Associate Therapist
Listed compensation
$32-$34/hr
The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Evolve Treatment Centers offers cutting-edge intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential programs for teens ages 12 to 17 struggling with substance use and mental health disorders.
We use evidence-based treatment modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), as well as several experiential therapies.
The Associate Therapist training program provides a unique opportunity for clinicians to gain experience working with teens facing acute mental health issues, as well as understanding residential and intensive outpatient settings.
The Associate Therapist will provide clinical support to the residential and outpatient programs by completing Biopsychosocial Assessments, acting as a Primary Therapist to clients as assigned, and providing Primary Therapist coverage as assigned.
Primary Therapist duties include, but are not limited to, running DBT Skills Training groups, providing individual and family therapy, and completing all clinical documentation within the required timelines. This individual should be eager to learn and comfortable with a fast-paced environment.
Clinical supervision will be provided, as well as several other training and shadowing opportunities.
Job Duties
Provide individual and family therapy to teens and their families
Conduct biopsychosocial assessments upon admission both with assistance from Primary Therapists and independently
Attend weekly clinical treatment teams and collaborate with clinicians to carry out individualized treatment plans
- Attend weekly Training Track supervisions with peers to learn and understand acute care services
- Participate in individual supervision when directly assigned cases
Provide case management support and coordinate with After-Care manager to ensure clients have appropriate discharge plans
Coach and collaborate with Residential Counselors to ensure effective behavioral interventions are carried-out with clients
- Participate in, and eventually lead, DBT skills groups
- Complete weekly treatment plan reviews, master treatment plans, other required clinical documentation
Requirements
- Master’s degree in clinical psychology, Counseling, or Social Work
- Active BBS associate number (AMFT/ACSW/APCC)
- 1-year minimum training commitment requested
- Must be willing to go to all our locations in Encinitas, La Mesa and Del Mar
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am - 5:30 pm. This is a full-time, onsite position.
Payrate: $32-34/hour
For information on Evolve's privacy practices, see the Evolve California Personnel Privacy Notice located at evolvetreatment.com
Key Responsibilities
The Associate Therapist provides individual and family therapy, conducts biopsychosocial assessments, and facilitates DBT skills groups for teens. They also collaborate with clinical teams to develop treatment plans and provide case management support.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Associate Therapist at Evolve Treatment Centers a 6.0 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 weekend requirements.
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% are remote, 46% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$69k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $62k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $67k–$71k | Mental Health Therapy median $78k (middle half $62k–$109k)56 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$62k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in California | 576 active | 7,561 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 52% remote · 46% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California 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 listings | 2,576 in the last 30 days | 1,373 the 30 days before (+88%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
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