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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Internal: Internal applicants will be considered within the first five (5) business days of the posting period.
External: External applicants will be considered on the sixth (6) business day of the posting period.
Pacific offers full-time employees a unique opportunity to live on our beautiful campus at below-market rental rates—helping you save time and money on your commute.
- Provide brief individual, couples, and group counseling to diverse college and graduate student populations.
- Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments, biopsychosocial evaluations, risk assessments, and diagnostic evaluations.
- Develop and implement treatment plans utilizing evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
- Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with professional, legal, ethical, and institutional standards.
- Provide referrals to community providers, psychiatric services, higher levels of care, and campus resources as appropriate.
- Deliver services through in-person and telehealth modalities.
- Provides preventative outreach/programming and trainings, and represents CAPS at campus events such as orientation, trainings, critical incident debriefing, and workshops on an as needed basis.
- Consults with faculty and staff within the University regarding student concerns and needs.
- Participates in university-wide committees.
- Participates in staff, multidisciplinary team, and Student Life Divisional meetings.
- Attends professional development opportunities and maintains licensure status with the appropriate California board.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.
- Master’s degree in Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling, Counseling, or closely related field from an accredited institution.
- Current California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license in good standing.
- Minimum of two (2) years prior experience with adolescents or adults.
- Experience providing crisis intervention.
- Knowledge of college student development and mental health concerns affecting young adults.
- Demonstrated commitment to multicultural counseling and inclusive practices.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities.
- Experience working in a college counseling center of university setting.
- Three (3) or more years of post-licensure clinical experience
- Experience with outreach programs
- Experience with Point N Click electronic medical records.
- Ability to teach in an informal workshop setting.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated through the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments within the university.
- Bilingual/Multilingual.
- Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
This is an in-person role, and the successful candidate must be willing to relocate within California, preferably within 25 miles of the Stockton Pacific campus.
Frequent sitting and verbal communication with occasional walking and standing. Infrequent bending, stooping, kneeling, or reaching above shoulders. May be expected to lift up to 25 lbs. Use of computers, phones, and other technology.
AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.
See All 14 Clinical Counselor Jobs in California
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Find Clinical Counselor JobsClinical Counselor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Counselor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
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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
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Counselor Jobs