education to improve your skills nor do they compensate you/give raises for obtaining outside certifications/licenses. Raises are based on a 5-point scale and its difficult to get anything above a 3 because of their matrix. Employees are not informed of this matrix but only of the scale used. If you do get a raise, its often less than $1.

Company expects you to use your own personal cellphones for all telehealth appointments with no reimbursement. There were no options to do video calls at the time of my employment nor were there any phone lines connected, or planned to be connected, to the offices. We were told that this is what we needed to do as there was no other options.

Will accept any client even if that client needs a higher level of acuity, such as a licensed mental health provider, to provide them with actual psychotherapies. When asked, "supervisors" would say "if you don't feel comfortable you don't need to take them on," knowing they would be reassigned to another AAC. "Supervisors" have the same level of credentialing as any new hire or recent college graduate. The only "licensed" healthcare professional is Rikki Cook, the owner. She does no direct oversight for any of the AACs operating under her "license." AAC's are able to diagnose just so insurances can be billed. I was told it didn't really matter if my diagnoses was correct, just that I was able to "justify" any diagnoses I thought "fit". This meant parroting from the DSM. 

This place has nothing more than glorified life coaches that the company is parading as "counselors" so they can bill insurances. Go somewhere else to work, or to receive care, it may seem like a good place to get your feet wet if this is the career you are pursuing, but it comes at a cost to your own mental health if you are good at maintaining boundaries and advocating for yourself. Find a place that will pay you what your worth and treat you with respect and dignity for the sake of doing what's right, not what's "right for the company."

Working at 3 Rivers Therapy has been a fulfilling experience, both professionally and personally. From day one, I felt welcomed by a supportive and collaborative team that genuinely cares about making a difference in people’s lives.  

A typical day at 3 Rivers Therapy is dynamic and engaging. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, whether working directly with clients, collaborating with colleagues, or engaging in professional development. The environment is structured yet flexible, allowing employees to thrive while providing the best care possible.  

I’ve gained invaluable experience in therapeutic techniques, client-centered care, and interdisciplinary collaboration throughout my time here. The company invests in continuous learning, offering training and support to help employees grow as clinicians and individuals.  

The leadership at 3 Rivers Therapy is exceptional. Management is approachable, communicative, and genuinely invested in employees’ well-being and professional development. They encourage open dialogue, provide constructive feedback, and ensure every team member feels valued and supported.  

The workplace culture is one of the best aspects of working here. It’s a positive, team-oriented environment where everyone is encouraged to share ideas and support one another. There’s a strong sense of camaraderie, and the focus on work-life balance makes it a place where employees feel challenged and cared for.  

Like any role in therapy and mental health, navigating the emotional weight of working with clients through difficult situations is the most challenging part. However, the support from colleagues and supervisors makes it manageable, and the rewarding moments far outweigh the tough ones.  

The most rewarding part of working at 3 Rivers Therapy is witnessing clients progress and achieve their goals. Knowing that my work has a meaningful impact on individuals and families is incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, the team culture and the supportive atmosphere make coming to work every day something I genuinely look forward to.  

Overall, I highly recommend 3 Rivers Therapy as an employer. It’s a place where employees are valued, supported, and given opportunities to grow while making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

This place and its management teams seem nice on the surface but only if you don't ask questions and do as you're told. The management team claim they are a "family" and take care of their own, they don't in the ways that matter. Company also states they are "inclusive" and understating of those who are neurodivergent, this is the case as long as you mask and don't make others feel uncomfortable, otherwise you are labeled as the problem. Extremely underpaid for the work you do as one of their "Agency Affiliated Counselors" (AAC). Major issues with AACs having autonomy over their schedule. Some issues with taking PTO time, even after it was approved. Slow accrual of sick/PTO time (Max of 6 days a year).  No training or education to improve your skills nor do they compensate you/give raises for obtaining outside certifications/licenses. Raises are based on a 5-point scale and its difficult to get anything above a 3 because of their matrix. Employees are not informed of this matrix but only of the scale used. If you do get a raise, its often less than $1.

Will accept any client even if that client needs a higher level of acuity, such as a licensed mental health provider, to provide them with actual psychotherapies. AAC's are able to diagnose just so insurances can be billed. This place has nothing more than glorified life coaches that the company is parading as "counselors" so they can bill insurances. Go somewhere else to work, it may seem like a good place to get your feet wet if this is the career you are pursuing, but it comes at a cost to your own mental health if you are good at maintaining boundaries and advocating for yourself. 

When I began working at 3RT, the environment was welcoming and healthy(ier). Before leaving Three Rivers (1.5 years later), management was "doing too much" in the sense that they were doing EVERYTHING and ANYTHING to bring in money (even unethically) but absolutely nothing to support their employees. The employees at 3RT work too hard and too high above their credentials for too little pay and acknowledgment. The co-workers you bond with at work are your only source of support on the job. "HR" is a higher-up (a boss), so if you have an issue with management... tough. The managers (excluding one at times) do not care to listen to feedback, ideas, or concerns of the employees, even if it would transform the agency into a better and more successful place. If you want to hear about a new policy change every week that makes the agency more money and your life much more difficult/stressful, this is the perfect place to work. However, if you are one to speak up and question things when they don't seem quite right, you're labeled a "bad apple" and treated like one from there on out. I tried to leave on the best of terms, but the higher-ups did not allow that to happen. I was pushed out early on unfair terms, and I worry about how this is still affecting my clients to this day. The work environment the managers have created is so unhealthy and "high school"; they lose so many great employees because of this, and they don't even care. I love every employee I was able to work with during my time at 3RT, but the managers/higher-ups are running the place into the ground and taking everyone who works there with them. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The impact that the WISE program can have on families in need of support. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The leadership team. I was hired during a transitional time in the company but learned very quickly that this leadership team is looking for obedience, not ingenuity, new perspective, or accountability. When serious concerns were shared, they were met with pushback due to the finacial impact, or effort required to provide a safer environment for staff and clients. I felt this company put profits ahead of everything, including client care. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It's taken me some time to process my experience at 3RT, so in short, toxic is best adjective. Leadership is comprised of ego driven individuals who prefer subservience over progress. I challenged poor procedures and policies and was terminated. Concerns I had for staff and clients were dismissed. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Depends on who you're spending the day with. If you're working with families, it's great! If you're in the office, you'll hear all the drama, sometimes from leadership who doesn't shy away from trash talking their own team; who's doing what wrong or who's underperforming. Much of my time was spent trying to support staff who were underprepared for their role and overly saddled with case loads that could exceed 20 clients. Staff is most often under high stress and most certainly under compensated. In addition, ever changing policies and poor communication were a hot topic during one on one sessions with family support staff.

Pros:
Working at Three Rivers Therapy has been a meaningful and purpose-driven experience. The work allows you to support clients in tangible ways, and it feels rewarding to see progress and positive outcomes, especially when helping individuals navigate housing, employment, and stability. The role offers a good amount of autonomy and flexibility in day-to-day tasks, and it has helped me grow professionally by strengthening my case management, communication, and problem-solving skills. The work environment is generally supportive, and the mission of the organization aligns well with serving the community.

Cons:
The workload can be heavy at times, and managing multiple clients with complex needs can be emotionally demanding. Limited resources and system barriers can make progress slower than desired, which can be frustrating. Pay and benefits may not always reflect the level of responsibility and emotional labor required, and occasional communication or organizational challenges can add stress to the role.

Overall:
I’ve found a solid level of enjoyment working at Three Rivers Therapy. While the job comes with challenges, the meaningful nature of the work makes it worthwhile. This position is best suited for someone who is compassionate, self-motivated, and able to handle a fast-paced environment with clients who have significant needs. For those looking for purpose-driven work and hands-on experience in human services, it can be a rewarding place to work. 

I think this agency started out with good intentions on being a key provider of mental health services in Benton and Franklin counties, WA. The workers, for the most part, absolutely adore working with the clients, it's why we got into helping professions in the first place. 3RT (as they like to abbreviate) take this love of working with the people, who need it the most, and burn you out as the employee with a very heavy client load. The turnover rate is well above average due to the burnout, and to the management and owner's mishandling of any issue they seem to perceive as a threat. Ironic isn't it? That a mental health agency chooses to erroneously terminate employees rather than having actual, genuine communication that can resolve the matters. They are dishonest. Which is completely unprofessional. It is their own private  business which they gloat about is not under any other entity in WA state. Well, they are still regulated by the DOH, L&I, and the WA state healthcare authority. They are not what they like to portray to the community they are providing disservice to now. It is their choice that they are turning this business into a high profit maker while focusing less and less on top quality mental health services. Money is what they are illustrating as their utmost concern. And though any business needs money to make it, there is no business without a passionate skilled workforce. Which is people. Go somewhere else. 



As a mental health professional, I had hoped for leadership that values and understands the complexities of the field. However, in my experience at Three Rivers Therapy, there have been significant challenges related to leadership, communication, and work-life balance.

The frequent changes in leadership over the past few years have led to high turnover among skilled providers. At the counselor level for WISe and Outpatient, expectations are demanding, especially considering the compensation. Work-life balance can be difficult to maintain, particularly for those on crisis or specialized teams.

While the organization promotes a mission centered on compassion and client care, I found that same level of support was not consistently extended to employees. Communication and transparency were areas of concern, as interactions often felt impersonal and administrative priorities seemed to take precedence over staff well-being.

The dedication of the counseling staff to their clients is commendable, and colleagues often support one another. However, improvements in leadership engagement, transparency, and employee support would greatly benefit the organization and its workforce.









A typical workday at Three Rivers Therapy can be described as challenging yet rewarding, with supportive leadership and a supportive team. Since mid-2025, Three Rivers Therapy has upped its game with new ideas from its new CEO. With the integration of new agency policies, workloads have been streamlined, which means a better overall experience for the client. Also, the implementation of new employee paid time-off policies has greatly impacted the overall morale of the agency in a positive way. The hardest part of the job is probably trying not to take your work home with you and letting work challenges affect your personal life. The most enjoyable part of the job is the culture and the supportive team that surrounds every employee at Three Rivers Therapy. Overall, Three Rivers Therapy is an agency on the rise with a focused and dedicated group of employees who strive daily to meet their challenges head-on in a fun, yet professional setting.

I worked at three rivers therapy for a period of time, and unfortunately, my experience was far from positive. The company did not foster a welcoming or inclusive environment, which made it difficult to feel engaged and supported. Policies seemed to change frequently without clear communication, leaving employees uncertain about expectations and goals.
In addition, performance expectations were often unrealistic and unattainable, which created unnecessary stress and pressure. Despite the high expectations, the compensation was not reflective of the workload or responsibilities, making it challenging to stay motivated.
Communication from the executive was consistently poor, with little transparency or support provided. On top of that, executive directors were not responsive to employee concerns or feedback, which further contributed to a negative work atmosphere.
Overall, I would not recommend this company to others unless there is a significant shift in leadership and company culture.


Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Certified peer specialist 1 salary reported	$20.55 per hour
Mental health technician 8 salaries reported	$33.27 per hour
Counselor 4 salaries reported	$37.44 per hour
Front desk receptionist 2 salaries reported	$21.00 per hour
Care coordinator 3 salaries reported	$25.92 per hour

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