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Sutter Health
Berkeley, California

Mental Health Therapist III

CounselorIncludes weekendsNo callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$59.87-$80.5/hr

Listing transparency4 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
No call
Weekends
Includes weekends
Posted 48m ago · Verified live

Job Description

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization

ABSMC-Alta Bates Herrick Campus

Position Overview

The Mental-Health Therapist III position is responsible for conducting high-volume mental health and substance use assessments, reviewing psychiatric referrals, and presenting patients for admission to Herrick Hospital's inpatient psychiatric units, partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs as well as our substance use inpatient program. Provides psychosocial assessment, individual/family therapy, discharge and aftercare planning to patients and their families in an outpatient setting. Delivers services and treatments based on recovery-oriented services, family systems, and evidenced based treatments. Provides consultation and training on psychosocial aspects of human behavior and complex environments. Serves as the primary contact for involving and educating patients, families, and significant others in the process of treatment and mental health recovery. Acts as a liaison to community programs and develop strategic partnerships to enhance aftercare plans of patients and their families. This job is performed in both inpatient and outpatient as well as in an individual or a group setting.

Job Description

  • EDUCATION:
  • Master's: social work, counseling, or related field.

Certification & Licensure

  • LMFT-Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
  • OR LPCC-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
  • OR LCSW-Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Typical Experience

2 years of recent relevant experience.

Skills and Knowledge

Knowledge of various principles, procedures, views, and equipment used in the treatment of patients with varying disorders.

Ability to interpret a variety of data and instructions, furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Demonstrates working knowledge of available specialized treatment centers including mental health and substance abuse services and facilities.

Possess written and verbal communications skills to explain sensitive information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences, including non-medical people.

Well-developed time management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize assignments and work within standardized operating procedures and scientific methods to achieve objectives and meet deadline.

General knowledge of computer applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Outlook), electronic health records (EHR).

Prioritize assignments and work within standardized policies, procedures, and scientific methods to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.

Work independently, as well as be part of the team, including accomplishing multiple tasks in an environment with interruptions.

Identify, evaluate and resolve standard problems by selecting appropriate solutions from established options.

Ensure the privacy of each patient’s protected health information (PHI).

Build collaborates relationships with peers and other healthcare providers to achieve departmental and corporate objectives.

Make timely referrals for specialized evaluations, programs, and services.

Job Shift

Varied

Schedule

Full Time

Shift Hours

8

Days of the Week

Variable

Weekend Requirements

Sunday

Benefits

Yes

Unions

Yes

Position Status

Non-Exempt

Weekly Hours

40

Employee Status

  • Regular
  • Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
  • Pay Range is $59.87 to $80.50 / hour

The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct mental health and substance use assessments, review psychiatric referrals, and present patients for admission to inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and substance use treatment programs. Provide psychosocial assessment, therapy, discharge and aftercare planning, patient and family education, consultation, and coordination with community programs in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Requirements

Requires a master's degree in social work, counseling, or a related field, plus an active LMFT, LPCC, or LCSW license. Typically requires two years of recent relevant experience and knowledge of mental health and substance use treatment services, communication, organization, and electronic health records.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Mental Health AssessmentSubstance Use AssessmentPsychiatric Referral ReviewIndividual TherapyDischarge PlanningEvidence-Based TreatmentsCommunity Partnerships

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Mental Health Therapist III at Sutter Health a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 35% of all Mental Health Therapy counselor listings evaluated on our platform. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 32% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 6.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$146k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $132k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

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Salary Distribution32 jobs · 25 employers

10
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$95k-115k
6
$115k-135k
5
$135k-155k
1
$170k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs · 25 employers

401k / retirement match
96%
CME allowance
44%
Loan repayment
19%
Sign-on bonus
15%
PSLF eligible
15%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Therapist

Tuolumne Me Wuk Indian Health Center · Tuolumne City, California

$113k-$170k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

$123k-$141k
#4

Outpatient Therapist (Licensed Psychologist or LICSW)

$125k-$140k
+ 30 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.1/ 10
Listing-based score
  • No call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Berkeley

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1,543k
Typical market rent
$2,818/mo
Residents’ average commute
28 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Sutter Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Sacramento, California
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Union Position