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Entry Level Mental Health Counselor Jobs in Riverside, CA

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 ...

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 ...

Victor

Mental Health Clinician

Hemet, CA · On-site

$73K - $98K/yr

Provides individual, family, and group counseling based on the needs of the clients served. * Meets ... Mental Health Day * 5 Bereavement Days * 3% Annual Salary Increases * Costco Membership (Gold Star)

Amae Health

Mental Health Therapist

Orange, CA · On-site

... hiring a Mental Health Therapist to join our upcoming clinic in Orange, CA as part of an ... Active Licensed Psychologist, LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC license in the state of CA; onsite supervision ...

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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 Aug 29, 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.
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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 67% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,108 per year, or $32.3 per hour.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor / Therapist (Remote)

Orange, CA • On-site

Talkspace
Health Care and Social Assistance • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Talkspaceexternal

$90/hr

Other

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Join Talkspace, a leading online behavioral healthcare platform that makes it easier for therapists and counselors to provide accessible, high-quality mental health care, all from the comfort of home. This is a remote position for clinicians who are independently licensed in California.

The Benefits:

  • Choose Your Time Commitment - As a Talkspace therapist, there is no caseload requirement or non-compete clause. Keep your current clientele while using Talkspace to fill openings in your schedule or build a full caseload on our platform!
  • Zero Overhead - Wave goodbye to insurance barriers, marketing budgets, and other administrative burdens. Talkspace not only delivers client referrals straight to you but also handles insurance claim submission and billing so you can focus on practicing the craft you love.
  • Flexible Scheduling - Create a schedule that works best for you and your clients. Provide mental health care at your convenience, whether that’s during the day, evenings, or on the weekend.
  • AI Assistance - Our optional, HIPAA-compliant AI features expedite session preparation and documentation by summarizing key details from previous sessions and drafting progress notes after each completed session.
  • And More! - Manage cases, write client notes, and schedule appointments all on the Talkspace platform. Earn free CE credits by attending our Learning Community sessions. Take advantage of resources like our Provider Help Center, live assistance from our dedicated Provider Support Team, and an after-hours crisis hotline for clients.

Requirements:

Talkspace is looking to expand our network of licensed mental health providers, which is primarily composed of 1099 contractors.

All Talkspace providers must possess:

  • Independent clinical licensure (e.g., LCSW, LPCC, LMFT)*
  • Individual malpractice insurance
  • Residence in the USA
  • NPI and CAQH numbers (required before seeing clients)

Experience working with teens, couples, military members OR clients struggling with women’s health issues is a bonus but not required!

*Note: Due to current demand, providers who ONLY hold clinical licensure in TX, FL, NC, MI will be placed on our waitlist.

Compensation:

Compensation is determined by the state in which your client resides. For 60-minute live sessions with California clients, you will be reimbursed $90; rates for shorter live sessions (30- and 45-minute) are prorated. Asynchronous messaging rates depend on client plans and their state of residence. Finally, we offer bonuses based on engagement with new clients.

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About Talkspace

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our mission at Talkspace is to make therapy affordable and accessible to everyone. To get there, we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people. Want to help over one million people feel better? Come join our team!

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

2011

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