Cortica logo
Cortica
San Diego, California

Play Based Behavior Therapist

Counselor Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling)No callNo weekendsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$20.57-$27.6/hr

Listing transparency4 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Part-Time
Call expectations
No call
Weekends
No weekends
Posted 50m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Cortica is looking for dedicated, compassionate Behavior Technicians to join our growing team and help us design and deliver life-changing care for children with neurodevelopmental differences. At Cortica, we don’t just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose, growth, and support.

What We Offer

  • Pay Range: $20.57 to $27.60 per hour, based on experience and education.
  • Thoughtfully Designed Schedules: We offer a predictable schedule with a single, direct rate of pay, including:
  • Part-time roles with flexible 5-, 3- or 2-day-per-week options.
  • Opportunities to pick up additional hours on Saturdays

Fully Paid Training: Kickstart your career with Cortica with a comprehensive 4-week, in-person orientation that includes hands-on training..

  • Referral Bonus: Earn between $250-$500 for successful referrals.
  • Cell Phone Stipend: Stay connected with support from us.

Paid Drive Time and Mileage Reimbursement: We value your time on the road and include toll reimbursement in select areas.

  • 401(k) with Company Matching: Secure your future with our generous plan.
  • Ongoing Professional Development: Access continuous training through in-person and online opportunities.

Supportive Environment: Collaborate with and receive expert coaching from Lead BTs, ABA Assistant Supervisors, and ABA Supervisors who champion your growth.

Career Advancement: Opportunities to grow your career by advancing to a BCBA role, ascending the Behavior Technician Clinical Ladder, or serving in a corporate support role.

Learn from Experts in Other Fields: Partner with BCBAs and experts in speech-language therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy as well as counselors, pediatricians, neurologists, and nurse practitioners.

Your Impact & Responsibilities

Provide 1:1 and group behavior-analytic services to children with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences.

  • Implement positive behavior strategies developed with your BCBA.
  • Use evidence-based practices to create meaningful progress for families.
  • Document session data to track and support treatment goals.
  • Collaborate closely with families and supervisors to build supportive environments.
  • Follow Cortica's crisis protocols, including de-escalation and mandated reporting.

Who We’re Looking For

  • Experience working with children (experience with autism is a plus!).
  • High School or equivalent, bachelor’s or master’s degree.
  • A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (within a 30–40-minute drive radius).
  • Tech-savvy with EMR systems and Microsoft Office tools.

Our Inclusive Culture

  • Transdisciplinary Approach: Collaborate with experts in various fields to care for the whole child.
  • Collaborative Process: Develop individualized care plans alongside families and clinicians.

Strength-Based, Neurodiversity-Affirming Model: Focus on building on each child’s unique strengths rather than emphasizing deficits.

Join Cortica’s team and make a meaningful impact by applying a strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming ABA therapy model. Help children recognize and build on their unique abilities, fostering positive relationships and skills that translate across home, school, and community settings. Be part of a progressive approach that combines neuroscience and developmental models to empower each child to thrive.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today!

EOE. This posting is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the role and its duties. Please review the job description in the following link: https://bit.ly/4fILKqj

Privacy Notice

Cortica is committed to protecting your personal information in compliance with applicable federal and state laws. Please review our Privacy Notice to understand how your data is collected, used, and protected.

Fair Chance Ordinance Compliance

Cortica is committed to fair hiring practices. Qualified candidates with criminal histories and/or driving violations will be considered and are not automatically disqualified from employment, consistent with applicable federal law, the California Fair Chance Act, and local ordinances.

Driving Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a post-offer background check and a motor vehicle report review.

E-Verify Participation

This employer participates in E-Verify. Click here to view the E-Verify Poster and your Right to Work.

Este empleador participa en E-Verify. Haga clic aquí para ver el cartel de E-Verify y su derecho a trabajar.

Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) Accredited 2024 | America’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces 2025 Newsweek | Great Place to Work Certified 2025 | Glassdoor 4.3 Rating 2025 | Indeed 4.1 Rating 2025

#LI-TS1

#SanDiegoBICareers

Key Responsibilities

Provide 1:1 and group behavior-analytic services to children with neurodevelopmental differences while implementing positive behavior strategies. Document session data to track treatment goals and collaborate with families and clinical supervisors.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with a bachelor's or master's degree preferred. A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and experience working with children are required.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Behavior analysisAutism supportData documentationCrisis interventionEvidence-based practiceCollaborationCommunication

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Play Based Behavior Therapist at Cortica a 7.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,695 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties, no weekend requirements.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 34% are remote, 44% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 10.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$50k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $45k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution28 jobs

10
<$75k
6
$75k-95k
1
$104k
7
$115k-135k
4
$135k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks25 jobs

401k / retirement match
84% this job
CME allowance
60%
Sign-on bonus
36%
Loan repayment
24%
PSLF eligible
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Mental Health Therapist, 1099 - California, Riverside Area1099

Octave · Riverside, California

$117-$145/hr
#2

Mental Health Therapist, 1099 - California, Sacramento Area1099

Octave · Sacramento, California

$117-$145/hr
#3

Remote Mental Health Therapist – LCSW/LPCC/LMFT/LP (1099, California)

$75-$95/hr
#4

Mental Health Therapist (Part-Time, W2)

$58.5-$85/hr
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

7.1/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling)

A signal to investigate—not a guarantee about the workplace.

  • No call
  • No weekends
Cortica logo

About Cortica

Hospitals and Health Care
San Diego, California
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Pay Range: $20.57 to $27.60 per hour
Part-time roles with flexible 5-, 3- or 2-day-per-week options
Opportunities to pick up additional hours on Saturdays
Fully Paid Training
Referral Bonus: $250-$500
Cell Phone Stipend
Paid Drive Time and Mileage Reimbursement
401(k) with Company Matching