Mental Health Jobs in California

Mental Health jobs in California are in high demand, with openings concentrated in community mental health centers, county behavioral health departments, integrated healthcare systems, and private group practices, and the field accommodates professionals from entry-level case managers through licensed clinical directors. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where established employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health maintain substantial workforces. The most in-demand specialties include crisis intervention, substance use disorder counseling, and child and adolescent behavioral health. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles936+
Top employerLifeStance Health
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring194
Work type84% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 936+ Mental Health jobs

LifeStance Health
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
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LifeStance Health
Added 2d ago
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
LifeStance Health
Burlingame, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
$117k - $134k/yr
On-Site
Other
5,001-10,000

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LifeStance Health
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
We won't show you this job again
LifeStance Health
Added 2d ago
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
LifeStance Health
Claremont, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
$117k - $134k/yr
Hybrid
Other
5,001-10,000

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LifeStance Health
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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LifeStance Health
Added 5d ago
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
LifeStance Health
Goleta, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$200k - $250k/yr
On-Site
None
5,001-10,000

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LifeStance Health
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
We won't show you this job again
LifeStance Health
Added 5d ago
Licensed Mental Health Therapist
LifeStance Health
Escondido, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$107k - $122k/yr
Hybrid
Other
5,001-10,000

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LifeStance Health
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
We won't show you this job again
LifeStance Health
Added 6d ago
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
LifeStance Health
Poway, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$200k - $250k/yr
Hybrid
None
5,001-10,000

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Mental Health Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
114 jobs
San Francisco
80 jobs
San Diego
35 jobs
Pomona
27 jobs
Sacramento
26 jobs
Bakersfield
20 jobs
Oakland
20 jobs
Santa Cruz
17 jobs
Fresno
15 jobs

Mental Health Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • LifeStance Health
    LifeStance Health135
  • HealthRIGHT 360
    HealthRIGHT 36077
  • Center For Autism and Related Disorders
    Center For Autism and Related Disorders60
  • The People Concern
    The People Concern41
  • Western Dental Services
    Western Dental Services39

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services643
  • Education108
  • Non-Profit & Social Services102
  • Insurance43
  • Technology & Software34

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in mental health jobs across California.

  • Active California licensure such as LCSW, MFT, LPCC, or licensed psychologist issued by the California BBS or Board of Psychology
  • Master's or doctoral degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related behavioral health field
  • Experience conducting clinical assessments, treatment planning, and individual or group therapy sessions
  • Knowledge of California mental health parity laws, Medi-Cal documentation standards, and HIPAA compliance
  • Proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Avatar, Welligent, or Epic
  • Bilingual ability in Spanish or another language reflecting the local client population is frequently preferred

Mental Health Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a mental health professional in California?

Becoming a licensed mental health professional in California requires completing a qualifying master's or doctoral degree and accumulating supervised clinical hours before applying for licensure through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or the California Board of Psychology, depending on your credential path. Common licenses include the Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Each license has its own supervised hours requirement and requires passing a California-approved clinical exam.

Which companies hire mental health professionals in California?

Employers hiring mental health professionals in California right now include LifeStance Health, HealthRIGHT 360, and Center For Autism and Related Disorders, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county behavioral health agencies, and Federally Qualified Health Centers are among the most consistent sources of full-time openings with benefits.

Which California cities have the most mental health jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most mental health job openings in California, driven by the concentration of county behavioral health departments, hospital systems, and community mental health organizations in and around those metros. Los Angeles in particular accounts for a significant share of statewide openings because of the scale of LA County's public mental health infrastructure and the density of private group practices serving a large and diverse population.

Are there remote mental health jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most clinical fields, because teletherapy and telehealth services have become widely accepted in California since statewide coverage mandates expanded. About 16% of mental health openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting ongoing demand for virtual outpatient services. Roles most likely to be fully remote include individual therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and care coordination, while crisis intervention and intensive outpatient programs typically require in-person attendance.

How can I get hired as a mental health professional in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for associate or trainee positions while completing your supervised hours toward California licensure, as the state's Board of Behavioral Sciences formally recognizes the associate registration status for aspiring LCSWs and MFTs. Large California county departments such as Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and San Diego County Behavioral Health Services regularly recruit registered associates and offer structured supervision. Lateral moves from case management, psychiatric technician, or residential counselor roles are common stepping stones, and completing a practicum or field placement at a Federally Qualified Health Center in California strengthens your application considerably.

Where can I find and apply to mental health jobs in California?

You can find and apply to mental health jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across counties, health systems, and private practices. Search the listings for roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 936+ Mental Health Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Mental Health Jobs