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Trainee Therapist Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Mental Health Therapist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Provide consultation to therapists on the treatment team, including licensed therapists and trainees; assist with program development What You'll Have * Active Licensed Psychologist, LMSW, AMFT, or ...

Mental Health Therapist

Orange, CA · On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Provide consultation to therapists on the treatment team, including licensed therapists and trainees; assist with program development What You'll Have * Active Licensed Psychologist, LMSW, AMFT, or ...

Provide consultation to therapists on the treatment team, including licensed therapists and trainees; assist with program development What You'll Have * Active Licensed Psychologist, LMSW, AMFT, or ...

Provide consultation to therapists on the treatment team, including licensed therapists and trainees; assist with program development What You'll Have * Active Licensed Psychologist, LMSW, AMFT, or ...

Mental Health Therapist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Provide consultation to therapists on the treatment team, including licensed therapists and trainees; assist with program development What You'll Have * Active Licensed Psychologist, LMSW, AMFT, or ...

Mental Health Therapist

Orange, CA

$75K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Provide consultation to therapists on the treatment team, including licensed therapists and trainees; assist with program development What You'll Have * Active Licensed Psychologist, LMSW, AMFT, or ...

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Trainee Therapist information

What are some typical challenges faced by trainee therapists during their initial clinical placements?

Trainee therapists often encounter challenges such as managing performance anxiety, balancing academic requirements with client work, and adapting to different supervision styles. Navigating confidential client issues, building therapeutic rapport, and receiving constructive feedback can be demanding as well. However, a supportive placement environment and open communication with supervisors can help build confidence and clinical skills over time.

What is the difference between Trainee Therapist vs Associate Therapist?

AspectTrainee TherapistAssociate Therapist
QualificationsTypically in training, may have relevant coursework or partial certificationUsually holds necessary certifications or licenses, nearing full qualification
Work EnvironmentSupervised clinical settings, training programs, internshipsIndependent or supervised client sessions, clinical practice
Job RoleLearning and assisting, observing therapy sessionsConducting therapy under supervision, gaining experience

The main difference is that a Trainee Therapist is still in training and gaining experience, often working under supervision, while an Associate Therapist has completed most qualifications and is practicing more independently. Both roles are essential steps in becoming a fully qualified therapist, with the Trainee Therapist focusing on learning and development, and the Associate Therapist applying skills in real-world settings.

What is a trainee therapist?

Trainee therapists are individuals who are in the process of completing their education and practical training to become qualified therapists. They typically work under the supervision of experienced professionals while gaining hands-on experience with clients. Trainee therapists may be pursuing degrees or certifications in counseling, psychotherapy, or related fields, and are required to complete supervised clinical hours as part of their training. Their role involves learning therapeutic techniques, adhering to ethical guidelines, and developing their professional skills in a real-world setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trainee therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Trainee Therapist, you typically need a foundational degree in psychology or a related field, strong understanding of therapeutic principles, and enrollment in a recognized training program. Familiarity with case management systems, psychological assessment tools, and relevant accreditation or registration is often required. Excellent listening skills, empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to build rapport set outstanding trainees apart. These competencies are crucial for delivering effective therapy, ensuring ethical practice, and fostering client trust and progress.

What are the most commonly searched types of Therapist jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Therapist jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Trainee Therapist jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Trainee Therapist jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Trainee Therapist jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Trainee Therapist job openings:

Infographic showing various Trainee Therapist job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Pre-Licensed Clinical Therapist Trainee

San Bernardino County

San Bernardino, CA

$60K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 hours ago


San Bernardino County rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 78 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

484th of 845 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

The Job Are you a soon to be, or recent Master's graduate looking to be an agent of change and make a difference in delivering health and wellness to millions of residents. Join a team who is passionate about the services they provide and is committed to making a difference throughout San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) invites qualified professionals to apply for the position of Pre-Licensed Clinical Therapist Trainee*.

Pre-Licensed Clinical Therapist Trainees (Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Social Work, and Professional Clinical Counselor) work in a variety of programs providing rehabilitative mental health/substance abuse services in community mental health clinics, field and institutional settings to children, adolescents, families, and older adults with severe mental or emotional disorders. Pre-Licensed Clinical Therapist Trainees may obtain supervised clinical experience. Applicants willing to work in forensics, criminal justice, or after-hours positions are encouraged to apply, as well as those seeking traditional schedules.

*Official Title: Clinical Therapist Pre-License - Trainee For additional details, please refer to the Clinical Therapist Pre-License - Trainee job description. DBH is also accepting applications for Pre-Licensed Clinical Therapist, Licensed Clinical Therapist I, and Licensed Clinical Therapist II. Please click on a job title to be redirected to the corresponding application.

Each position requires its own application. Hear from current therapists about their experiences within the County below. The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is responsible for providing mental health and substance use disorder services to county residents who are experiencing major mental illness or substance abuse related issues.

DBH provides mental health and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services to all age groups, with a primary emphasis on treating children/youth who may be seriously emotionally disturbed, adults who are experiencing a serious and persistent mental illness, and individuals who are experiencing substance use disorders. DBH also provides an array of outreach/engagement, prevention, and early intervention services. DBH's core values are service, integrity, accountability, and trust.

DBH is a unique County Department comprised of eight (8) direct service areas: Community Outpatient and Transitional Age Youth Services; Youth Collaborative and Justice Involved Services; Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Services; 24 Hour and Specialty Services; Adult Justice Involved and Diversion Services; Medical Services; Community Engagement and Equity Services; Office of Patients' Rights and five (5) indirect service areas: Administrative and Fiscal Services; Public Relations and Outreach Services; Program Support Services; Disaster and Safety Unit; and the Office of Compliance. The Department currently has a workforce in excess of 1500 positions and an approximate $800 million-dollar annual budget. Follow this link to learn more about the Department of Behavioral Health Follow this link to learn more about San Bernardino County The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur throughout the Department.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS. To review job-specific benefits, please refer to: Summary of Benefits Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Pre-Employment Process: Prior to appointment, applicants must pass a background investigation, which includes fingerprinting and medical exam, which may include drug and/or TB testing. Applicants must be a U.S

Citizen or a permanent U.S. resident. Travel: Travel throughout the County may be required depending on assignment

Employees will be required to make provision for transportation. Shifts: Some programs offer 24-hour services; some assignments may require employees to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call. Sponsorship: Please note San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Pre-Licensed Clinical Therapist Trainees must become registered with the BBS within twelve (12) months of employment or may be terminated. Upon obtaining registration, employees may be promoted to Pre-Licensed Clinical Therapist ($5,959.20 - $7,605.87 monthly). Minimum Requirements Education: Applicants must possess one (1) of the following Pre-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Trainees: Must have received, or be within three (3) months of receiving, a Master's degree in Marriage Family Therapy

Pre-Licensed Master's of Social Work Trainees: Must have received, or be within three (3) months of receiving, a Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited institution. Pre-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Trainee: Must have received, or be within three (3) months of receiving, a Master's degree that is at least 48 semester (60 quarter) units in a counseling or psychotherapy field of study. Desired Qualifications Applicants fluent in American Sign Language, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, and/or Vietnamese are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional compensation is associated with positions requiring the use of bilingual skills. Testing of bilingual skills may be required to receive additional compensation. Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable, however, not required: Government or private inpatient, psychiatric hospital or behavioral health clinics/programs/contract agencies, serving persistently mentally ill clients.

Experience providing child/adolescent and family therapy. Experience in a crisis intervention/brief therapy setting with severely mentally ill adults/children. Experience in quality assurance or utilization review activities.

Experience with intensive care coordination with physical health care providers for severely persistently mentally ill clients. Experience with case management for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Experience with coordinating care for individuals with co-occurring substance disorders.

Experience in transitional care coordination between inpatient and outpatient levels of care for medical complexity or severely persistently mentally ill adults and children. Experience working with detained youth and incarcerated adults in correctional settings, such as institutions/locked detention facilities or with probationers/offenders recently released from a correctional setting. Selection Process Application Procedure: There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire.

You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department. Please ensure all relevant experience is indicated in the Application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, as resumes and other attachments will not be reviewed for the competitive evaluation. Completing your application with statements such as "see/refer to resume" or "see attached" rather than completing your work history may affect your eligibility or competitive evaluation score.

Be sure to clearly describe your experience in meeting the minimum requirements. Technical Assistance: If you require technical assistance, follow this link to review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of the recruitment filing deadline. Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points.

For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Policy. For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process.


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