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Forensic Counseling Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Forensic Counseling information

See California salary details

$40.5K

$86.7K

$135.2K

How much do forensic counseling jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic counseling in California is $86,726.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a forensic counseling mental health counselor make?

Forensic counseling mental health counselors typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and work setting. Salaries can vary based on certifications, specialized training, and whether they work in criminal justice, legal settings, or mental health facilities.

How to become a certified forensic counselor?

To become a certified forensic counselor, individuals typically need a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field, along with relevant supervised experience. Certification is often obtained through professional organizations such as the American Board of Forensic Counseling or similar bodies, which may require passing an exam and demonstrating specific forensic counseling skills.

What is forensic counseling?

Forensic counseling is a specialized field that combines psychological expertise with the legal and criminal justice systems. Forensic counselors assess, diagnose, and treat individuals who are involved in legal proceedings, such as offenders, victims, or witnesses. They may provide expert testimony in court, conduct risk assessments, or offer therapy to those affected by crime. This work often requires a thorough understanding of both mental health practices and legal standards. Forensic counselors play a critical role in helping courts make informed decisions about mental health issues related to legal cases.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic counselor?

To thrive as a Forensic Counselor, you need a background in psychology or counseling, knowledge of criminal justice, and a relevant license (such as LPC, LCSW, or LMFT). Familiarity with assessment tools, case management systems, and evidence documentation is typically required. Excellent communication, cultural competency, and strong ethical judgment are vital soft skills for building rapport and maintaining professional integrity. These skills and attributes enable effective evaluation, treatment, and advocacy for clients involved in the legal system.

How does a forensic counselor typically collaborate with legal professionals and other stakeholders in the justice system?

Forensic counselors frequently work alongside attorneys, judges, probation officers, and social workers to provide assessments, recommendations, and therapeutic services for individuals involved in the legal system. They may be called upon to present findings in court, develop treatment plans for offenders, or advise on sentencing and rehabilitation options. Effective communication and detailed documentation are crucial, as their work often directly influences legal outcomes and client well-being. This collaborative environment requires strong interpersonal skills and a thorough understanding of both clinical practice and legal procedures.

What does a forensic counselor do?

A forensic counselor assesses and treats individuals involved in the legal system, such as victims, offenders, or witnesses. They often work in correctional facilities, courts, or mental health settings, utilizing counseling skills and psychological assessments to support legal processes and rehabilitation.

How to become a forensic counselor?

To become a forensic counselor, you typically need a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field, along with specialized training in forensic or criminal justice settings. Licensure or certification is often required, and gaining experience through internships or supervised practice is important for career advancement.

What is the difference between Forensic Counseling vs Forensic Psychology?

AspectForensic CounselingForensic Psychology
Required CredentialsMaster's degree in counseling or related field, licensureDoctoral degree in psychology, licensure as psychologist
Work EnvironmentCourts, correctional facilities, mental health clinicsCourts, correctional facilities, research settings
Industry UsageLegal cases, mental health assessments, counselingLegal evaluations, expert testimony, psychological assessments

Forensic Counseling and Forensic Psychology both work within the legal system, but Forensic Counseling typically requires a master's degree and focuses on counseling and mental health support, while Forensic Psychology requires a doctoral degree and emphasizes psychological evaluations and expert testimony. Both roles are vital in legal settings but serve different functions based on their training and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Forensic Counseling jobs in California? For Forensic Counseling jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Forensic Counseling jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Counseling jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Forensic Counseling jobs? Cities in California with the most Forensic Counseling job openings:
Forensic Counseling jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Counseling job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,726 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Manager - Forensic Accounting & Litigation Support

GHJ

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

GHJ is looking for a Manager - Forensic Accounting & Litigation Support

WHY we get up in the morning:

At GHJ we help our people and clients pursue their passions, build thriving businesses, and create a better future.

WHAT we believe:

We believe that collaboration is the foundation for success. We work as a business advocate for our clients – providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for the future.

HOW we succeed:

We are deeply committed to our core values of Bright Minds, Brave Hearts and Bold Actions and incorporate them into every aspect of our business. By living these values, we are able to meet our strategic objectives of Remaining Fiercely Independent (financial success), Meeting client demands/needs (client success), Reinforcing and expanding cultural distinction (people success).

Summary of Role:

GHJ is seeking a Manager to join its Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support practice. This individual will lead forensic investigations and litigation-support engagements, manage day-to-day client relationships, oversee project teams and prepare complex financial analyses and investigative findings. The Manager will work closely with attorneys, business leaders and other stakeholders on commercial disputes, fraud investigations and related advisory matters.

What you’ll be doing:
  • Managing forensic accounting, litigation support and investigative engagements from planning through completion.
  • Serving as the primary day-to-day contact for clients, attorneys and other stakeholders.
  • Managing engagement scope, staffing, timelines, budgets and deliverables.
  • Preparing and reviewing complex financial models, damages analyses, investigative findings, reports and exhibits.
  • Analyzing financial records, accounting data and other documentation to identify relevant trends, discrepancies and findings.
  • Supervising, mentoring and reviewing the work of seniors and staff to ensure quality and support professional development.
  • Maintaining complete, accurate and well-supported engagement documentation and work product.
  • Communicating key findings, risks and engagement developments clearly to partners and clients.
What skills & experience you’ll bring to us:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA required.
  • Minimum of five years of relevant experience in forensic accounting, litigation support, disputes, investigations or a related professional services environment.
  • Expertise and knowledge in any of the following service areas:
    • Family law & litigation
    • Commercial litigation support
    • Fraud investigations
  • Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
  • Ability to draft written reports using Word and PowerPoint.
  • Excellent verbal and communication skills.

GHJ’s Forensic Services Practice:

Assists attorneys including outside/inside counsel, business leaders and individuals with a wide range of forensic accounting, litigation support and expert witness services. GHJ also provides a host of services to assist with internal investigations involving alleged fraud or employee misconduct.

GHJ expert witnesses provide testimony in state and federal courts as well as arbitrations and mediations. Our experts have extensive experience assisting counsel and their clients in evaluating all aspects of a dispute. We are often called upon to calculate and provide testimony regarding data analytics, economic damages or loss in business value. We provide clear and persuasive communication of findings through reports, exhibits and expert witness testimony.

Seven decades, overriding focus: our people and our clients:

GHJ was founded in 1953, making us one of the oldest independent firms in the Los Angeles area. Ranked as a top 20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Book of Lists, the firm has 22 partners and approximately 200 staff members that serve over 3,000 clients. Our firm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), Public Company Accounting Oversite Board (PCAOB), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CAN). Collaboration and maintaining strong relationships are the cornerstones of our success.

We are also an independent member of HLB International, a worldwide organization of over 250 member professional accounting firms and business advisors. This affiliation gives us access to the subject matter experts of other member firms and provides consulting and professional services in over 158 countries through its nearly 800 offices worldwide.

GHJ complies with all local/state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, ranges, applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications (e.g. JD, technology), for example. At GHJ, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: $137,000 - $185,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

GHJ is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including Department Heads and co-workers.

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.