SAN Diego Center for Children logo
SAN Diego Center for Children
San Diego, California

Intensive Family Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$70k-$73k

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

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

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 2h ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Salary Range: $70,304.00 - $73,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: DayBy joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact? Join us - and work with purpose! POSITION BENEFITS Team-oriented, Multidisciplinary Approach Ongoing, High-Level Learning and Development Opportunities Culturally Diverse Environment Joint Commission Accredited Organization Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet) Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3% Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays) Wellness Programs EAP - Employee Assistance Program Employee Discounts For Those Pursuing a Higher Education Employee Discounts Employee Recognition Program Opportunities for Career Advancement May Be Eligible For State or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved Populations All Offsite Programs Have a Bonus Structure All Offsite Programs Have a Bonus Structure, Up to $10,000 Bonus Earning Potential for Clinical Positions and Up to $2,000 Bonus Earning Potential for Non-Clinical Positions! SUMMARY Intensive Family Therapist (IFT) will create and oversee a process of enhancing supports, building on strengths and meeting needs for referred children and their families using a trauma informed therapeutic wraparound planning process. IFT will partner with family, referral source, involved medical, mental health, and education providers, and other appropriate community agencies. Average caseload is 8-10. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Provides assessment, evaluation, plan development, collateral, crisis intervention, and intensive case management services. Provides family therapy to identified youth and their primary caregivers, and individual or group therapy as needed. Guides the Wrap Team development and process, ensuring smooth transition through the phases of the wraparound process and emphasizing inclusion of natural supports, as appropriate. Develops, coordinates, and ensures the implementation of the family wrap plan. Monitors data on treatment progress and use this data to modify the family wrap plan as needed. Locates, coordinates and develops linguistically and culturally diverse informal and formal resources and networks for families in the communities where they reside. Oversees the development of effective crisis plans, utilizing natural supports and, where needed, formal resources, and provides crisis intervention and/or linkage to crisis support. Collaborates with referral source, involved medical, mental health, and education providers, family advocacy programs, other appropriate community agencies, and other formal and informal supports as needed. Participates in fidelity and quality improvement efforts, including wrap coaching, ongoing training, and super
  • visions. Sustains the team commitment to Wraparound values and approach. Coordinates efforts with Parent Coach, Youth Coach, and other appropriate staff in providing supports and services. Utilizes super
  • vision, consultation, and training as necessary to provide high quality services to youth and families in an effective manner. Maintains accurate, complete, and timely case records per SDCC policies. Required to work evenings as assigned to meet the needs of families. Fulfills training requirements including documentation training, cultural competency, HIPAA, and all applicable EBP training. Maintain clear, effective, and open communication with internal staff/programs and with community partners. Maintains current licensure and or intern registration. Other duties as assigned. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups. Ability to produce clear, concise, and clinically appropriate records. REASONING ABILITY Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hand to finger; or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Regular and daily use of keyboard/computer and desk work required. Due to the emotional inst
  • ability of the clients the employee may be subjected to kicking, hitting, punching, biting, hair pulling, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. DIVERSITY STATEMENT The San Diego Center for Children is committed to: Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization. Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services, and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect. Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Valid California Driver’s License and Reliable Transportation (must be willing to utilize personal vehicle for work related responsibilities) Registered Associate with the BBS (APCC, ASW, AMFT) in social work, psychology, professional clinical counseling, or marriage and family therapy in the state of California Master’s Degree from an Accredited University Demonstrated experience working with children, youth, and/or families Must be available to work evening hours, including shifts scheduled until 7:00 PM PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Familiar with the model of Wraparound Netsmart or SmartCare trained

Key Responsibilities

The Intensive Family Therapist oversees a trauma-informed wraparound planning process to enhance supports and meet the needs of referred children and their families. They provide direct clinical services, including family, individual, and group therapy, while coordinating with community providers and maintaining accurate case records.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree and be a Registered Associate with the California BBS (APCC, ASW, or AMFT). A valid California driver's license and the ability to work evening hours are required.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Trauma informed careTreatment planningClinical documentationCollaborationHIPAA complianceCrisis planningWraparound coaching

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 22% have no call, 72% 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 ~$72k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $65k 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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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks32 jobs · 28 employers

401k / retirement match
91% this job
CME allowance
50%
Sign-on bonus
22% this job
Loan repayment
9% this job
Relocation assistance
9%

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Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

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

SAN Diego Center for Children logo

About SAN Diego Center for Children

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)
403(b) with Employer Match Up To 3%
Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
Wellness Programs
EAP - Employee Assistance Program
Employee Discounts
Employee Recognition Program
Opportunities for Career Advancement