Sierra Health and Wellness logo
Sierra Health and Wellness
Bangor, California

Associate Therapist / Licensed Therapist

CounselorFull-Time

Listed compensation

$80k-$90k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Details: Job Location: Bangor, CA 95914, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Masters Degree, Salary Range: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 Salary/year, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Clinical, Job Description: The Associate Therapist is responsible for treating, assessing, monitoring, and developing a comprehensive plan to meet the needs of clients while in treatment for chemical and alcohol abuse and dependency.

The Associate Therapist is responsible for providing ongoing direct client care through weekly individual and group therapy, as well as responding to immediate clinical needs such as AMA prevention, crisis response, and milieu management.

In addition, the Associate Therapist provides family therapy to clients who request this service and where clinically indicated.

The Associate Therapist is a primary member and participant in weekly multidisciplinary treatment planning and works collaboratively with the certified SUD counselor to develop a comprehensive aftercare plan post-discharge.

Documentation within the electronic healthcare record is required for all clinical interactions and relevant case management activities. The Associate Therapist may also provide ongoing clinical consultation and support for the certified SUD counselors.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Performs professional mental health and substance use disorder services with clients in treatment for chemical and alcohol abuse and dependency.

Provides individual, group, and family therapy services. Assesses and monitors client’s progress and behavior while in treatment. Participates in multidisciplinary treatment planning and aftercare planning. Participates in collaborative treatment with representatives of other agencies.

Responds to clinical emergencies and acute client needs. Responds to client complaints in an efficient and timely manner. Records noteworthy events involving clinical services and client activities in the electronic medical record.

Reviews client chart for completion of all paperwork with appropriate signatures; may complete weekly audits. Attends conferences, workshops, and training to maintain current awareness of mental health and SUD methodologies and issues.

Maintains confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations. Operates a personal computer and other office equipment. Communicates effectively with others in person and over the telephone. May be assigned some lead and special work coordination responsibilities.

Competencies: Principles, procedures, techniques, trends of clinical and casework services, therapy, and treatment. Social aspects and characteristics of mental and emotional disturbances and substance use disorders. Principles of mental health and substance use disorder education.

A wide variety of therapeutic and treatment approaches for persons with mental and emotional problems. Scope, availability, and activities of community resources, including other mental health and social service agencies.

Current trends in mental hygiene, mental health, public health, and social services, including State and Federal programs in these areas. Expert communication skills and counseling abilities Commitment to the philosophy of recovery, continuity of the program, and to affirming the dignity and respect of all clients.

Work Environment: Office and Health care setting with clients and other employees present. Working indoors primarily and outdoors occasionally. Working in close proximity to others. May walk on slippery and uneven walking surfaces. Excessive continuous noise at times. Typical office and group counseling environment.

Mostly indoor office environment with windows and lights. Physical Demands: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Attending conferences or training session. Travel Required: Ability to travel to various office or facility locations.

Affirmative Action/EEOC Statement: Sierra Health and Wellness is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Associate Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 Licensed Salary: $90,000 - $115,000 Qualifications: Required education and experience: Must obtain and maintain a registration number regulated by a state board (ASW, AMFT, APC) Must possess a master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, or counseling.

Have at minimum one-year experience in Drug and Alcohol counseling. Very familiar with HIPAA/client confidentiality and personal rights. Must possess a current CPR and First Aid certification.

Must possess a valid Driver’s License Preferred education and experience: Two to three years of experience in drug and alcohol counseling BA or MA degree in related field.

Key Responsibilities

The Associate Therapist provides direct clinical care, including individual, group, and family therapy for clients with substance use disorders. They are responsible for developing comprehensive treatment and aftercare plans while maintaining accurate documentation in the electronic healthcare record.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a master's degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, or counseling and hold a valid state registration number (ASW, AMFT, or APC). A minimum of one year of experience in drug and alcohol counseling is required, along with current CPR and First Aid certification.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Key Skills

Individual therapySubstance use disorder counselingClinical documentationHIPAA complianceMental health assessmentMultidisciplinary collaboration

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 24% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$85k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $77k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

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Salary Distribution42 jobs · 30 employers

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks38 jobs · 30 employers

401k / retirement match
95%
CME allowance
32%
Sign-on bonus
24%
Loan repayment
24%
PSLF eligible
18%

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

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

Living in Bangor

Residents’ average commute
27 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Sierra Health and Wellness logo

About Sierra Health and Wellness

Mental Health Care
Sacramento, California
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

CPR and First Aid certification required