Center for Positive Changes logo
Center for Positive Changes
San Diego, California

Head of Service/ Licensed Therapist-Kenora

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$72K - $84K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 7mo ago

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS- SAN DIEGO - SAN DIEGO, CA 92120Salary Range: $72,000.00 - $84,000.00 Salary JOB SUMMARY Center For Positive Changes (CFPC) is a 6-bed, Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP), committed to evaluating and addressing children, adolescent, and transitional age youth’s unique behavioral health needs.

We are seeking a licensed or pre-licensed therapist (Head of Service (HOS)) to join our clinical team who has high ethical standards and a desire to positively impact the lives of youth and families involved with Child Welfare Services and the Justice System.

The HOS provides Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS), including an array of therapeutic approaches, to help youth and families develop insight into maladaptive behaviors impairing functioning.

The HOS also educates and coaches children and families on using healthy social / emotional skills to more effectively cope with life stressors, in efforts to aid youth in successfully transitioning to a lower level of care.

Using a trauma informed and strength-based lens, the HOS provides clinical direction to the Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) and treats youth with co-occurring disorders including mental health, substance use, physical health, development, and intellectual challenges.

In collaboration with the MHRS using a recovery oriented approach, the HOS works closely with CFPC residential staff, social workers, probation officers, and other significant support people in each youth’s life to provide appropriate treatment and coordination of care.

Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications Education / Experience

A qualified candidate must be registered with the state of California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and meet requirements for one (1) or more of the following: Licensed or Pre-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT or AMFT) AND at least two (2) years of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program, preferably with children and adolescents.

OR Licensed or Pre-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC or APCC) AND at least two (2) years of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program, preferably with children and adolescents.

OR Licensed or Pre-Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW or ACSW) AND at least two (2) years of experience working in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program, preferably with children and adolescents.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Service provides Specialty Mental Health Services, including various therapeutic approaches, to help youth and families gain insight into maladaptive behaviors that impair functioning. This role also involves educating and coaching clients on healthy coping skills to facilitate successful transitions to lower levels of care.

Requirements

Candidates must be registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and meet qualifications as a Licensed or Pre-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT/AMFT), Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC/APCC), or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW/ACSW). A minimum of two years of experience in a residential treatment facility or outpatient mental health program, preferably with children and adolescents, is required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Head of Service/ Licensed Therapist-Kenora at CENTER FOR POSITIVE CHANGES 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 7,961 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 66% are remote, 34% 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)), so the posted ~$78k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $70k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

41 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution41 jobs · 27 employers

9
<$90k
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$90k-105k
8
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11
$120k-135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks34 jobs · 27 employers

401k / retirement match
94%
Sign-on bonus
38%
CME allowance
32%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 7.2
Better work-life than 80% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,961 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in San Diego

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.01M≈ 14.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,036/mo≈ 51% 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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