Mental Health Specialist Jobs in California

Mental Health Specialist jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where high demand for behavioral health services across community health centers, hospital systems, and integrated care settings drives consistent hiring at every experience level. Major employers with a long-standing presence in California include Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. The most in-demand specialties are crisis intervention, substance use disorder counseling, and trauma-informed care. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles61
Top employerTelecare Corporation
Top cityEureka, CA
Cities hiring40
Work type50% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 61+ Mental Health Specialist jobs

Children's Institute, Inc.
Per Diem Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS)
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Children's Institute, Inc.
Added 1d ago
Per Diem Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS)
Children's Institute, Inc.
Los Angeles, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$26.75 - $32.1/hr
Bachelor's degree in social work
501-1,000

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STARS Behavioral Health Group
Mental Health Quality Assurance Specialist
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STARS Behavioral Health Group
Added 1d ago
Mental Health Quality Assurance Specialist
STARS Behavioral Health Group
Sylmar, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$23 - $24.84/hr
Bachelor's degree in psychology
1,001-5,000

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Wellness Together
School-Based Mental Health Specialist II/III - Marysville, CA- Associate Level or Licensed
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Wellness Together
Added 1d ago
School-Based Mental Health Specialist II/III - Marysville, CA- Associate Level or Licensed
Wellness Together
Marysville, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$34 - $39/hr
Master's degree in social work
201-500

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Telecare Corporation
Peer Support Specialist - Mental Health 127
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Telecare Corporation
Added 1d ago
Peer Support Specialist - Mental Health 127
Telecare Corporation
Santa Maria, California
Community & Nonprofit Services
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Wellness Together
Mental Health Specialist II
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Wellness Together
Added 2d ago
Mental Health Specialist II
Wellness Together
Roseville, California
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Learning & Development
Teaching & Instruction
$30 - $35/hr
Master's degree in social work
201-500

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Mental Health Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Eureka
3 jobs
Riverside
3 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
Santa Cruz
3 jobs
Los Angeles
3 jobs
San Leandro
3 jobs
San Bernardino
3 jobs
Covina
2 jobs
Sylmar
2 jobs

Mental Health Specialist Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Telecare Corporation
    Telecare Corporation23
  • Wellness Together
    Wellness Together5
  • Remi Vista
    Remi Vista3
  • Aurora Charter Oak Hospital
    Aurora Charter Oak Hospital2
  • Redwood Community Services
    Redwood Community Services2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Active California licensure such as LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or registered associate status
  • Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related clinical field
  • Experience providing direct mental health services in a community or clinical setting
  • Proficiency in evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, or motivational interviewing
  • Ability to conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and maintain clinical documentation
  • Bilingual fluency in Spanish or another language spoken widely in the service population

Mental Health Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a mental health specialist in California?

Most mental health specialist roles in California require at minimum a master's degree in social work, counseling, or psychology, followed by supervised hours and licensure through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The BBS issues licenses including the LCSW, LMFT, and LPCC, each requiring completion of supervised experience hours and a written exam. Entry-level candidates can work as registered associates under a licensed supervisor while accumulating the hours needed for full licensure.

Which companies hire mental health specialists in California?

California mental health specialist roles are posted by Telecare Corporation, Wellness Together, and Remi Vista and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county behavioral health departments, and nonprofit community mental health centers represent the broadest and most consistent source of openings across the state.

Which California cities have the most mental health specialist jobs?

Eureka, Riverside, and San Diego have the most mental health specialist openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its scale and the reach of county-funded behavioral health programs, while San Francisco and San Diego draw demand from large integrated health systems, Veterans Affairs facilities, and a high concentration of community mental health organizations serving diverse urban populations.

Are there remote mental health specialist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most clinical fields, since telehealth expanded access to mental health services significantly. About 50% of mental health specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting ongoing demand for virtual counseling and care coordination. Fully remote roles tend to cluster in outpatient therapy, care management, and utilization review, while crisis response and in-person assessment positions remain on-site.

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

The most direct entry path is registering as an associate with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, which allows you to work under licensed supervision and accumulate hours toward full licensure. County departments such as the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health and San Diego County Behavioral Health Services regularly hire mental health workers and case aides for entry-level roles. Candidates with a completed master's degree, a BBS-issued associate registration, and experience in adjacent roles such as crisis hotline counseling, psychiatric technician work, or case management have the strongest chance of landing a first clinical position.

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

You can find and apply to mental health specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 61 Mental Health Specialist Jobs in California

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

Find Mental Health Specialist Jobs