Associate Therapist
Listed compensation
$80k-$90k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Job Location: Orangevale - Orangevale, CA
- Position Type: Full Time
- Education Level: Masters Degree
- Salary Range: $80000.00 - $90000.00Salary/year
- Job Shift: Any
- Job Category: Clinical, Licensed Therapist or Associate Therapist Job Description: The Associate Therapist is responsible for treating, assessing, monitoring, and developing a comprehensive plan to meet the needs of clients while in treatment for chemical and alcohol abuse and dependency. The Associate Therapist is responsible for providing ongoing direct client care through weekly individual and group therapy, as well as responding to immediate clinical needs such as AMA prevention, crisis response, and milieu management. In addition, the Associate Therapist provides family therapy to clients who request this service and where clinically indicated. The Associate Therapist is a primary member and participant in weekly multidisciplinary treatment planning and works collaboratively with the certified SUD counselor to develop a comprehensive aftercare plan post-discharge. Documentation within the electronic healthcare record is required for all clinical interactions and relevant case management activities. The Associate Therapist may also provide ongoing clinical consultation and support for the certified SUD counselors. Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Performs professional mental health and substance use disorder services with clients in treatment for chemical and alcohol abuse and dependency. Provides individual, group, and family therapy services. Assesses and monitors client’s progress and behavior while in treatment. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment planning and aftercare planning. Participates in collaborative treatment with representatives of other agencies. Responds to clinical emergencies and acute client needs. Responds to client complaints in an efficient and timely manner. Records noteworthy events involving clinical services and client activities in the electronic medical record. Reviews client chart for completion of all paperwork with appropriate signatures; may complete weekly audits. Attends conferences, workshops, and training to maintain current awareness of mental health and SUD methodologies and issues. Maintains confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations. Operates a personal computer and other office equipment. Communicates effectively with others in person and over the telephone. May be assigned some lead and special work coordination responsibilities. Competencies: Principles, procedures, techniques, trends of clinical and casework services, therapy, and treatment. Social aspects and characteristics of mental and emotional disturbances and substance use disorders. Principles of mental health and substance use disorder education. A wide variety of therapeutic and treatment approaches for persons with mental and emotional problems. Scope, availability, and activities of community resources, including other mental health and social service agencies. Current trends in mental hygiene, mental health, public health, and social services, including State and Federal programs in these areas. Expert communication skills and counseling abilities Commitment to the philosophy of recovery, continuity of the program, and to affirming the dignity and respect of all clients. Work Environment: Office and Health care setting with clients and other employees present. Working indoors primarily and outdoors occasionally. Working in close proximity to others. May walk on slippery and uneven walking surfaces. Excessive continuous noise at times. Typical office and group counseling environment. Mostly indoor office environment with windows and lights. Physical Demands: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Attending conferences or training session
- Travel Required: Ability to travel to various office or facility locations
Affirmative Action/EEOC Statement: Sierra Health and Wellness is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
Required education and experience: Must obtain and maintain a registration number regulated by a state board (ASW, AMFT, APC) Must possess a master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, or counseling. Have at minimum one-year experience in Drug and Alcohol counseling.
Very familiar with HIPAA/client confidentiality and personal rights. Must possess a current CPR and First Aid certification. Must possess a valid Driver’s License Preferred education and experience: Two to three years of experience in drug and alcohol counseling BA or MA degree in related field. Associate Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Licensed Salary: $90,000 - $115,000 PM21
Key Responsibilities
Provide individual, group, and clinically indicated family therapy to clients receiving treatment for alcohol and substance use disorders, while assessing and monitoring their progress and responding to crises and other immediate clinical needs. Participate in multidisciplinary treatment and aftercare planning, document clinical services in the electronic health record, and collaborate with and support counselors and community agencies.
Requirements
Applicants must have a master's degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, or counseling; a state-board registration such as ASW, AMFT, or APC; and at least one year of drug and alcohol counseling experience. A current CPR and First Aid certification, valid driver's license, and familiarity with HIPAA, client confidentiality, and personal rights are also required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 30% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.8% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $80k–$90k | Mental Health Therapy median $89k (middle half $76k–$114k)39 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$77k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in California | 561 active | 7,533 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 50% remote · 30% 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 $2k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Mental Health Therapy listings | 2,473 in the last 30 days | 1,367 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 |
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