Gardner Health Services logo
Gardner Health Services
San Jose, California

Mental Health Specialist or Therapist - Criminal Justice Program

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$70k-$113k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

Gardner Health Services is currently recruiting to fill three (3) Mental Health Specialist or Mental Health Therapist positions.

These are full-time, 40 hour/week positions in the Forensic, Diversion & Reintegration (formerly Criminal Justice) Program in the Adult/Older Adult Division of Gardner's Behavioral Health Department. The positions are based out of the Corporate Offices located at 160 E Virginia St, San Jose, CA 95112.

Under the general supervision of the Program Supervisor, this position provides assessments, group, and individual session related psycho-social services to justice system with involved clients in the CBT Probation Program. May need to provide counseling to the family at times or provide crisis management support..

In response to Assembly Bill (AB 109), signed by Governor Edmond G. Brown in 2011, services are provided to non-violent, non-serious, and non-sex offenders who served their sentence in county jails instead of state prisons.

These services are comprised of intensive treatment and support services with the purpose of enabling them to function successfully within their community.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis. Apply now!

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications of this position is listed below. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

MHS- BA degree and at least three (3) years of experience and/or AA degree plus five (5) years of relevant experience.

MHRS- BA degree plus four (4) years relevant experience and/or AA degree plus six (6) years’ experience and obtain a mental health rehabilitation specialist counselor certification from the County of Santa Clara.

MHT I - MHT- Master’s degree plus registered with the California Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) as MFTI or ASW and have obtained an effective Waiver of Licensure from the Santa Clara Dept. of Mental Health.

*If selected, other documents and certifications may be required as part of the hiring and credentialing process*

Compensation

Compensation and level of position placement will be determined based on relevant experience and education.

MHS/MHRS: $69,539.18 - $80,614.97/Annually

MHT I: $83,605.54 - $96,921.74/Annually

Please See Attached for the Full Job Description

Working at Gardner Health Services

Employees at Gardner Health Services define the meaning of community service. Gardner employees are passionate about helping people in the community of which they are a part. Staff members are deeply valued both by the community in which they serve, their fellow colleagues, and company administration.

A strong sense of teamwork, empathy, and dedication exists amongst Gardner staff that truly embodies what health care professionals should be. Gardner Health Services takes tremendous pride in seeing the growth and professional advancement of its employees.

Employees enjoy a healthy work/life balance and a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Additionally, job security is excellent and has led to longtime retention of Gardner personnel.

Whether you are new to the healthcare industry and looking to get exposure to a possible career in healthcare or a seasoned veteran who wants to make an impact in the community, Gardner Health Care has a position for you.

Gardner Health Services offers market competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package for eligible employees, including minimal out-of-pocket expenses for health, dental and vision insurance for an entire family. Also included is 401(K) profit sharing contributions, life insurance, an employee assistance program, annual education reimbursement, and a generous paid time off and holiday leave bank.

Who We Are

Gardner Health Services is a dynamic and progressive company dedicated to providing the best healthcare services with a community-oriented approach. Gardner’s mission is to provide high quality, comprehensive medical and mental healthcare, including prevention and education, early intervention, treatment and advocacy services which are affordable, respectful, culturally, linguistically and age appropriate.

Compromised of 10 various clinics with locations in the Bay Area of California stretching from Gilroy to Atherton and focused in the San Jose area, Gardner’s services are strategically located to ensure adequate coverage in the region and areas with the highest needs.

Gardner provides a full range of medical services including pediatrics, dental and vision care as well as a robust program dedicated to mental and behavioral health.

Gardner Health Services and its staff are deeply engrained in the community in which they serve and continually strive to go above and beyond to take care of the community and its members.

Gardner Health Services is an equal opportunity employer

Key Responsibilities

The Mental Health Specialist or Therapist provides assessments, group sessions, and individual psycho-social services to clients involved in the justice system. They also provide crisis management support and counseling to families as needed within the CBT Probation Program.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a degree ranging from an Associate to a Master's, depending on the specific role level, along with 3 to 6 years of relevant experience. Additionally, specific certifications or registrations with the California Board of Behavioral Science or the County of Santa Clara are required.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental health assessmentGroup therapyIndividual counselingCase managementForensic mental healthTreatment planningClinical documentation

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 28% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$70k–$113kMental Health Therapy median $87k (middle half $76k–$114k)39 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$82k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in California570 active7,579 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 48% remote · 28% no call · 70% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedCalifornia counselor listings (all specialties): 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Therapy listings2,476 in the last 30 days1,365 the 30 days before (+81%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Mental Health Therapy pay trend−1.8% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

38 jobs · 30 employers
7
<$85k
15
$85k-110k
11
$110k-135k
4
$135k-160k
1
$168k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

32 jobs · 30 employers
401k / retirement match
97% this job
CME allowance
44%
Sign-on bonus
38%
Loan repayment
19%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Inpatient Clinical Director (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC) - Mental Health 105

Telecare · Redwood City, California

$136k-$168k
#2

Dental Therapist

InterDent Service · Salem, Oregon

From $155k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

$123k-$141k
#4

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

$123k-$141k
+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,558 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Gardner Health Services logo

About Gardner Health Services

Hospitals and Health Care
San Jose, CA
201-500 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
401(K) Profit Sharing
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Annual Education Reimbursement
Paid Time Off

Living in San Jose

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.29M≈ 18.6× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,582/mo≈ 62% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
27 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
110.4
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.