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AMFM Healthcare
Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Primary Therapist I- Adolescent Residential Program *BONUS*

CounselorIncludes callIncludes weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$76k-$96k

The week · per this posting · Tuesday – Saturday

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 39m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Primary Therapist – Adolescent Residential Mental Health (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)

Compensation

  • Primary Therapist I - $76,000-$96,000 (Associate level therapists, DOE)
  • This position is eligible for a $3,000 bonus after 6 months of employment

Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday 10am-6pm

Mission Prep, part of AMFM Healthcare, is seeking a compassionate and experienced Primary Therapist to join our residential adolescent treatment program in southern California. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of adolescents facing mental health challenges, while contributing to the success of our growing program.

In this role, you will manage a caseload of 6-8 adolescent clients and their families, providing individualized therapy for those with a range of acute mental health diagnoses. The ideal candidate will be a skilled listener, comfortable working closely with clients to understand their needs, and dedicated to helping them reach their goals.

About Mission PREP

Mission Prep is an adolescent-focused treatment program within the AMFM Healthcare family. We aim to provide sustainable, positive change for adolescents and their families who are struggling with mental health issues.

We believe in treating the entire family system, allowing families to address their children’s challenges in a supportive and sustainable way. At Mission Prep, we are committed to preparing teens for life’s challenges and offering families the fresh start they need.

Our approach blends time-tested therapeutic methods with innovative interventions to create a lasting impact that continues well after discharge. From our board-certified psychiatrists to our beautifully designed, home-like environment, we ensure that every aspect of care promotes a sense of belonging and healing.

To learn more, visit our website: Mission Prep Healthcare

Position Overview

As a Primary Therapist, you will be responsible for providing high-quality, client-centered care through individual and group therapy, case management, and comprehensive treatment planning. You will play a key role in the healing process of adolescents and their families by delivering therapeutic interventions and ensuring that clients receive the support they need to reach their goals.

Key Responsibilities

  • - Caseload of approximately 6 clients
  • 23–25 direct client hours per week (2 individual + 1 family session per client)
  • 3–5 clinical groups per week
  • Comprehensive assessments, treatment planning, and safety plans within required timelines
  • Family contact within 48 hours of admission; weekly family communication
  • All clinical documentation completed within 24 hours of service delivery
  • Participation in weekly supervision, team meetings, and utilization review
  • On-call rotation for new admits and crisis response
  • Conduct clinical evaluations, biopsychosocial assessments, and client diagnoses, along with interpretive summaries.
  • Develop and implement person-centered treatment plans, case management strategies, and provide referrals as needed.
  • Offer therapeutic interventions, including crisis counseling, for individuals, groups, and families.
  • Facilitate individual psychotherapy sessions and group therapy as part of the treatment process.
  • Provide services in accordance with organizational policies and mental health/substance abuse standards.
  • Assess individual and family systems, identifying areas in need of continued support and resources.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date Electronic Health Records (EHR) documenting treatment progress.
  • Collaborate with the utilization review team to provide pre-certification and concurrent reviews for insurance authorization.
  • Attend staff meetings, training, and other activities to ensure the efficient functioning of clinical operations.
  • Adhere to organizational standards, ethical practices, legal requirements, and professional standards at all times.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Credentials

  • AMFT, ACSW, APCC (Fully licensed therapists also accepted).
  • Active/current registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Preferred Experience

  • Experience with EMDR and working with adolescents in a clinical setting.

Education

  • Master’s degree in a relevant field (e. g., Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy).

Technical Skills

  • Proficiency with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems.
  • Strong knowledge of HIPAA regulations and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

Interpersonal Skills

  • Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Work Schedule & Details

  • Location: In-person services at our residential facility.
  • Type: Full-time, exempt position. On-call duties may be assigned.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Anthem.
  • FSA/HSA Accounts.
  • Life/AD&D insurance through Anthem, 100% employer-paid.
  • 401(k) plan with employer match.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Self Care Day.
  • Educational Assistance Reimbursement Program.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Health and Wellness Membership benefits.

About AMFM Healthcare

Founded after the tragic loss of a beloved son to mental illness, A Mission for Michael (AMFM Healthcare) was established with the vision of preventing similar heartache for other families. Our mission is to provide exceptional residential mental health care that transforms lives and promotes lasting recovery.

AMFM Healthcare brings together a team of highly qualified and passionate professionals who are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for individuals with severe mental health conditions. We understand the profound impact mental illness can have on individuals and their families, and we are committed to offering support, healing, and hope.

What sets us apart is our commitment to evidence-based treatment and our relentless focus on optimizing outcomes for our residents. We continuously integrate the latest research into our care programs to ensure the highest quality of treatment.

At AMFM Healthcare, we foster a nurturing environment where individuals can find solace, healing, and a path to recovery. Our staff prioritizes compassionate, personalized care, understanding that each person’s journey with mental illness is unique.

Ready to make a difference? If you are passionate about improving the lives of adolescents and their families and want to be part of a compassionate, supportive team, apply now to join Mission Prep.

AMFM Healthcare is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex (including childbirth, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field and possess active registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an AMFT, ACSW, or APCC. Experience working with adolescents in a clinical setting and proficiency with Electronic Medical Records are preferred.

Qualifications

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

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Individual therapyEHR managementAdolescent mental healthHIPAA complianceCommunication skillsOrganizational skills

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 62% are remote, 20% have no call, 54% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$86k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $78k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Salary Distribution41 jobs · 29 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks36 jobs · 29 employers

401k / retirement match
86% this job
CME allowance
58%
Sign-on bonus
28% this job
Loan repayment
17%
PSLF eligible
8%

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.2this job 2.4
Better work-life than 10% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,964 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Rancho Palos Verdes

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.53M≈ 20.2× annual pay
Typical market rent
$4,505/mo≈ 71% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
33 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
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.

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

AMFM Healthcare logo

About AMFM Healthcare

Mental Health Care
San Juan Capistrano, California
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, Dental, and Vision plans through Anthem
FSA/HSA Accounts
Life/AD&D insurance (100% employer-paid)
401(k) plan with employer match
Paid Time Off (PTO) and Self Care Day
Educational Assistance Reimbursement Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Health and Wellness Membership benefits