Primary Therapist - LCSW, LMFT - PRN
Listed compensation
$40-45/hr
The week · per this posting
Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Schedule: per diem - as needed
The pay range for this position is $ 40-45 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. Entry level candidates can expect to start at the lower end of the range. Candidates with substantial experience and expertise may qualify for compensation at the higher end of the range.
In addition to base pay, this position offers quarterly bonuses tied to key performance indicators (KPIs), a CEU incentive program, and access to our clinical incentive training program, which can be applied toward tuition reimbursement.
About Us
Chapters Capistrano is dedicated to helping people overcome their struggles with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues. Our centers are staffed with people with extensive experience in treating adults with substance use and mental health disorders. We believe in continuing to grow, innovate, and fostering a culture of learning and support.
Role Summary
The Therapist is responsible for providing individual and group therapy, assessing and monitoring client behavior while in treatment for chemical and alcohol abuse and dependency.
In collaboration with the Clinical Director, the Therapist is responsible for documenting client behavior, group participation and therapy, caring for clients, and coordinating treatment and discharge planning.
Therapists will also be providing crisis management, and education for the clients and family/significant others in therapeutic milieu setting.
Responsibilities
- Provide individual and group therapy using variety of modalities: CBT, DBT, EFT, ACT, and MI.
- Complete and maintain individual and group therapy notes and documentation.
- Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with clients, their families, colleagues, and external partners to support effective treatment.
- Adapt therapy to meet the individual needs of clients based on their reactions and expressed needs..
- Respond to emergencies and initiate action as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Ability to use motivational interviewing to reinforce client’s power to make change.
- Possess knowledge of HIPAA.
- Possess experience and/or education with crisis management.
- The candidate will show skills and competency in working with clients, from undertaking clinical assessments, planning and delivery of care to review of effective methods of interventions, in order to shape continuing service provision which will meet the needs of individuals.
- Preferred candidates should be able to work well within a team and independently, effective communication skills, time management, ability to problem solve, and strong professional boundaries.
- The candidate will be sensitive to religious, ethnic, and cultural differences.
- Knowledge of CBT, DBT, 12-step recovery, and other evidenced-based theories is a plus.
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in Behavioral Health Field
- Therapist License: LCSW, LMFT
- Current CPR and First Aid Certification or willing to obtain
- Must successfully complete Background Check, Drug Screen, and TB Test
Physical Requirements
- Light lifting, able to walk up and down stairs, and extended periods of time sitting.
Benefits
- Quarterly Bonuses based on KPI’s
- Retirement Plan
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a Behavioral Health field and a valid LCSW or LMFT license. Current CPR and First Aid certifications are required, along with the ability to pass a background check, drug screen, and TB test.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Primary Therapist - LCSW, LMFT - PRN at Sunshine Behavioral Health a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,479 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 32% have no call, 58% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 7.2 / 10 · top 25% in mental health therapy (counseling) | ranked against 7,479 Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | not listed | Mental Health Therapy median $56k (middle half $48k–$83k)48 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost of living | California index 110.7 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Mental Health Therapy listings in California | 576 active | 7,478 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 44% remote · 32% no call · 58% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | sign-on bonus | California counselor listings (all specialties): 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Mental Health Therapy listings | 2,512 in the last 30 days | 1,354 the 30 days before (+86%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
Top contract/1099 Counselor Jobs
50 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
26 jobsAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
31 jobsShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Outpatient Therapist TF-CBT
Northeast Family Services · New Rochelle, New York
Outpatient Therapist TF-CBT
Northeast Family Services · Bronx, New York
Remote Mental Health Therapist - LCSW, LPCC, LMFT (1099, CA)
$75-$90/hrMental Health Therapist- Contract 1099
$70-$90/hr