Sutter Health logo
Sutter Health
Santa Clara, California · Hybrid

Psychotherapist, Behavioral Health

CounselorNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

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.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

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

Clinical documentationInterpersonal 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).

Top Counselor Jobs

42 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution42 jobs · 34 employers

12
<$90k
16
$90k-110k
6
$110k-130k
6
$130k-150k
2
$150k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks34 jobs

401k / retirement match
94%
CME allowance
44%
Sign-on bonus
35%
Loan repayment
15%
PSLF eligible
12%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Genetic Counselor

Sutter Health · Sunnyvale, California

$112k-$167k
#2

Dental Therapist

InterDent Service · Salem, Oregon

From $155k
#3

Behavioral Health Provider (ASW/LCSW or AMFT/LMFT) - Napa

$88k-$138k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$118k-$135k
+ 40 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.6
Better work-life than 60% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 8,061 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights
  • Hybrid
  • Remote