Associate Residential Therapist- Neurodivergent Program
Listed compensation
$70K - $85K
The week · per this posting · Tuesday – Saturday
Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Description
$70,000–$85,000 (based on experience) | Associate Level (AMFT, APCC, ACSW) | Sonoma, CA
Shift: Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday
About the Role
Join our Joint Commission-accredited residential treatment program providing evidence-based therapy to teens ages 12–17 in a 24-hour therapeutic milieu, with a specialization in neurodivergent presentations including ASD, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and social communication challenges. As a residential clinician, you are embedded in the daily life of the program — providing individual, family, and group therapy while collaborating with on-site psychiatrists, nurses, and fellow clinicians around the clock.
Why Join Us
- Work that matters — help teens and families through some of the hardest moments of their lives
- Specialized clinical focus — dedicated training in neurodivergent-affirming modalities provided
- Collaborative clinical team — supported by psychiatrists, nurses, and fellow therapists working as part of an integrated clinical team
- Full benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision, 401k + match, PTO, FSA, EAP
Requirements
What You’ll Do
Provide weekly individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy using DBT, CBT, ACT, PEERS, and trauma-focused modalities (polyvagal, interoception, somatic exercises)
Facilitate neurodivergent-specific programming including social skills groups and nervous system regulation interventions
Be present and active in the residential milieu — building rapport with residents, modeling therapeutic interventions, and shaping treatment in real time alongside direct care staff
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments to guide treatment
- Develop and maintain individualized treatment plans for each client
- Collaborate with on-site clinicians, psychiatry, and nursing in daily and weekly multidisciplinary team meetings
- Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation
- Participate in on-call rotation and 24-hour crisis response as needed
- What We’re Looking For
Must Have
- Master’s in psychology, counseling, social work, or MFT
- Active CA Associate number: AMFT, APCC, ACSW
- 2+ years of clinical experience in residential or inpatient behavioral health settings — comfort with the milieu is essential
- Strong background in trauma-informed care and evidence-based modalities (DBT, CBT, ACT, or similar)
- Experience with neurodivergent populations — ASD, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or related presentations
- Knowledge of ethical and legal standards, including mandated reporting
- Ability to work one weekend day per week
Preferred
- 3+ years in adolescent residential or psychiatric care
- Familiarity with Safe & Sound Protocol, PEERS, Interoception, or Polyvagal-informed practice (training provided for all)
- Familiarity with family systems work and care coordination
About Muir Wood
We provide trauma-informed, relationship-centered residential treatment for teens ages 12–17 struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. Our multidisciplinary team — therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and youth counselors — works together to help adolescents and families heal.
Muir Wood Teen Treatment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All positions require a LiveScan background check.
Key Responsibilities
Provide individual, family, and group therapy to neurodivergent teens within a 24-hour residential treatment milieu. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists and nurses to develop treatment plans and manage crisis responses.
Licensure & Certifications
Requires a Master's degree in a behavioral health field and an active California Associate license (AMFT, APCC, or ACSW). Candidates must have at least 2 years of clinical experience in residential or inpatient settings and a background in trauma-informed care.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 22% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$78k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $70k 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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