AMFT/APCC Primary Therapist - Higher Acuity Crisis Prevention Experience Required

Primary Therapist | San Diego

Alter Behavioral Health is an adult mental health treatment provider with a network of upscale inpatient residential facilities in Orange County and San Diego.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM + on-call rotation to support 24/7 operations

Competitive Compensation: $73,000 – $75,000/year DOE

Location: You will be assigned to our San Diego location with ability to provide support to our Orange County residential facilities located in Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Beach, or Irvine.

Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution | 401(k) with employer match up to 6% | PTO & CA Paid Sick Leave | Gym membership/wellness reimbursement (up to $50/month) | Weekly clinical supervision & ongoing professional development opportunities

Make a Difference Every Day

At Alter Behavioral Health, every session matters. As a Primary Therapist, you play a vital role in supporting clients through meaningful change, guiding them toward stability, healing, and long-term growth.

This role goes beyond providing therapy — it’s about building trust, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and delivering high-quality, evidence-based care in a structured residential setting.

What You’ll Do

Client Therapy & Treatment Planning

Conduct individual and group therapy sessions using evidence-based modalities

Complete biopsychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans

Monitor client progress and adjust interventions to support clinical outcomes

Client Support & Engagement

Build therapeutic rapport and maintain professional boundaries

Support clients in developing coping skills, emotional regulation, and insight

Encourage participation in programming and adherence to treatment plans

Collaboration & Care Coordination

Partner with psychiatrists, nurses, case managers, and residential staff

Participate in treatment team meetings and case consultations

Ensure continuity of care across all levels of treatment

Documentation & Compliance

Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory standards

Complete progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge summaries

Ensure compliance with DHCS, DSS, Joint Commission, and HIPAA requirements

Crisis Intervention

Respond appropriately to clients in distress using de-escalation and clinical judgment

Assess risk and involve appropriate clinical leadership when necessary

Professional Development

Participate in supervision, staff meetings, and ongoing trainings

Pursue growth in clinical skills and evidence-based practices

What We’re Looking For

Compassionate, ethical, and client-centered clinician

Strong clinical judgment and ability to work independently and collaboratively

Comfortable in a fast-paced residential treatment environment

Knowledgeable in California BBS regulations and documentation standards

Committed to continuous learning and professional growth

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in residential treatment or higher levels of care

Training or certification in EMDR or Brainspotting

Familiarity with trauma-informed care practices

Experience working within multidisciplinary treatment teams

EMR experience (Kipu preferred)

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy, Counseling, Social Work, or related field

Active BBS registration (AMFT, ACSW, or APCC) required

Experience in mental health treatment, preferably with co-occurring disorders

Ability to safely and effectively interact with clients experiencing psychiatric symptoms

Requirements

Valid California Driver’s License required

CPR & First Aid certification required (or ability to obtain prior to start)

Must pass Live Scan fingerprint clearance

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Physical Requirements

Frequent sitting, standing, and movement throughout the facility

Ability to navigate multi-level residential homes, including stairs

Ability to respond to crisis situations as needed

Ability to operate computers and documentation systems

Compliance

Employment is contingent upon:

Successful Live Scan clearance

Completion of required health screenings, drug testing, and TB testing

Compliance with DHCS, DSS, Joint Commission standards, HIPAA, and applicable California employment laws

DISCLAIMER – This posting provides a general overview of the Primary Therapist role at Alter Behavioral Health. It is not a complete or exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, requirements, or conditions of employment. Specific job functions and expectations may be modified at the discretion of the company in accordance with business needs. Alter Behavioral Health complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including the California Labor Code, Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Order 5, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and all laws relating to non-discrimination, equal opportunity employment, disability accommodation, and workplace safety.