Lead Clinical Therapist

Peregrine Team is hiring a Lead Clinical Therapist in Santa Ana, CA. This is a full-time, contract-to-hire opportunity offering full benefits and competitive pay.

About the Role

Onsite | $80-100k salary DOE

Peregrine Team is seeking a licensed clinician who can serve as a key leader within a behavioral health setting, supporting both clinical operations and direct patient care. This individual will act as a right hand to the Clinical Director, balancing a small caseload with administrative, team support, and program responsibilities. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment and bring strong clinical judgment, initiative, and a collaborative mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct clinical services to a small caseload (approximately 5–10 clients), including individual and group therapy across PHP, IOP, outpatient, and sober living levels of care
• Support the Clinical Director in overseeing daily clinical operations and ensuring high-quality, client centered care
• Lead and participate in treatment team meetings, offering clinical insight and guidance to therapists and case managers
• Assist in managing clinical escalations, including supporting staff with challenging client situations and crisis scenarios
• Collaborate with clinicians to ensure appropriate documentation and alignment with insurance and billing requirements
• Help balance clinical needs with business objectives, including supporting strategies for continued care and successful insurance reviews
• Provide mentorship and guidance to clinical staff, fostering a supportive and collaborative team environment
• Assist with administrative responsibilities, including documentation review, workflow support, and operational coordination
• Maintain compliance with regulatory, licensing, and ethical standards
• Participate in on-call support as needed for urgent client situations outside of standard business hours

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted licensure required (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or equivalent)
• 3 years of clinical experience in behavioral health, mental health, or substance use treatment
• Experience working with high-acuity populations (PHP, IOP, residential, or dual diagnosis preferred)
• Strong clinical judgment with the ability to act independently in crisis situations
• Demonstrated ability to support or lead other clinicians in a team-based environment
• Experience with clinical documentation and insurance/billing alignment preferred
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance clinical responsibilities with administrative and operational tasks

Email your resume to apply@PeregrineTeam.com ASAP or apply here for consideration.