Associate Therapist (1+ Yr EXP PREF.)

Terra Behavioral Health

About Terra

Terra Behavioral Health is building something different — a modern behavioral health platform grounded in integrity, human connection, and operational excellence. We’re clinician-led and founder-driven, combining deep clinical roots with disciplined, scalable systems that honor both people and performance.

We are in a period of purposeful expansion, designing programs that are safe, clinically excellent, and built to scale. Every role here shapes the foundation of who we become.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an associate therapist who is committed to both clinical craft and human connection — someone who believes that excellent care is built through structure, compassion, and the steady presence of a skilled clinician. As the Lead Therapist, you will provide direct clinical services to outpatient clients with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs. You’ll deliver evidence-based treatment, coordinate care with interdisciplinary partners, and uphold the clinical excellence that defines Terra.

This is a hands-on role in a growing organization — ideal for a clinician who wants to shape a high-quality client experience from the ground up. We believe excellent care comes from clinicians who feel valued and supported. You’ll be part of a team where psychological safety, collaboration, and development are key organizational philosophies.

What You’ll Do

At Terra, clinicians aren’t just providers — they are architects of the client experience and culture. Your voice, perspective, and craft will help shape a new standard of excellence in residential care.

Direct Clinical Care

• Provide grounded and transformative therapeutic experiences that help clients rebuild agency, resilience, and hope.
• Guide clients through biopsychosocial assessments, crisis and risk assessments, treatment and care coordination plans with clarity, expertise and compassion.
• Maintain a therapeutic caseload and support clients through all phases of treatment.

Care Coordination & Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, rich clinical consult spaces, and a team that solves problems together.
• Collaborate closely with Medical, Technicians, Nursing, Case Management, and Operations to ensure integrated care, safety and outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with families, referral sources, and external partners when appropriate.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain high standards of documentation and clinical integrity that meets DHCS, Joint Commission, and organizational standards.
• Ensure timely, accurate progress notes, treatment plans, discharge summaries, and incident reporting.
• Maintain compliance with scope of practice, ethical guidelines, and confidentiality requirements.

Milieu & Safety Support

• Help maintain a safe, structured, trauma-informed treatment environment where clients and staff feel safe, supported, and grounded.
• Respond to crises with skill and steadiness, supporting de-escalation and safety planning.

Program Contribution & Culture

• Model Terra’s values and contribute to a culture of accountability, integrity, and compassion.
• Engage in ongoing training, supervision, and professional development.
• Contribute ideas, observations, and feedback that help Terra continuously elevate client care — your voice matters here.

What You Bring

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, marriage & family therapy, psychology, or related field.
• Active California clinical license (Psychologist, AMFT, ACSW, APCC).
• Experience working in residential, inpatient, or structured mental health and substance use treatment settings (preferred).
• Competence in evidence-based modalities such as MI, CBT, DBT, or trauma-informed care.
• Strong documentation skills and familiarity with regulatory environments.
• Ability to remain grounded, collaborative, and client-centered in fast-paced or emergent situations.
• Values that align with Terra: integrity, transparency, humility, accountability, and heart.

How we work at Terra

• We move with urgency, clarity, and intention.
• We lead with truth — even when it’s uncomfortable.
• We honor clinicians and protect clinical integrity.
• We operate with accountability and follow-through.
• We build systems that are agile, disciplined, and built to scale.
• We choose high performance AND humanity.
• We solve problems together — no egos, no silos.

Ideal Candidate:

Associate Mental Health Therapist - Associate Mental Professional - Associate Mental Counselor - Associate Master Social Worker - AMSW - Associate Clinical Social Worker - ACSW - Associate Professional Counselor - APC - Associate Marriage and Family Therapist - AMFT - Psychology - Associate Psychologist

Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you open to a rotating on-call shift, once a month?

Experience:

• PHP/IOP: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• AMFT, ACSW, APC, Associate Psychologist (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Temecula, CA 92590 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $75,000