Counselor Jobs in California
Counselor jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where demand runs from entry-level case manager roles to licensed clinical supervisors and school counselor positions. Employers with a lasting presence across the state include Kaiser Permanente, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Sutter Health, all of which hire steadily across mental health, substance use, and school counseling specialties. California is one of the most active counseling markets in the country, driven by its large public school system, extensive Medi-Cal behavioral health network, and growing community mental health infrastructure. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Responsibilities:
- Provide individual and group counseling services; direct service hours at regularly scheduled intervals; coordinate all services throughout treatment
- Completes Bio-psychosocial assessment.
- Facilitates, establishes and reviews with each patient the initial treatment plan
- Develop aftercare plans and discharge plans
- Ensure efficient and effective delivery of counseling services to all patients
- Other related duties as determined by supervisor
- Certified Counselor in the State of California.
- Previous experience working with chemically dependent individuals a plus. Must demonstrate a positive, non-judgmental, and accepting attitude toward our patient population.
- Satisfactory drug screen and criminal background check.
The salary of the candidate(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, specialty and training.
- 401K match
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Accident Injury, Hospital Indemnity and Critical Illness Plans
- Company paid Short & Long Term Disability
- Company paid Basic Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Sick Time
- Employee Referral Program
What to expect from us:
BayMark Health Services is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) and to follow compliance guidelines with all Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, natural origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic disposition, disability or veteran’s status or any other classification protected by State/Federal laws.
Responsibilities:
- Provide individual and group counseling services; direct service hours at regularly scheduled intervals; coordinate all services throughout treatment
- Completes Bio-psychosocial assessment.
- Facilitates, establishes and reviews with each patient the initial treatment plan
- Develop aftercare plans and discharge plans
- Ensure efficient and effective delivery of counseling services to all patients
- Other related duties as determined by supervisor
- Certified Counselor in the State of California.
- Previous experience working with chemically dependent individuals a plus. Must demonstrate a positive, non-judgmental, and accepting attitude toward our patient population.
- Satisfactory drug screen and criminal background check.
The salary of the candidate(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, specialty and training.
- 401K match
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Accident Injury, Hospital Indemnity and Critical Illness Plans
- Company paid Short & Long Term Disability
- Company paid Basic Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Sick Time
- Employee Referral Program
What to expect from us:
BayMark Health Services is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) and to follow compliance guidelines with all Federal, State and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, natural origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic disposition, disability or veteran’s status or any other classification protected by State/Federal laws.
See All 326+ Counselor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Counselor JobsCounselor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Counselor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- STARS Behavioral Health14
- Telecare Corporation10
- BAART Programs8
- BayMark Health Services8
- HealthRIGHT 3605
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in counselor jobs across California.
- Active California licensure such as LCSW, MFT, LPCC, or PPSC credential required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related clinical field
- Experience providing individual, group, or family counseling in a clinical or school setting
- Familiarity with electronic health records systems such as Epic, Cerner, or Avatar
- Knowledge of California mandated reporting laws and HIPAA confidentiality requirements
- Bilingual proficiency in Spanish strongly preferred for many California community settings
Counselor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a counselor in California?
The path depends on the counseling specialty. For mental health counseling, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences licenses associate marriage and family therapists and licensed professional clinical counselors, both requiring a qualifying master's degree, supervised hours, and passing written and law-and-ethics exams. School counselors need a Pupil Personnel Services Credential issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Substance use counselors may pursue certification through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals.
Which companies hire counselors in California?
Employers hiring counselors in California right now include STARS Behavioral Health, Telecare Corporation, and BAART Programs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county behavioral health departments, and unified school districts generate the steadiest volume of counselor openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most counselor jobs?
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento have the most counselor openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco anchor the list because of their dense networks of community mental health centers, major hospital systems, and large public school districts, while San Diego's concentration of military-connected services and county behavioral health programs drives consistent demand there as well.
Are there remote counselor jobs in California?
Yes, but they're more limited than in fully desk-based fields, since much counseling work involves in-person clinical contact. About 25% of counselor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a real but selective shift toward telehealth. The roles most likely to be fully remote are those focused on telephonic crisis support, EAP counseling, or case management with lower clinical acuity.
How can I get hired as a counselor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a supervised associate registration. After completing a qualifying master's program, candidates register as an Associate MFT or Associate LPCC with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, then accumulate supervised hours in a paid or stipended role. County behavioral health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and community clinics throughout California regularly hire associates. Entry roles like case manager, behavioral health technician, or mental health specialist are common starting points that count toward licensure hours.
Where can I find and apply to counselor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to counselor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your specialty, licensure level, and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 326+ Counselor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Counselor Jobs