Primary Therapist - AMFT/ASW
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.
Job Description
Adolescent Growth Inc
Position Overview
The Primary Therapist plays a key role in providing trauma-informed, evidence-based therapeutic care to adolescents within our residential treatment program. This position works closely with a multidisciplinary team to support clients through emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges while helping guide them toward stabilization, growth, and long-term healing.
- What You’ll Do
- Clinical Care & Therapeutic Support
- Provide individual, group, and family therapy to adolescent residents
- Support adolescents experiencing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders
- Develop, implement, and maintain individualized treatment plans
- Complete progress notes, treatment updates, discharge summaries, and clinical documentation in compliance with licensing and program standards
- Conduct crisis intervention and participate in clinical decision-making as needed
- Maintain therapeutic boundaries and create a safe, supportive environment for clients
Team Collaboration & Care Coordination
- Collaborate with psychiatrists, medical staff, behavioral staff, case managers, and outside providers
- Participate in treatment team meetings, case consultations, and clinical discussions
- Engage families as active participants in the treatment process
- Coordinate care and communicate treatment progress with appropriate parties
- Compliance & Professional Standards
- Maintain compliance with California licensing regulations, ethical standards, and company policies
- Ensure timely, accurate, and professional clinical documentation
- Support a trauma-informed, structured, and therapeutic residential environment
- Participate in ongoing supervision, trainings, and professional development opportunities
Who You Are
You are compassionate, emotionally intelligent, and passionate about supporting adolescents through critical moments in their lives. You thrive in environments where collaboration, professionalism, adaptability, and strong clinical care are essential.
You Are Someone Who
- Demonstrates strong clinical judgment and ethical decision-making
- Remains calm and professional during crises or high-pressure situations
- Builds strong therapeutic rapport with adolescents and families
- Maintains professionalism, consistency, and healthy boundaries
- Works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team
- Is organized, dependable, and committed to high-quality client care
Required Qualifications
- Active AMFT or ASW registration in California required
- 1–2 years of clinical counseling experience, residential treatment preferred
- Knowledge of co-occurring disorders, treatment planning, and crisis intervention
- Strong clinical documentation and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced residential treatment environment
- Compassionate, reliable, and committed to client-centered adolescent care
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with adolescents ages 12–17
- Experience in residential treatment, behavioral health, or substance use treatment settings
- Familiarity with trauma-informed care and evidence-based therapeutic modalities
- Experience facilitating group and family therapy
- Strong understanding of adolescent development and behavioral health needs
Why Join Growth Centers of America?
At Growth Centers of America, you’ll join a mission-driven team dedicated to creating meaningful change in the lives of adolescents and families. We value compassion, collaboration, accountability, and personal growth — both for the clients we serve and the professionals who serve them.
This is more than a therapy role — it is an opportunity to make a lasting impact through meaningful clinical work, multidisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on experience in adolescent behavioral health and residential treatment.
Key Responsibilities
The Primary Therapist provides trauma-informed, evidence-based individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents in a residential setting. They collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop treatment plans, manage crises, and ensure compliance with clinical documentation standards.
Requirements
Candidates must hold an active AMFT or ASW registration in California and possess 1–2 years of clinical counseling experience. Proficiency in treatment planning, crisis intervention, and working with co-occurring disorders is required.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 60% are remote, 22% have no call, 56% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | not listed | Mental Health Therapy median $98k (middle half $83k–$121k)36 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost of living | California index 110.7 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in California | 600 active | 7,890 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 60% remote · 22% no call · 56% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
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