Mental Health Jobs in California
Mental Health jobs in California represent one of the most active hiring markets in the country, concentrated across community mental health centers, county behavioral health departments, integrated health systems, and private group practices. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, and Sutter Health maintain deep and sustained demand for licensed clinicians. The most sought-after specialties include crisis intervention, substance use disorder treatment, and child and adolescent behavioral health. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Associate Mental Health Clinician (Pre-Licensed)
Compensation: Starting at $30 per hour; paid bi-weekly (Estimated annual earning potential of up to $80,000 w/ benefits)* $30-$50/hour for Master's Level Therapists
Employment Type: W-2 Part-Time Employee; Non-Exempt
Schedule: Build your own schedule - office hours include: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-8:00 PM; Saturdays 9:00 AM-1:00 PM | Requires at least one weekend day (option for both) and Friday in-office. 3rd day could be remote or in-office if working Fri/Sat/Sun.
Location: This is a hybrid role based out of Ventura, CA
Role Summary
The Associate Mental Health Clinician provides outpatient therapy services under clinical supervision while working toward full licensure. Success in this role includes delivering high-quality care, building a consistent caseload, and meeting all supervision and documentation requirements in accordance with state licensure regulations.
Associate Clinician Responsibilities
- Provide individual, family, and/or couples outpatient psychotherapy services under supervision using evidence-based modalities
- Maintain an active caseload of approximately 3-4 clients per day; minimum of 15 clients per week required
- Complete clinical documentation accurately and within required timelines
- Participate in required individual and/or group clinical supervision
- Follow ethical standards, licensing board rules, and organizational policies
Compensation & Benefits
- Compensation: Starting at $30 per hour; paid bi-weekly
-
$30-$50/hour for Master's Level Therapists
- Estimated annual earning potential of up to $80,000 w/ benefits
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 4%
- Paid supervision towards full licensure
- Case consultation with colleagues
- Malpractice insurance and all overhead expenses covered by the practice
- Billing, credentialing, scheduling, and intake support
- Flexible scheduling and telehealth options
Associate Clinician Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related field
- Active licensure (AMFT, ACSW, APCC) in the state of California (Active & Registered with BBS/BOP)
- Background in evidence-based practices (e.g., CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT); can include practicum or internship experience
- Ability to work under clinical supervision toward full licensure
- Basic proficiency with EHR systems and telehealth platforms
Associate Clinician Preferred Qualifications
- Prior practicum, internship, or clinical experience in outpatient settings
- Interest in specific populations (children, adolescents, trauma, couples, etc.)
About Positive Change:
Positive Change Counseling Center is a compassionate, client-centered mental health practice dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families create meaningful and lasting change. Our clinicians provide evidence-based therapy in a supportive and collaborative environment, tailoring care to meet each client’s unique goals and needs.
Since 2006, we’ve remained committed to supporting our therapists as much as our clients. Positive Change Counseling Center fosters a culture of teamwork, professional growth, and clinical integrity, allowing clinicians to focus on impactful therapeutic work without the administrative burdens of managing a private practice. We value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and clinical approaches, and strive to create an inclusive space where clinicians feel supported and empowered to do their best work.
Positive Change Counseling Center is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We believe diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthens our teams and enhances the care we provide to the communities we serve.
Positive Change Counseling Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Positive Change Counseling Center is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Accommodation requests may be submitted to careers@archealthpartners.com.
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Find Mental Health JobsMental Health Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mental Health Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Telecare Corporation96T
- LifeStance Health23

- Mental Health America of Los Angeles15M
- Kaiser Permanente11

- STARS Behavioral Health11S
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
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 Psychologist license issued by BBS or BOP
- Master's or doctoral degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related clinical field
- Experience providing individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical or community setting
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation standards
- Knowledge of evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, or trauma-informed care
- Ability to conduct intake assessments, treatment planning, and ongoing progress documentation
Mental Health Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mental health in California?
Becoming a licensed mental health clinician in California requires completing an accredited master's or doctoral degree in a clinical field such as social work, marriage and family therapy, or professional clinical counseling. After graduation, you accumulate supervised hours and pass the required exams administered by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or the California Board of Psychology, depending on your license type. The BBS oversees LCSW, MFT, and LPCC licensure, while the BOP governs psychology.
Which companies hire mental healths in California?
Companies currently hiring mental healths in California include Telecare Corporation, LifeStance Health, and Mental Health America of Los Angeles, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county behavioral health departments, and expanding telehealth providers make it one of the most employer-diverse markets for mental health clinicians in the country.
Which California cities have the most mental health jobs?
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oakland consistently post the highest concentration of mental health openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest share through its county behavioral health system, major academic medical centers, and dense private practice market, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from established health systems and proximity to major university-affiliated training programs that also generate direct hiring pipelines.
Are there remote mental health jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most clinical fields, because therapy and counseling services translate well to a telehealth format. About 43% of mental health openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of telehealth platforms serving the state. Positions most likely to be fully remote include individual outpatient therapy, employee assistance program counseling, and virtual crisis line work.
How can I get hired as a mental health in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an associate or registered intern position, which California allows under BBS registration as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC while you complete your supervised hours. Large California county behavioral health departments in Los Angeles County, the Bay Area, and San Diego regularly recruit newly graduated associates. Community mental health organizations and Federally Qualified Health Centers also hire interns and unlicensed associates in case manager or mental health worker roles, which serve as a direct pipeline into licensed clinician positions.
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 openings from employers across the state. Search for roles that match your license type, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 422+ Mental Health Jobs in California
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