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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Overview

Open roles53+
Top employerHealthRIGHT 360
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring18
Work type100% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 53+ Behavioral Health Counselor jobs

ComPsych
Onsite EAP Counselor
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ComPsych
Added 2d ago
Onsite EAP Counselor
ComPsych
Palmdale, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$125k - $140k/yr
On-Site
Master's
1,001-5,000

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HealthRIGHT 360
SUD Counselor
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HealthRIGHT 360
Added 3d ago
SUD Counselor
HealthRIGHT 360
Orange, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$30 - $37/hr
On-Site
High School
201-500

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HealthRIGHT 360
SUD Counselor
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HealthRIGHT 360
Added 3d ago
SUD Counselor
HealthRIGHT 360
Pomona, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$25 - $35/hr
On-Site
High School
201-500

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ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES
Overnight Counselor
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ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES
Added 3d ago
Overnight Counselor
ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES
Santa Cruz, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
High School
201-500

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Mckinley Children's Center
Treatment Counselor
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Mckinley Children's Center
Added 4d ago
Treatment Counselor
Mckinley Children's Center
San Dimas, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$22 - $27/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 53 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in California

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Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
11 jobs
Santa Cruz
8 jobs
Pomona
5 jobs
Escondido
4 jobs
Oxnard
4 jobs
Watsonville
4 jobs
Sonoma
3 jobs
Davis
2 jobs
Oakland
2 jobs

Behavioral Health Counselor Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • HealthRIGHT 360
    HealthRIGHT 36015
  • ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES
    ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES12
  • California State University
    California State University3
  • JWCH Institute
    JWCH Institute3
  • Sonoma State University
    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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