Psychotherapist, Behavioral Health
Pay as listed: $94k-$132k · no nights, no weekends · hybrid · Santa Clara, California · pays above the median of 135 Counselor listings (61st percentile).
Listed compensation
$94k-$132k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumedWeekdays only
Ask the employer about call expectations and time off.
Job Description
We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization
PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation CAD
Position Overview
Experience with group therapy.
Responsible for providing psychotherapy with individuals, children and families. Provides comprehensive assessment and counseling support for mental, emotional, social and behavioral issues that arise for patients with chronic or life threatening illness.
Assists patients in learning effective tools to cope with stress, grief and loss, and to make healthy behavioral changes.
Works in partnership with physicians, other health practitioners and administrative staff on care coordination and treatment planning, and is the principle team resource for all mental health matters.
The position also collaborates with the other psychotherapists (LCSW, LMFT, Psychologist) to implement and sustain best practices in the area of psychotherapy and guided imagery, and to stay abreast of research and best practice in the field of behavioral health.
**HYBRID REMOTE DAYS ELIGIBLE*
Job Description
Education
- Master's: Social Work
- OR Master of Social Services, MSS, degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
Certification & Licensure
- LCSW-Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- OR LMFT-Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
- OR PSY-Psychologist of California
Typical Experience
Two years recent relevant experience
Skills and Knowledge
Clinical skills in biopsychosocial assessment and clinical interventions, including crisis intervention, intervention with patient/family behavioral issues, grief counseling, supportive counseling, adjustment to illness, life review/end of life support, behavioral change therapy, motivational interviewing, short-term family counseling, group facilitation
- Collaboration skills and ability to work effectively on a team
- Knowledge of transitions of care and community resources
- Knowledge of post cute levels of care and resource needs for discharge planning
Knowledge of child, elder and dependent adult abuse, crimes against persons reporting requirements, and other significant regulations affecting clinical social work practice (e. g. Tarasoff, patient confidentiality)
Knowledge of behavioral health and the skills to assess mental health functioning, high risk behaviors, depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions impacting hospitalization or transitions of care
Knowledge of suicidal behavior, and the skills necessary to assess lethality, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care
Knowledge of substance use and the skills to assess level of addiction, motivation for change, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care
Knowledge and understanding of the influence of cultural and spiritual values in social work practice
Knowledge and skills necessary to provide psychosocial care appropriate to the age-specific needs of newborns, children, adolescents, adults and elders
Knowledge of palliative care, goals of care discussions, and the psychosocial needs of the patient and family at end-of-life
- Knowledge of bioethics and legal issues impacting patient care
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing
Must demonstrate interpersonal and organizational skills, to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities and competing demands
Proficient in using a computer to accurately enter and extract data, send and receive email, calendar appointments, and use task lists as will be using a variety of computer software programs
Knowledge of local county/state/federal resources for at-risk population
Job Shift
Days
Schedule: Full Time
Days of the Week
Variable
Weekend Requirements
None
Benefits
Yes
Unions
No
Position Status: Exempt
Weekly Hours
32
Employee Status
Regular
- Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
- Pay Range is $94,481.92 to $132,271.36 / annual salary
The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
Key Responsibilities
The psychotherapist provides comprehensive assessment and counseling support for mental, emotional, and behavioral issues in individuals, children, and families. They work in partnership with physicians and other health practitioners to coordinate care and implement best practices in behavioral health.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Social Work or Social Services and possess a valid LCSW, LMFT, or Psychologist license in California. At least two years of recent relevant experience is required, along with strong clinical skills in assessment and intervention.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Psychotherapist, Behavioral Health at Sutter Health a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 8,061 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts, remote work flexibility.
Counselor Career Context
Sutter Health ranks #1 of 29 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 60% are remote, 30% have no call, 66% require no weekends — this position is remote.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$113k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $102k 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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