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Mft Practicum Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Clinic Director

Orange, CA · On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

Participate as a member of the MFT Practicum Committee (MPC) to address student clinical training and remediation issues. * Oversee risk management issues and link with appropriate University ...

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Mft Practicum information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$49.6K

$88.7K

$166.9K

How much do mft practicum jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for mft practicum in Riverside, CA is $88,684.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,200.00 and $102,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an MFT practicum?

An MFT practicum is a supervised clinical training experience that is a required component of a Master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). During the practicum, students work directly with clients in real-world settings, such as clinics or counseling centers, under the supervision of licensed professionals. This hands-on experience allows students to apply theoretical knowledge, develop clinical skills, and gain confidence in working with individuals, couples, and families. The practicum is essential for fulfilling graduation and licensure requirements in many states.

What types of clinical experiences can I expect during an MFT practicum, and how do these prepare me for a career in marriage and family therapy?

During an MFT Practicum, you can expect hands-on clinical training that typically involves conducting therapy sessions with individuals, couples, and families under the supervision of licensed therapists. You'll gain experience in assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and case management, as well as exposure to diverse client populations and presenting problems. These experiences are designed to build your competence and confidence as a therapist, while also helping you develop professional skills such as ethical decision-making and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Practicum placements often emphasize reflective practice and receiving regular feedback, which are essential for your growth as a future MFT.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an MFT practicum student, and why are they important?

To thrive as an MFT Practicum student, you need foundational knowledge in marriage and family therapy theories, basic counseling skills, and enrollment in a graduate MFT program. Familiarity with clinical documentation systems, case management tools, and supervision protocols is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and self-awareness are crucial soft skills for building trust with clients and engaging in effective supervision. These competencies ensure ethical, client-centered care and foster growth as a competent future therapist.

What is the difference between Mft Practicum vs Marriage and Family Therapist?

AspectMft PracticumMarriage and Family Therapist
CredentialsSupervised clinical hours, courseworkLicensed with state certification, clinical hours completed
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, clinics, agenciesPrivate practice, clinics, hospitals
Industry UsageTraining phase, pre-licensureLicensed professional providing therapy

The Mft Practicum is a supervised training period required before becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. It involves gaining clinical experience under supervision, whereas a Marriage and Family Therapist is a licensed professional providing therapy services. The practicum is a stepping stone towards licensure, which allows independent practice.

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Mft Practicum jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Mft Practicum job openings:

Infographic showing various Mft Practicum job openings in Riverside, CA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,684 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Clinic Director

Orange, CA • On-site

Chapman University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

$95K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Oversee and manage daily operations of the Frances Smith Center, including client intake review, client referrals, and ensuring compliance with clinical practice guidelines.

  • Represent the Center at community meetings, develop marketing tools, and handle communication with referral sources and community partners.

  • Provide clinical oversight for MFT students, including reviewing client files, supervising students, and ensuring adherence to legal, ethical, and accreditation standards.


Chapman University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Serve as a bridge and liaison between the Frances Smith Center and the MFT Department. Direct and oversee operations of the Frances Smith Center for Individual and Family Therapy. Duties include the management, oversight, and direct administration of daily Center operations including oversight of the Center budget and procedures. Monitor student-client hours related to graduation, and work with program clinical supervisors to ensure the quality of services that are being provided by the students to clients in the community. Represent the Center at various community meetings and organizations for referrals, including marketing of the Center‘s services on-campus and to the local community, as well as develop and revise marketing tools as needed. Collaborate with the MFT Department Chair to ensure continuity of didactic training within the MFT Program. Develop and conduct Center orientation for new students. 
Provide general clinical oversight for all MFT students in the Center, including being available for clinical emergencies and crisis intervention (this may include some evenings/weekends). Follow all statutes and regulations from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and accreditation standards from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage & Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The Director will conduct a clinical review of all client files, develop and update Center policies and procedures, legal forms, and documents related to practicum training, organize and participate in MFT Department related activities, participate on Clinical Advancement Exam committees and the MFT Practicum Committee (MPC). Co-supervise the graduate student worker and provide general clinical oversight for all MFT students in the Center (avg. 20-30 students per semester).


Responsibilities

Clinic Operations/Administration

  • Daily operations of the Frances Smith Center for Individual and Family Therapy (FSC)
  • Review new client intakes prior to assignment to ensure they meet MFT scope of practice and competence for a first-year MFT Trainee.
  • Provide referrals when referring our clients to community partners that do not meet the MFT scope of practice and competence for a first-year MFT Trainee.
  • Ensure all client files meet best clinical practice guidelines.
  • Represent the Center at various community meetings and organizations for referrals.
  • Prepare and/or review written reports and correspondence prior to their release. (e.g. client letters/reports, letters to referral sources, etc.)
  • Respond to all Center client concerns and complaints.
  • Establish and revise Center policies and procedures and in-house forms consistent with standards of practice and legal/ethical guidelines for the field of Marriage & Family Therapy.
  • Responsible for the oversight of Center budget and expenses.
  • Participate in developing the agenda and co-leading the monthly program clinical supervisor meeting with the Director of Clinical Training.
  • Review each clinic student’s performance with program clinical supervisors and consult with them and the Director of Clinical Training regarding any remedial actions needed to ensure performance meets MFT Department, University, BBS and COAMFTE guidelines.
  • Participate as a member of the MFT Practicum Committee (MPC) to address student clinical training and remediation issues.
  • Oversee risk management issues and link with appropriate University resources.
  • Collaborate with the MFT Department Chair to review the annual risk management insurance renewal documents.
  • Respond to all request for records from Chapman Legal Affairs and Center clients as the Custodian of Records.
  • Work collaboratively with the MFT Department Chair to interview new clinical supervisor candidates.
  • Train new program clinical supervisor candidates on clinic policies and procedures.
  • Collaborate with the MFT Department Chair to coordinate the Advanced Clinical Training offered each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer).
  • Work collaboratively with the MFT Administrative Assistant in allocating expenses and monitoring daily activities to ensure the clinic is within budget each fiscal year.
  • Work collaboratively with the MFT Administrative Assistant to maintain the Center’s account with the electronic health record – Clinic Note.
  • Work collaboratively with the MFT Administrative Assistant to collect and tabulate data required for the Communities of Interest Meetings and COAMFTE reaccreditation efforts.
  • Attend monthly MFT operations meeting, monthly MFT Student Leadership meeting, bimonthly MFT Alumni Advisory Board meeting, biannual Communities of Interest Meeting and MFT Department events.


Clinical Training

  • Assist the MFT Department Chair and MFT Director of Clinical Training in oversight of clinical experience courses (MFT 694 and/or 696).
  • Assign MFT students to Individual/Group Supervision and Practicum Collaboration experiences. 
  • Ensure compliance with BBS regulations and COAMFTE standards regarding clinical training and advise MFT Department Chair as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with the MFT Department Chair to ensure continuity between didactic clinical training within the MFT Program.
  • Co-supervise the MFT Graduate Student Worker and provide general clinical oversight of the Center’s MFT trainees during their one-year practicum experience.
  • Respond to all clinical questions and concerns in a timely manner (48hour responses for all non-emergency issues).
  • Provide general clinical oversight to MFT Trainees and be available for Center emergencies (which may include some evenings/weekends).
  • Maintain knowledge of current BBS laws and regulations as they pertain to the MFT license.
  • Maintain knowledge of COAMFTE accreditation standards as they pertain to the clinical training of MFT students.
  • Review, monitor, and trouble-shoot with program clinical supervisors regarding student-client contact hours related to graduation.
  • Participate on all Clinical Advancement Exam committees to evaluate student readiness and competence to begin Center practicum.
  • Conduct Center orientation for all MFT students entering the Center for their one-year practicum (Fall and Spring semesters).
  • Participate as a member of the MFT Practicum Committee (MPC) for any student training and remediation needs.
  • Maintain annual membership in professional organizations (CAMFT and AAMFT).
  • Consult with both professional organizations as needed on any legal/ethical and/or clinical practice issues that may emerge.


Chapman University and Community Outreach

  • Liaison between Center and other departments within Crean College and on-campus university offices.
  • Liaison between Center and outside agencies and build relationships with referral sources in the local community.
  • Attend the bimonthly Orange County MFT Consortium Meeting.
  • Represent the Center at community mental health events.
  • Coordinate within the MFT Department Chair, Crean Development Coordinator and University Relations in the pursuit of outside funding sources via grants and donations from community members, organizations and MFT alumni.
  • Develop marketing tools, including brochures, website updates, and flyers, to disseminate to the community.


Required Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy or related field such as psychology, counseling, or human development; California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 2 years post-license, 15 hours supervision training (in accordance with California BBS supervision regulations in order to provide general clinical oversight in California. Note: This position will not have a direct clinical supervisor role.)
  • Ability to exercise independent thinking and judgment with respect to clinical and crisis issues.
  • Knowledge of current BBS regulations and ability to translate state laws and regulations into Center policies and procedures. Knowledge of COAMFTE accreditation standards as they pertain to MFT student clinical training.
  • Working knowledge and experience in the application and interpretation of legal and ethical regulations pertaining to the practice of marriage and family therapy.
  • Strong verbal communication skills with proven ability to share procedural information in a clear, accurate and concise manner; experience with public speaking and presentations.
  • Proven ability to prepare clear, concise and grammatically correct documents, reports and correspondence.
  • Proven ability to analyze data and propose solutions to problems utilizing critical thinking skills necessary for analysis and program project management. 
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively as a team member within the MFT department, college staff, campus offices and university administration.
  • Computer skills including use of Microsoft office and Adobe.
  • Ability to provide general clinical oversight and train MFT Trainees, including development of training workshops.
  • Strong organizational and administrative skills.
  • Strong commitment to student and client service.
  • Active participation in the MFT professional community with the ability to network.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, clients, college staff, university offices and members of the community.

Company Description

Chapman University is a nationally ranked institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. The university achieved R2 status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction held by just 10 percent of all U.S. universities.

Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status or sexual orientation in the administration of its education policies or any other policies or programs administered by the university.


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