Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in California
Behavioral health counselor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in community mental health centers, county-operated behavioral health departments, Kaiser Permanente facilities, and large nonprofit providers such as Telecare Corporation and Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, with openings from entry-level associate counselors through licensed clinical supervisors. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where county behavioral health systems and integrated health networks maintain consistent demand. Substance use counseling, dual-diagnosis treatment, and crisis intervention are the most sought-after specializations across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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ABOUT COMPSYCH:
ComPsychⓇ is the worldwide leader in organizational mental health, well-being, and absence management, dedicated to igniting human potential in workplaces across the globe. For over 40 years, we have combined the best in technology with unmatched human expertise to help individuals and their organizations thrive. Our GuidanceResourcesⓇ and AbsenceResourcesⓇ solutions deliver end-to-end mental health, well-being, work-life, health navigation, and absence support to more than 75,000 customers worldwide, touching more than 160 million lives across 200 countries. Visit compsych.com to find out why 40% of the Fortune 500 choose ComPsych for their mental health and absence management needs.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Onsite EAP Counselor is responsible for providing behavioral health support for ComPsych’s EAP program with employees located in Palmdale, CA. This is accomplished through a combination of individual short-term counseling, leadership consultations, training and promotional activities.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides in-person or telehealth short-term counseling for employees
- Provides in-person and telephonic risk assessment for employees in crisis
- Provides critical incident debriefings, if indicated
- Addresses inquiries about program benefits, helping to connect employees with resources
- Participates in mental health promoting activities
- Provides training and lunch-and-learns on behavioral health issues
- Provides leadership consultations and support for behavioral health issues at the workplace
- Provides strategy support on program service delivery satisfaction
- Other duties as assigned
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in a mental health discipline or doctorate in psychology
- An independent clinical license to practice in California
- At least 5 years of post-graduate clinical experience
- Experience in work-related issues at employer’s worksite
- Experience with crisis management, substance use and psychiatric treatment
- Demonstrated experience consulting with management in organizations
- Ability to work a hybrid schedule: 32 hours/week onsite and 8 hours/week telehealth
- Sound clinical judgment applied to both clinical and organizational needs
- Analytical and critical thinking skills
- Active membership in professional organizations
- CEAP certification preferred
BENEFITS AND PERKS:
- Full benefits package, including Paid Time Off (PTO), medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, robust EAP, wellness program, and much more
- The salary range for this position is $125,000 - 140,000 USD. The base salary range represents the anticipated low end and high end of the range for this position. The actual compensation will be influenced by a wide range of factors including, but not limited to previous experience, education, pay market/geography, and scheduled hours.
EEO
ComPsych is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, age, genetics, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. ComPsych Corporation maintains a drug free workplace.
ComPsych Corporation and its affiliates is committed to the responsible and transparent handling of your personal data. Information collected during the recruitment process will be used to assess your application and, where applicable, to prepare and administer an offer of employment. Your personal data will be processed in accordance with the privacy laws applicable in your country or jurisdiction of residence, which may include the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation, and other applicable national or local privacy laws. For full details on what personal data we collect, how we use it, your rights as an Applicant, and how to contact us with privacy-related questions, please review the relevant Applicant Data Privacy Notices: US Applicant Data Privacy Notice & Canada Data Privacy Notice.
See All 53 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in California
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Find JobsBehavioral Health Counselor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Counselor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- HealthRIGHT 36015

- ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES12

- California State University3

- JWCH Institute3

- Sonoma State University3

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services34
- Non-Profit & Social Services13
- Education11
- Consulting & Professional Services1
- Government & Public Sector1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health counselor jobs across California.
- Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an AMFT, ACSW, or APCC
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or related clinical field
- Experience providing individual and group therapy in community mental health or outpatient settings
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices including CBT, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care
- Ability to complete documentation in electronic health record systems such as Avatar or Exym
- Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation for community or home-based caseloads
Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health counselor in California?
You must earn a master's degree in a qualifying field and register with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an associate, which allows you to accrue supervised hours toward full licensure as an LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC. Each license track requires a set number of supervised clinical hours and passing the California Law and Ethics exam along with a clinical exam. Most California employers hire registered associates and provide supervision on the job.
Which companies hire behavioral health counselors in California?
Employers hiring behavioral health counselors in California right now include HealthRIGHT 360, ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES, and California State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's extensive county behavioral health system, anchored by departments in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Clara counties, also generates a large share of consistent openings statewide.
Which California cities have the most behavioral health counselor jobs?
Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and Pomona have the most behavioral health counselor openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its scale and the size of the county's Department of Mental Health, while San Diego's military population and large nonprofit sector drive steady demand, and the Bay Area's concentration of integrated health systems and tech-adjacent employee assistance programs supports consistent hiring.
Are there remote behavioral health counselor jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most clinical fields, because telehealth became widely adopted in California following regulatory changes that expanded insurance reimbursement for virtual therapy sessions. About 0% of behavioral health counselor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how broadly providers have built out virtual care programs. Outpatient individual therapy and case management roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid schedules.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health counselor in California with little or no experience?
Registering as an associate with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences right after graduation is the most realistic first step, because nearly all California county behavioral health departments and large nonprofits hire registered associates and provide the required supervision. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Telecare Corporation, and county departments in Los Angeles and San Diego regularly bring on new associates. Starting in a case manager or mental health rehabilitation specialist role is also a common lateral entry point that builds clinical hours while earning income.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your license level, specialization, and preferred region, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 53 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in California
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