Clinical Counselor Jobs in California

Clinical Counselor jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where demand for mental health services runs deep across community health centers, integrated care systems, and nonprofit behavioral health organizations. Employers with a sustained California presence include Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Telecare Corporation, all of which maintain large clinical counseling workforces statewide. Substance use disorder counseling, trauma-informed care, and school-based mental health are among the most consistently sought specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles14
Top employerUCLA Health
Top citySanta Cruz, CA
Cities hiring12
Work type60% Hybrid
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 14+ Clinical Counselor jobs

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
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Added 5d ago
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
University of the Pacific
Stockton, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$80k - $90k/yr
On-Site
Master's degree
501-1,000

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On-Call Crisis Counselor - Clinical Social Worker Per Diem
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Added 1w ago
On-Call Crisis Counselor - Clinical Social Worker Per Diem
UCLA Health
Santa Monica, California
Community & Nonprofit Services
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$56.66 - $73.11/hr
Master's degree in social work
5,001-10,000

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Clinical Counselor
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Added 2w ago
Clinical Counselor
California Correctional Health Care Services
Monterey County, CA
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$4,339 - $5,189/yr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
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Added 2w ago
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
LifeStance Health
Encinitas, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$118k - $135k/yr
Hybrid
5,001-10,000

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Lead Clinical Counselor - LCSW or LPCC
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Added 2w ago
Lead Clinical Counselor - LCSW or LPCC
Partners4Wellness
Irvine, California
Healthcare Administration
Program Management
Project Management
$40 - $50/hr
Hybrid
Master's degree in social work

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Clinical Counselor Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Santa Cruz
2 jobs
Irvine
1 job
Anaheim
1 job
Coalinga
1 job
Stockton
1 job
Temecula
1 job
Encinitas
1 job
San Diego
1 job
San Marcos
1 job

Clinical Counselor Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

UCLA Health2 open roles
Aria Community Health Center2 open roles
ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical counselor jobs across California.

  • Active California LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or registered associate status under the BBS
  • Master's degree in counseling, clinical psychology, or a closely related field
  • Experience conducting individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical setting
  • Proficiency in writing treatment plans and maintaining documentation in electronic health records
  • Knowledge of California-mandated reporting laws and client confidentiality requirements
  • Bilingual Spanish-English fluency preferred in many Los Angeles and Central Valley positions

Clinical Counselor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical counselor in California?

California requires clinical counselors to earn a master's degree in a qualifying field and then apply for supervised experience registration through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Depending on your graduate program, you register as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, or Associate Clinical Social Worker. After completing the required supervised hours, you pass the licensing exam for your credential and apply for full licensure with the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Which companies hire clinical counselors in California?

California clinical counselor roles are posted by UCLA Health, Aria Community Health Center, and ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's size and its large network of community mental health centers, integrated hospital systems, and county behavioral health departments means the employer pool is especially broad compared to most states.

Which California cities have the most clinical counselor jobs?

Santa Cruz, Irvine, and Anaheim consistently post the highest volume of clinical counselor openings in California. Los Angeles anchors the list because of its sheer scale and its dense concentration of county-funded mental health programs, large hospital systems, and nonprofit behavioral health agencies, while San Francisco and San Diego contribute heavily through integrated health networks and university-affiliated treatment centers.

Are there remote clinical counselor jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most clinical roles, because telehealth has become widely accepted for outpatient counseling in California. About 80% of clinical counselor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the state's early adoption of telehealth policy. Individual and group therapy sessions are the functions most commonly delivered remotely, while assessments, crisis services, and school-based work generally remain on-site.

How can I get hired as a clinical counselor in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is registering as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor or equivalent associate-level credential with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, which allows you to work under supervision and accumulate the hours required for full licensure. County behavioral health departments across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Sacramento regularly hire associate-level clinicians for community mental health roles. Large systems like Kaiser Permanente and Telecare Corporation also onboard associates for structured supervised positions. Coming in from a case manager, mental health technician, or crisis counselor role is another well-worn route into clinical counselor tracks.

Where can I find and apply to clinical counselor jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical counselor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across community health, hospital systems, and behavioral health organizations. Find roles that fit your licensure level and specialty and apply directly.

See All 14 Clinical Counselor Jobs in California

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