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Psychoanalysis Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Psychoanalysis information

See California salary details

$67.6K

$256.1K

$393.8K

How much do psychoanalysis jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for psychoanalysis in California is $256,099.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $209,200.00 and $312,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What qualifications do I need to be a psychoanalyst?

To become a psychoanalyst, one typically needs a doctoral degree in psychology, psychiatry, or social work, followed by specialized training in psychoanalysis which includes supervised clinical practice and certification from a recognized psychoanalytic institute. Licensing requirements vary by region but generally include completing a graduate program, supervised hours, and passing licensing exams. Strong interpersonal skills and knowledge of mental health theories are essential for success in this field.

Do psychoanalysts make good money?

Psychoanalysts typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, location, and work setting. Private practice and specialized training can lead to higher earnings, while those working in hospitals or clinics may earn less. Licensing and advanced degrees are required for practice, which can influence earning potential.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a psychoanalyst?

A psychoanalyst usually spends most of their day conducting one-on-one sessions with patients, employing talk therapy to explore unconscious thoughts and feelings. Daily tasks may also include maintaining thorough case notes, reflecting on session content, and sometimes meeting with supervisors or peer groups for case consultation. Psychoanalysts often collaborate with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists and social workers, to coordinate comprehensive care for their clients. The role requires ongoing professional development, as continued education and self-reflection are key aspects of maintaining effectiveness and ethical standards in psychoanalytic practice.

What is psychoanalysis?

A psychoanalysis job involves providing in-depth psychotherapy based on Freudian theory and related approaches. Psychoanalysts help clients explore unconscious thoughts, emotions, and past experiences to address deep-seated psychological issues. This process typically involves multiple sessions per week over an extended period. Psychoanalysts are often trained as psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers with additional specialized training in psychoanalytic techniques. Their goal is to help clients achieve greater self-awareness and emotional growth.

How hard is it to become a psychoanalyst?

Becoming a psychoanalyst typically requires completing a graduate degree in psychology, psychiatry, or social work, followed by specialized training in psychoanalysis which can take several years. Candidates often need to undergo supervised clinical practice and obtain certification or licensing, making the process lengthy and demanding.

Are psychoanalysts in demand?

Psychoanalysts are in steady demand in mental health care, especially in clinical settings, hospitals, and private practice. Employment growth is influenced by increased awareness of mental health issues and the need for specialized therapy, though the field can be competitive and requires advanced training and certification.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the psychoanalysis position, and why are they important?

To thrive in psychoanalysis, you typically need a doctoral degree (such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D.), specialized psychoanalytic training, and relevant clinical experience. Familiarity with psychodynamic assessment tools, case documentation systems, and psychoanalytic techniques is essential, as is state licensure or certification by a recognized psychoanalytic institute. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, active listening, and keen self-awareness are vital soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for understanding clients’ unconscious processes, building therapeutic relationships, and facilitating meaningful psychological change.

What are the most commonly searched types of Psychoanalysis jobs in California? The most popular types of Psychoanalysis jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Psychoanalysis job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $256,099 per year, or $123.1 per hour.

Mental Health Clinical Supervisor (Contract)

Lyon-Martin Community Health Services

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Request for Proposals: Mental Health Clinical Supervisor

Organization: Lyon-Martin Community Health Services

Introduction:

The mission of Lyon-Martin Community Health Services is to provide high quality, compassionate and trauma-informed medical, gynecological, and mental health care services targeting trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) communities and cis-gender women with specific sensitivity to LGBQA+ sexual orientation, disability, size, race, ethnicity, and language regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.

Lyon-Martin aims to eliminate health inequities for our communities by rooting our clinical practice in core foundational frameworks of intersectionality, anti-racism, reproductive and disability justice, self-determination, and harm reduction. As a community clinic, we believe our communities are best served by us and for us; that’s why community engagement and leadership development are central to our mission of community care and mutual aid. Finally, we are committed to increasing access to culturally responsive care for queer, trans, and intersex (QTI) people beyond our walls through provider training and education and addressing systemic barriers to equity through policy advocacy.

Though Lyon-Martin has been in continuous existence since 1979, Lyon-Martin merged with a larger non-profit, HealthRIGHT 360, in 2015 and then subsequently separated as an independent entity in March 2022. So, as it exists today, from a financial and legal perspective, the entity is only 3 years old.

Scope of Work:

The selected clinician will be responsible for providing clinical supervision services for our diverse team of therapists, some of whom are fully licensed and some who are still working towards their full licensure, utilizing gender-affirming, trauma-informed, and harm reduction methodologies.

The scope of work includes but is not limited to:

  • Supervising therapists and interns
  • Enhancing team-based care in the provision of mental health services
  • Supporting policy development and implementation to address identified clinic needs
  • Support with crisis triage and clinical coverage during clinician leave periods is ideal

Supervisor Qualifications:

Supervisors must be licensed for at least two years, hold a license in good standing (not on probation or suspended), and have experience in psychotherapy or supervision. They must also be licensed as an LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC to supervise the respective associate-level licenses.

Preferred Interests:

  • Familiar with and actively uses Liberation psychology
  • Black Psychology
  • Cross cultural psychology
  • Indigenous and Ethnopolitical psychology
  • Psychodynamic frameworks

Modalities and Specialties:

  • Somatics
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Internal Family System (IFS)
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
  • Trauma and Trauma Informed Care
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism (ASD)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
  • Psychosis symptoms
  • Psychoanalysis

Proposal Requirements:

  • Provider profile and relevant experience
  • Proposed approach and modalities used for clinical supervision
  • Proposed fees, including a breakdown of costs and any additional expenses
  • References from at least three clinics, hospitals, or practices
  • Any additional information deemed relevant

Budget:

Please submit a budget with your proposal.

Submission Instructions:

  • Please submit your proposal electronically via ADP.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Qualification and experience of the clinician
  • Proposed approach and modalities
  • References

Confidentiality:

All information provided in response to this RFP will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluating proposals.

Submission Instructions:

  • Please upload your proposal electronically via ADP.