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Cortica
Mission Viejo, California

Entry Level Play-Based Therapist (Paid Training)

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

Listed compensation

$21.18-$28.42/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 19m 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: $21.18 to $28.42 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 2-week, in-person orientation that includes hands-on training. We’re invested in your success from day one.

  • 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.
  • Ability to consistently travel between client sites within a 30–40-minute radius using reliable transportation.
  • 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!

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). For more details, visit the full job description here.

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

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

#LI-GH1

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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 and experience working with children. The role requires reliable transportation for travel between client sites and proficiency with EMR and Microsoft Office tools.

Key Skills

Behavior analysisAutism supportData documentationCrisis interventionCommunicationCollaboration

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Entry Level Play-Based Therapist (Paid Training) 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 7,933 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, 32% are remote, 38% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 3.4% 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 ~$52k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $47k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

49 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution34 jobs

14
<$65k
6
$65k-85k
5
$85k-105k
6
$105k-125k
3
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks36 jobs

401k / retirement match
81% this job
CME allowance
53%
Sign-on bonus
31%
Loan repayment
31%
PSLF eligible
17%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

7.1/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling)

  • No call
  • No weekends

Living in Mission Viejo

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.14M
Typical market rent
$3,144/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
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 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Cortica logo

About Cortica

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

Benefits & Perks

401(k) with Company Matching
Referral Bonus ($250-$500)
Cell Phone Stipend
Paid Drive Time and Mileage Reimbursement
Fully Paid Training
Ongoing Professional Development
Career Advancement Opportunities