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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Overview

Open roles440+
Top employerTelecare Corporation
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring154
Work type60% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 440+ Mental Health jobs

Assistant Director of Nursing - Mental Health 346
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New 2h ago
Assistant Director of Nursing - Mental Health 346
Telecare Corporation
Fontana, California
Business Development
Customer Service
Customer Success
$114k.14 - $141k.67/yr
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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Mental Health Therapist
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New 8h ago
Mental Health Therapist
Embark Behavioral Health
San Martin, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$90k - $115k/yr
On-Site
1,001-5,000

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Behavioral Medicine Specialist Licensed Masters Mental Health Professional Peds
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New 11h ago
Behavioral Medicine Specialist Licensed Masters Mental Health Professional Peds
Kaiser Permanente
Campbell, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$57.77 - $64.52/hr
Master's degree in social work
10,000+

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Behavioral Medicine Specialist Licensed Masters Mental Health Professional Adult and Family Medicine
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New 11h ago
Behavioral Medicine Specialist Licensed Masters Mental Health Professional Adult and Family Medicine
Kaiser Permanente
Santa Clara, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$57.77 - $64.52/hr
Master's degree in social work
10,000+

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Mental Health LVN / LPT
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New 15h ago
Mental Health LVN / LPT
STARS Behavioral Health Group
City of Industry, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$28 - $30/hr
Associate's degree
1,001-5,000

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Mental Health Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Bakersfield
23 jobs
San Leandro
13 jobs
Santa Cruz
10 jobs

Mental Health Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Telecare Corporation130
  • Kaiser Permanente19
  • STARS Behavioral Health17
  • Mental Health America of Los Angeles12
  • LifeStance Health11

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, Kaiser Permanente, and STARS Behavioral Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 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?

San Diego, Bakersfield, 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 40% of mental health openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 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 440+ Mental Health Jobs in California

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

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