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Entry Level Mental Health Counselor Jobs in Riverside, CA

Headway

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Irvine, CA

$117.73/hr

" Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Wage: Up to $117.73/hour Licensed Mental Health Counselor -- Are you ready to launch or expand your private practice? Headway is here to help you start ...

Headway

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Anaheim, CA

$117.73/hr

" Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Wage: Up to $117.73/hour Licensed Mental Health Counselor -- Are you ready to launch or expand your private practice? Headway is here to help you start ...

Headway

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$117.73/hr

" Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Wage: Up to $117.73/hour Licensed Mental Health Counselor -- Are you ready to launch or expand your private practice? Headway is here to help you start ...

Headway

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Anaheim, CA · On-site +1

$117.73/hr

" Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Wage: Up to $117.73/hour Licensed Mental Health Counselor -- Are you ready to launch or expand your private practice? Headway is here to help you start ...

Newport Healthcare

Milieu Counselor/Clinician

Orange, CA

$25.27 - $32.85/hr

The Milieu Counselor specifically addresses patients in need of immediate or emergent services. Key ... Minimum two (2) years of experience with adolescents or young adults in a mental health or ...

Newport Healthcare

Milieu Counselor/Clinician

Orange, CA · On-site

$25.27 - $32.85/hr

The Milieu Counselor specifically addresses patients in need of immediate or emergent services. Key ... Minimum two (2) years of experience with adolescents or young adults in a mental health or ...

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All JobsMental Health Counselor JobsEntry Level Mental Health Counselor JobsEntry Level Mental Health Counselor Jobs in Riverside, CA

Entry Level Mental Health Counselor information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$32.9K

$67.1K

$121.5K

How much do entry level mental health counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level mental health counselor in Riverside, CA is $67,108.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $75,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level mental health counselor do?

As an entry-level mental health counselor, your job is to provide therapy, assessment, and emotional support for a client as part of a treatment plan. Entry-level mental health counselors often specialize in specific areas, such as behavioral therapy, and you can also focus on specific demographics like children, inmates, or immigrant populations who only speak a foreign language. Many entry-level mental health counselors work under the supervision of more-experienced counselors. Doing this can help you progress towards additional industry licensing or certification. This job can be remote, but most entry-level mental health counselors work out of offices or, less often, travel to visit patients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level mental health counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Mental Health Counselor, you generally need a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field, along with supervised clinical experience. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), counseling software, and sometimes relevant state licensure or certification is important. Outstanding listening skills, empathy, and strong verbal communication help counselors build trust and rapport with clients. These skills and qualifications are vital for effectively supporting clients' mental health and ensuring ethical, high-quality care.

What kinds of support and supervision can entry level mental health counselors expect in their first year on the job?

Entry-level mental health counselors typically receive regular supervision from licensed clinicians, which helps them develop their counseling skills and navigate challenging cases. Many organizations offer weekly or bi-weekly individual and group supervision sessions, along with opportunities for ongoing training and professional development. New counselors often work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with social workers, psychologists, and case managers to coordinate comprehensive care for clients. This structured support system ensures that new counselors build confidence and competency while working towards licensure.

What is the difference between Entry Level Mental Health Counselor vs Mental Health Technician?

AspectEntry Level Mental Health CounselorMental Health Technician
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or related field; some roles may need state licensure or certificationUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certification may be preferred but not always required
Work EnvironmentClinics, mental health facilities, hospitals, private practicesHospitals, residential treatment centers, community health settings
Job ResponsibilitiesProviding counseling, developing treatment plans, supporting clients' mental health needsAssisting with client activities, monitoring behavior, supporting treatment plans under supervision

In summary, Entry Level Mental Health Counselors typically hold a bachelor's degree and provide direct counseling services, while Mental Health Technicians often have less formal education and focus on supporting client care and monitoring in mental health settings.

How to start a career in entry level mental health counseling?

To start a career as an entry-level mental health counselor, obtain a relevant bachelor's degree such as psychology or social work, and consider earning a master's degree in mental health counseling or a related field. Gaining supervised clinical experience and obtaining licensure or certification, such as the National Counselor Certification (NCC), are also essential steps to qualify for entry-level positions in the field.

What is the fastest way to become an entry level mental health counselor?

To become an entry-level mental health counselor, you typically need to earn a relevant bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, followed by obtaining supervised experience or internships. Many states require passing a licensing exam and completing a master's degree in mental health counseling or a similar discipline for full licensure, but some entry-level roles may be available with a bachelor's degree and relevant experience.
More about Entry Level Mental Health Counselor jobs

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For Entry Level Mental Health Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Mental Health Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Mental Health Counselor jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Entry Level Mental Health Counselor jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Entry Level Mental Health Counselor job openings:

Entry Level Mental Health Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Mental Health Counselor job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,108 per year, or $32.3 per hour.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Headway

Irvine, CA

$117.73/hr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

"

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Wage: Up to $117.73/hour

Licensed Mental Health Counselor — Are you ready to launch or expand your private practice? Headway is here to help you start accepting insurance with ease, increase your earnings with higher rates, and start taking covered clients sooner. It’s all on one free-to-use platform, no commitment required.

 

About you

●      You’re a fully-licensed Mental Health Counselor at a Master’s level or above with LMHC, LPCMH, or LIMHP licensure (accepted on a state by state basis), a valid NPI number, and malpractice insurance.

●      You’re ready to launch a private practice, or grow your existing business by taking insurance.

About Headway

Your expertise changes lives. Taking insurance makes it accessible to those who need it most. Every mental health provider who goes in-network with Headway supports people who’d otherwise be forced to choose between paying out of pocket, or not getting care at all. We make that process seamless — empowering you to accept insurance with ease, so you can do what you do best. So far, we’ve helped over 50,000 providers grow their practices, reaching countless people in need.

How Headway supports providers 

-       Start taking insurance, stress-free: Get credentialed for free in multiple states in as little as 30 days and start seeing covered clients sooner.

-       Built-in compliance: Stay compliant from day one with audit support and ongoing resources.

-       Expansive coverage: Work with the plans that most clients use, including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.

-       Increase your earnings: Secure higher rates with top insurance plans through access to our nationwide insurance network.

-       Dependable payments: Build stability in your practice with predictable bi-weekly payments you can count on.

-       Built-in EHR features: Manage your practice in one place with real-time scheduling, secure client messaging, end-to-end documentation templates, built-in assessments, and more.

-       Free continuing education: Nurture your long-term professional goals and earn CEUs with complimentary courses on Headway Academy.

How Headway supports your clients

●      Increased access: Headway makes it easier for your clients to get the care they need at a price they can afford through insurance.

●      Instant verification: Clients can easily check their insurance status and get the care they need without disruption.

Please note: At this time, Headway can’t support mental health professionals that aren’t fully licensed. If your application was rejected for incomplete licensure, you’re welcome to reapply once you have a valid license. 

"

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