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Center for Positive Changes
San Diego, California

Associate Mental Health Therapist (AMFT/APCC/ASW)- STRTP

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$78k-$83k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS- SAN DIEGO - SAN DIEGO, CA 92120Salary Range: $78,000.00 - $83,000.00 Salary Build Your Clinical Career While Making a Difference Center For Positive Changes (CFPC) is seeking an Associate Therapist / Head of Service (AMFT, APCC, or ASW) to join our clinical team serving adolescents and transitional-age youth in a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP).

This is an excellent opportunity for a registered associate working toward independent licensure who wants to gain meaningful clinical experience in a supportive, multidisciplinary behavioral health environment.

Under the supervision of experienced clinical supervisors, you'll provide Specialty Mental Health Services, participate in assessment and treatment planning, facilitate individual, family, and group services, support crisis intervention, and coordinate care with youth, families, social workers, probation officers, residential staff, and community providers.

If you're building your career in child and adolescent mental health and want your work to make a meaningful difference, we'd love to meet you.

Qualifications

Minimum

Qualifications

Applicants must have an active California Board of Behavioral Sciences registration as one of the following: 1) AMFT Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) AND at least 2 years of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program.

2) APCC Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) AND at least 2 years of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program.

3) ASW Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) AND at least 2 years of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program. Experience working with children, adolescents, foster youth, or transitional-age youth is strongly preferred.

What You'll Do

Under the supervision of 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 developing and updating individualized treatment plans and safety plans Facilitate individual, family, and group therapeutic services Provide psychoeducation and skill-building interventions Help youth develop healthy coping, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills Provide care coordination and connect youth and families with appropriate community resources Monitor symptoms, behaviors, strengths, needs, and progress toward treatment goals Participate in crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, and incident debriefing Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) and Treatment Team meetings Collaborate with MHRS staff, residential staff, social workers, probation officers, families, and community providers Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation Participate in ongoing clinical supervision and professional development

Key Responsibilities

Provide specialty mental health services, including individual, family, and group therapy, while participating in treatment planning and crisis intervention. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including social workers and residential staff, to coordinate care and monitor progress for adolescents.

Requirements

Applicants must hold an active California BBS registration as an AMFT, APCC, or ASW. A minimum of two years of experience in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program is required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental health assessmentIndividual therapyFamily therapyChild and adolescent therapyCase managementCommunication skills

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 36% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$81k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $73k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution34 jobs · 24 employers

12
<$95k
8
$95k-110k
6
$110k-125k
7
$125k-140k
1
$141k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks25 jobs · 24 employers

401k / retirement match
88%
Sign-on bonus
48%
CME allowance
40%
Loan repayment
12%
PSLF eligible
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Indian Health Council · Valley Center, California

$114k-$141k
#2

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

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$115k-$135k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
+ 32 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 1.5
Below most Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,995 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in San Diego

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.01M≈ 12.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,036/mo≈ 47% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
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 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

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