Choosing between the freedom of private practice and the stability of an agency is one of the most significant decisions you will make in your clinical career. Traditionally, this choice has forced therapists to compromise: sacrifice autonomy for health insurance and a steady paycheck, or sacrifice work-life balance to manage the heavy overhead and marketing of a solo business.

At Alternative Wellness Services (AWS), we believe you shouldn’t have to compromise. Building a thriving practice today is about having the freedom to work on your terms while accessing top-tier wellness technologies that enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of your therapeutic interventions. We have built a therapeutic environment that serves as a true game-changer in the mental health field.

We offer the complete, independent autonomy of a private practice, fully backed by the stability, resources, and cutting-edge somatic technologies of a forward-thinking clinic. You will not find this combination of clinical freedom and holistic, cellular-level healing infrastructure in any other office.

A Game Changer in Clinical Care: Integrating Tradition with Innovation

We aren't just changing how clinicians work; we are revolutionizing how clients heal. We believe that combining  traditional talk therapy with alternative, somatic modalities helps clients achieve faster, more sustainable results without having to depend solely on psychotropics.

At our new Biddeford Wellness Center, clinicians have the unique opportunity to seamlessly integrate advanced wellness technologies into their clients' care plans. 

Our 360-Degree Trifecta Pro Wellness Chamber (red light bed) offers a highly efficient 12-minute intervention. Mentally, these sessions improve mood, enhance sleep quality, sharpen cognitive function, and help reduce symptoms of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder. Physically, the red light promotes cellular repair, reduces systemic inflammation, and supports pain management, muscle recovery, and skin health.

For targeted neuro-support, clinicians can utilize the Alpha-Stim, which employs cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) to safely and effectively treat anxiety, insomnia, and depression, while simultaneously acting as a highly effective tool for acute, chronic, and post-traumatic pain management. We also offer BrainTap, a system that uses audio and light frequencies for brainwave entrainment. This technology gently guides clients into deep meditative states, empowering them to relieve stress, improve focus, and finally break deeply ingrained negative thought loops.

To build profound resilience, our Cold Plunges trigger a massive release of endorphins, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This dramatically boosts mood and reduces anxiety. For clients in early recovery for substance use disorders, this provides a uniquely safe and healthy way to replace the dopamine they are missing. Physically, the plunge drastically reduces systemic inflammation, accelerates muscle recovery, and improves circulation. Conversely, our Infrared Saunas provide a therapeutic heat experience that facilitates deep mental relaxation, lowers cortisol levels, and promotes restorative sleep. On a physical level, the saunas encourage cellular detoxification through deep sweating, improve cardiovascular health, and relieve joint stiffness.

The Best of Both Worlds: Our Fee-For-Service Model

As a Fee-For-Service clinician with AWS, you are the architect of your own career. Whether you want to dip your toes into private practice for a few hours a week to see if it aligns with your goals, or you are an experienced solo practitioner tired of isolation and administrative burnout, you are empowered to practice exactly how you want to work.

We provide a structure designed entirely for your success:

• Define Your Population: You have the freedom to choose the clinical demographics and client presentations you are most passionate about treating.
• Complete Schedule Autonomy: You have full control over your calendar, deciding exactly when your day starts and ends. With this freedom comes the shared responsibility of maintaining our high ethical standards for client care. While you are fully encouraged to adjust your schedule to fit your life (such as reducing hours over the summer), we simply ask that you proactively establish those expectations with your clients during intake to ensure smooth, ethical transitions and uninterrupted support.
• A Steady, Reliable Caseload: We provide a constant referral stream. You can focus 100% of your energy on clinical care without ever worrying about marketing yourself or sourcing clients. We also handle the administrative heavy lifting, including the intake process and all billing.
• Flexible Commitments: To help cover the real costs of business overhead and clinic infrastructure, our basic commitment is just 6 hours per week (if you do not require health insurance). If you choose to opt into our comprehensive health insurance plan, we require a 20-hour billable commitment per week.
• Dedicated Clinical Supervision: As a practice committed to your professional growth, we provide free access to both group and individual supervision. We require a minimum commitment of 1 hour per month, unless your specific licensure dictates more.
• Vibrant Community Connection: Private practice can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. When you join AWS, you become part of a connected, supportive community. We have space for groups, trainings and connection. We host three annual events for all staff to enjoy, connect, and grow together, actively mitigating the isolation of solo work.

Let’s Talk About Your Future

Both private practice and agency work offer unique advantages, and it is incredibly important to make the choice that best supports your lifestyle, well-being, and career goals.

We are truly passionate about our holistic approach and would love to share more about how it is elevating both client outcomes and clinician satisfaction. If you are ready to redefine your practice, please reach out to schedule a time to discuss your options. Whether you ultimately decide to pursue solo private practice or join an innovative team like ours, we are here to support you in navigating what makes the most sense for your journey.

• Licensure & Professional Standing:
  • A current Maine license as an LMSW-CC, LCPC-C, LCPC, or LCSW is required.
  • Must have no active complaints with your professional board or documented malpractice claims.
• Location & Work Environment:
  • Must be a current Maine Resident or have the ability to reliably commute to and from our offices weekly.
  • Ability to work primarily in our professionally furnished office, with some limited telehealth options available based on client needs.
• Expertise & Mindset:
  • Demonstrated expertise in recovery-oriented services, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and co-occurring disorders.
  • A commitment to professional growth; you must be open to feedback and embrace the philosophy that we are all forever learners.
• Collaboration & Culture:
  • A collaborative spirit and proven ability to build strong, positive relationships.
  • Willingness to work collaboratively with your team, attend team-building events, and all agency events to foster a strong community.
• Proficiency with EHR software and standard computer programs (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zoom).
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check.

Salary Description 

FFS rates are based upon CPT code