Primary Therapist - Palm Desert

Counselor / TherapistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$31-$35/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 53m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

  • Monitor client safety continuously and develop effective safety plans.
  • Maintain compliance with clinical documentation as per ROWI and Joint Commission standards.
  • Communicate essential safety and progress information to the interdisciplinary team.
  • Deliver therapy sessions that comply with the designated level of care for each client.

Engage with referral sources and outpatient professionals promptly post-admission and provide necessary updates.

Collaborate on discharge planning and facilitate group therapy sessions, including alumni and multi-family groups.

Contribute actively to team meetings and uphold a positive, caring, and professional demeanor across all interactions.

Serve as a steadfast role model for clients and staff, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.

Skills and Qualifications

Educational Background: Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work from an accredited institution.

Licensure

Must be licensed or eligible as an MFT, Clinical Psychologist, or Social Worker. Unlicensed clinicians will receive supervision.

Experience: 1 year in the mental health field

Technical Proficiency: Comfortable with basic computer operations and maintaining strict confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Additional Requirements

  • Valid driver’s license and eligibility for insurance on agency vehicles.
  • Current First-Aid & CPR Certifications and a satisfactory criminal background check.

Join Team ROWI

Step into a role where you can truly make a difference. At ROWI, we are committed not only to the well-being of our clients but also to the professional and personal growth of our team. Join us in a fulfilling, engaging, and balanced work environment where each day brings new opportunities to impact lives positively.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $31.00 - $35.00 per hour

  • Clinical Hours toward Licensure
  • 0 - 600 hrs: $31.00
  • 601 - 1,200 hrs: $32.00
  • 1,201 - 1,800 hrs: $33.00
  • 1,801 - 2,400 hrs: $34.00
  • 2,401 - 3,000 hrs: $35.00

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development assistance
  • Referral program
  • Retirement plan
  • Vision insurance

Education

Master's (Required)

Experience

Adolescents: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification

Licensed Psychologist Credentials (Required)

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work and be licensed or eligible for licensure as an MFT, Psychologist, or Social Worker. Additionally, applicants must possess a valid driver's license, current First-Aid/CPR certifications, and pass a criminal background check.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Key Skills

Safety planningCrisis interventionMental health assessmentInterdisciplinary collaborationCase management

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% are remote, 20% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 3.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$64k–$73kMental Health Therapy median $70k (middle half $62k–$80k)45 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$62k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in California586 active7,912 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 52% remote · 20% no call · 70% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedCalifornia Counselor listings: 11% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Therapy listings2,533 in the last 30 days1,454 the 30 days before (+74%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Mental Health Therapy pay trend−3.3% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

47 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

47 jobs · 39 employers
15
<$90k
16
$90k-110k
10
$110k-130k
6
$130k-150k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

30 jobs
401k / retirement match
93% this job
Sign-on bonus
43%
CME allowance
40%
Loan repayment
10%
Relocation assistance
7%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Employee Assistance Program - Clinical Counselor (must reside in California)

CVS Health · California

$67k-$143k
#2

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

LifeStance Health · Lake Oswego, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

$123k-$141k
#4

Licensed Clinician DV/SA Program LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

$114k-$141k
+ 45 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,891 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers logo

About ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers

Mental Health Care
Thousand Oaks, California
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off

Living in Palm Desert

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$606k
Typical market rent
$2,749/mo
Residents’ average commute
21 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
106.4
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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