Child Therapist Jobs in California
Child Therapist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand from school districts, community mental health centers, and pediatric outpatient clinics serving roles from associate-level trainees through licensed clinical supervisors. The largest concentrations of hiring are in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where organizations like Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai, and the Los Angeles Unified School District maintain consistent child therapist rosters. The most sought-after specialties in California are trauma-focused CBT, autism spectrum disorder intervention, and school-based mental health services. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 30+ Child Therapist jobs
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly healthy society where mental and physical healthcare are unified to make lives better. Our mission is to help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives by improving access to trusted, affordable, and personalized mental healthcare. Everywhere. Every day. It’s a lofty goal; we know. But we make it happen with the best team in behavioral health.
Thank you for taking the time to explore a career with us. As the fastest growing behavioral health practice group in the country, now is the perfect time to join our clinical team!
We are actively looking to hire talented therapists in the area, who are passionate about patient care and committed to clinical excellence.
Is this you?
- Wanting to deliver high quality behavioral healthcare.
- Seeking work life balance.
- Interested in growing professionally.
What we offer Therapists:
- Compensation range of $117k and $134k, compensation model based on productivity.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Telemedicine and in-person flexibility.
- Full benefits package: health, dental, vision, life, 401k (with match), paid parental leave, EAP and more.
- Cash incentive bonus plan.
- Collegial work environment.
- Newly designed and modern offices.
- Full administrative support.
- Latest in digital technology.
- Strong work/life balance.
Licensed Therapists are a critical part of our clinical team. We’re seeking Licensed Therapists that are:
- Fully licensed and credentialed in California LPCC / LCSW / LMFT.
- Experienced in working with adult, and/or child and adolescent populations.
For additional information about this opportunity contact Jackie.Kalpin@lifestance.com.
About LifeStance Health
LifeStance is a national provider of mental healthcare services focused on evidenced-based, medically driven treatment services for children, adolescents and adults suffering from a variety of mental health issues in an outpatient care setting, both in-person at its clinics nationwide and through its digital health telemedicine offering. The company employs psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists throughout the US.
LifeStance Health is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our employees.
Our values:
Belonging: We cultivate a space where everyone can show up as their authentic self.
Empathy: We seek out diverse perspectives and listen to learn without judgment.
Courage: We are all accountable for doing the right thing - even when it's hard - because we know it's worth it.
One Team: We realize our full potential when we work together towards our shared purpose.
If you elect to interact with us via our website, please only use www.lifestance.com or www.careers.lifestance.com. Additionally, our recruiters utilize email addresses with the @lifestance.com domain. Other websites and domains are not affiliated with LifeStance Health and may represent threats to your data security.
LifeStance Health complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources Team at ADA@lifestance.com or by calling +1-800-308-0994.
Please note: This contact is intended solely for accommodation requests. Inquiries regarding applications, resumes and applicant status should not be sent to this email address as they will not be reviewed or responded to. To apply for a position, please use our official careers page.
At LifeStance Health, we believe in a truly healthy society where mental and physical healthcare are unified to make lives better. Our mission is to help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives by improving access to trusted, affordable, and personalized mental healthcare. Everywhere. Every day. It’s a lofty goal; we know. But we make it happen with the best team in behavioral health.
Thank you for taking the time to explore a career with us. As the fastest growing behavioral health practice group in the country, now is the perfect time to join our clinical team!
We are actively looking to hire talented therapists in the area, who are passionate about patient care and committed to clinical excellence.
Is this you?
- Wanting to deliver high quality behavioral healthcare.
- Seeking work life balance.
- Interested in growing professionally.
What we offer Therapists:
- Compensation range of $117k and $134k, compensation model based on productivity.
- Flexible work schedules.
- Telemedicine and in-person flexibility.
- Full benefits package: health, dental, vision, life, 401k (with match), paid parental leave, EAP and more.
- Cash incentive bonus plan.
- Collegial work environment.
- Newly designed and modern offices.
- Full administrative support.
- Latest in digital technology.
- Strong work/life balance.
Licensed Therapists are a critical part of our clinical team. We’re seeking Licensed Therapists that are:
- Fully licensed and credentialed in California LPCC / LCSW / LMFT.
- Experienced in working with adult, and/or child and adolescent populations.
For additional information about this opportunity contact Jackie.Kalpin@lifestance.com.
About LifeStance Health
LifeStance is a national provider of mental healthcare services focused on evidenced-based, medically driven treatment services for children, adolescents and adults suffering from a variety of mental health issues in an outpatient care setting, both in-person at its clinics nationwide and through its digital health telemedicine offering. The company employs psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists throughout the US.
LifeStance Health is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our employees.
Our values:
Belonging: We cultivate a space where everyone can show up as their authentic self.
Empathy: We seek out diverse perspectives and listen to learn without judgment.
Courage: We are all accountable for doing the right thing - even when it's hard - because we know it's worth it.
One Team: We realize our full potential when we work together towards our shared purpose.
If you elect to interact with us via our website, please only use www.lifestance.com or www.careers.lifestance.com. Additionally, our recruiters utilize email addresses with the @lifestance.com domain. Other websites and domains are not affiliated with LifeStance Health and may represent threats to your data security.
LifeStance Health complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources Team at ADA@lifestance.com or by calling +1-800-308-0994.
Please note: This contact is intended solely for accommodation requests. Inquiries regarding applications, resumes and applicant status should not be sent to this email address as they will not be reviewed or responded to. To apply for a position, please use our official careers page.
See All 30 Child Therapist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Child Therapist JobsChild Therapist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Child Therapist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Rady Children's Hospital17
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health10
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles1
- LifeStance Health1
- Valley Children's Healthcare1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services30
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in child therapist jobs across California.
- Active California LPCC, LCSW, or MFT license issued by the BBS required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology
- Experience delivering evidence-based modalities such as TF-CBT or play therapy
- Familiarity with Medi-Cal documentation, billing codes, and compliance requirements
- Ability to collaborate with school staff, parents, and interdisciplinary treatment teams
- Bilingual fluency in Spanish preferred for many California community and school settings
Child Therapist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a child therapist in California?
You become a child therapist in California by earning a master's degree in counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, then registering with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate LCSW, AMFT, or APCC while accumulating supervised hours. After completing your hours, you pass the California Clinical Examination to earn full licensure as an LCSW, MFT, or LPCC, which is required to practice independently in the state.
How much do child therapists make in California?
Child therapists in California earn a median of about $67,300 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,350 for the lowest 10% to over $130,340 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire child therapists in California?
Employers hiring child therapists in California right now include Rady Children's Hospital, Stanford Medicine Children's Health, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county behavioral health departments, and charter school networks are also consistent sources of child therapist openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most child therapist jobs?
San Diego, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto have the most child therapist openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest share of demand given its scale of community mental health infrastructure and school district size, while San Diego's military family population and the Bay Area's dense network of pediatric clinics and tech-employer EAP contracts sustain strong hiring in those metros as well.
Are there remote child therapist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many clinical roles, because telehealth has become a widely accepted delivery model for child therapy in California. About 0% of child therapist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the state's early adoption of telehealth policy. Diagnostic intake, follow-up counseling sessions, and parent consultations are the parts of the role most commonly delivered remotely.
How can I get hired as a child therapist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is registering as an Associate MFT, APCC, or Associate LCSW with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and applying to county behavioral health departments or large nonprofits such as Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services or Uplift Family Services, which regularly hire associates into supervised trainee roles. School district internship programs and Head Start agencies are another California-specific entry point that counts toward licensure hours and often converts to full employment.
Where can I find and apply to child therapist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to child therapist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your license level and specialization, and apply directly to the employers that interest you.
See All 30 Child Therapist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Child Therapist Jobs