Associate Therapist

Company: Akua Behavioral Health Inc
Location: San Diego
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description: Position: Associate Therapist Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt Compensation: Base Salary: $32 - $35/hour (Associate) Benefits: Free Clinical Supervision (Hours Towards Licensing) Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, Dental) PTO (Vacation, Sick) Equity Shares (ESOP) Job Description We seek an Associate Therapist (ASW/AMFT/APCC) to join our dedicated team and provide our clients mental health and substance abuse treatment. The Therapist position is crucial in helping clients achieve lasting recovery through individual and group therapy, treatment planning, assessments, and crisis intervention. The Therapist will receive Clinical Supervision in a fast paced, high learning environment. Program Details: This is a 14-Bed Crisis Stabilization Mental Health Residential Facility. This program will treat high acuity clients with mental health disorders such as: Bi-Polar, Schizophrenia, Depression, Anxiety, etc. Due to the nature of the clients treated at this program, and the relevant governing body (DSS and DHCS) requirements, candidates with a background of treating mental health clients in a crisis setting are strongly preferred. Key Responsibilities Individual Therapy: Conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide evidence-based therapy to address substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health issues, and trauma. Group Therapy: Facilitate psychoeducational and process-oriented groups to foster peer support, skill development, and relapse prevention. Care Coordination: Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to coordinate care, advocate for clients' needs, and ensure continuity of treatment. Utilization Review: We conduct clinical updates to assess the client’s treatment and service utilization progress and establish medical necessity for our insurance partners. Crisis Intervention: Provide immediate support and resources during emotional or behavioral crises, ensuring client safety and well-being. Documentation: We maintain accurate and timely clinical records in accordance with ethical and legal guidelines, including timely clinical updates for our insurance partners. Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training, supervision, and consultation to enhance clinical skills and knowledge. Requirements: Qualifications & Skills Education: Master's degree in social work (MSW), counseling psychology (MA/MSc), clinical psychology (MA/MSc), or relevant field. Licensure: Registered Associate (ASW/AMFT/APCC) in California. Experience: Minimum of one year of experience providing direct clinical services to individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders. Skills: Strong clinical assessment, treatment planning, and therapy skills; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively in a team setting. Additional Requirements: Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening Current CPR/First Aid Certification (Required) Valid CA Driver's License Current Health Screen (Required) TB Clearance (Required) Ability to communicate with compassion and empathy Strong ability to manage time and prioritize tasks Company Description: Akua Behavioral Health is California’s leading mental health and substance abuse treatment center. We provide our clients with individualized, compassionate treatment and offer various levels of care from Master’s and Doctorate level clinicians at fully licensed and accredited facilities throughout Northern and Southern California. To give our clients the best chance at lasting recovery, we pioneered an integrative East-meets-West approach that combines Western evidence-based treatment with holistic Eastern traditions to treat the mind, body, and spirit. Our mission is to create an environment of healing and transformation for each client seeking change.

Keywords: Akua Behavioral Health Inc, Lake Forest , Associate Therapist, Healthcare , San Diego, California