Pre-Licensed Therapist (AMFT, APCC, ASW) - Youth Behavioral Health
Listed compensation
$74k-$79k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Job Details:
Job Location: Center For Positive Changes - SAN DIEGO, CA 92120, Salary Range: $74,000.00 - $79,000.00 Salary, Build Your Clinical Career While Making a Difference Center for Positive Changes (CFPC) is seeking a Pre-Licensed Therapist (AMFT, APCC, or ASW) to join our clinical team serving children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth in our Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs).
This is an opportunity to gain meaningful hands-on clinical experience while working under the supervision of licensed mental health professionals.
You'll provide Specialty Mental Health Services, participate in assessments and treatment planning, facilitate individual, family, and group services, support crisis intervention, and coordinate care with youth, families, residential staff, social workers, probation officers, and community providers.
If you're building your clinical career and want to develop your skills while making a meaningful difference in the lives of youth and families, we'd love to meet you.
What You'll Do
Clinical
Responsibilities
Under the direction and supervision of licensed clinical leadership, you'll: Provide Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) within your scope of practice Participate in initial and ongoing mental health assessments Assist with treatment planning, safety planning, and transition planning Facilitate individual, family, and group therapeutic services Provide psychoeducation and emotional/behavioral skill-building Help youth develop healthy coping, communication, and emotional regulation skills Provide care coordination with youth, families, schools, community providers, and other support systems Monitor symptoms, behaviors, strengths, needs, and progress toward treatment goals Make referrals and connect youth and families with appropriate community resources Participate in crisis intervention, risk assessment, de-escalation, and safety planning Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) and Treatment Team meetings Support permanency, transition, and discharge planning Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation Participate in clinical group supervision and ongoing professional development Qualifications: REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: A qualified candidate must be registered with the state of California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and meet requirements for one (1) or more of the following: 1.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) AND at least one (1) year of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program, preferably with children and adolescents. OR 2.
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) AND at least one (1) year of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program, preferably with children and adolescents. OR 3.
Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) AND at least one (1) years of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program, preferably with children and adolescents.
Key Responsibilities
The therapist will provide specialty mental health services, including individual, family, and group therapy within a residential setting. They are also responsible for conducting assessments, treatment planning, and coordinating care with families and community providers.
Requirements
Candidates must be registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an AMFT, APCC, or ASW. Additionally, at least one year of experience in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program is required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 38% 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 ~$77k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $69k 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 | $74k–$79k | Mental Health Therapy median $87k (middle half $79k–$116k)35 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$69k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in California | 598 active | 7,810 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 40% remote · 38% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
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