Associate Therapist (AMFT, APCC, ACSW)
Build the Career You Envisioned When You Chose Mental Health
You didn't become a therapist simply to collect hours—you chose this profession because you wanted to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
You envisioned building strong therapeutic relationships, helping people heal, and becoming the kind of clinician who changes lives.
At Central Valley Family Therapy (CVFT), we believe your associate years should be the strongest foundation of your career, not simply a stepping stone to licensure.
Our practice was founded by a clinician who understood firsthand how difficult it can be to find quality supervision, meaningful mentorship, financial stability, and a workplace that genuinely invests in developing exceptional therapists. Because of that experience, we've intentionally created an environment and a clinical training program where associates receive the support, structure, and training they deserve while building confidence as clinicians.
If you're looking for more than just a place to accrue hours—if you're looking for a team that believes in you, challenges you to grow, celebrates your successes, and genuinely cares about your future—we would love to meet you.
More Than Supervision—Real Mentorship
Beginning your clinical career is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Every therapist remembers questioning themselves after sessions, wondering if they said the right thing, hoping they were truly helping their clients, and experiencing moments of imposter syndrome.
At CVFT, you're never expected to navigate that journey alone.
We understand that every great therapist starts somewhere. Our commitment is to meet you where you are, provide thoughtful guidance, answer your questions, celebrate your progress, and help you steadily build the confidence, competence, and clinical judgment that every exceptional therapist develops over time.
Our supervisors are accessible, invested, and genuinely want to see you succeed.
We believe in nurturing potential while maintaining high standards because our investment in you ultimately becomes an investment in every patient we serve. You'll receive consistent supervision, individualized coaching, meaningful feedback, ongoing consultation, and opportunities to continue developing long after orientation ends.
A Team You'll Look Forward to Working With
The people you work alongside matter just as much as the work you do.
Therapy is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding. That's why we've intentionally built a culture where clinicians genuinely support one another, celebrate each other's successes, collaborate freely, and know they never have to carry difficult cases alone.
Our office is warm, welcoming, and highly collaborative. Whether we're celebrating someone passing the licensing exam, helping brainstorm a difficult case, sharing resources, or simply checking in after a challenging session, you'll be surrounded by teammates who truly want to see you succeed.
We believe professionalism and positivity go hand in hand.
We value clinicians who bring kindness, humility, resilience, curiosity, and accountability into the workplace. We appreciate team members who communicate openly, enjoy collaborating with others, take initiative, and contribute to a positive culture where everyone continues learning together.
We work hard.
We laugh often.
We celebrate milestones.
We support one another through difficult moments.
Because that's the kind of workplace we believe every therapist deserves.
Leadership That Invests in You
One of the things we're most proud of at CVFT is our leadership team. Our supervisors don't simply sign hours—they intentionally develop clinicians. Here's what our associates have shared about their experience:
Dr. Melissa Tihin, Psy.D., LMFT, PMH-C
"Dr. Tihin leads with empathy, accountability, and a true growth mindset. Her guidance helped me grow clinically and overcome imposter syndrome. She challenges you while making you feel supported and capable."
Ashtin Quinonez, LMFT
"Ashtin sees potential in others and genuinely wants you to succeed. She supports you through challenges with patience, encouragement, and perspective."
Courtney Flores, LMFT
"Courtney is kind, patient, and deeply knowledgeable. She supports and challenges clinicians to become more confident for their clients."
Jonathan Woodard, LMFT
"So much of my growth at CVFT has come from the steady support and thoughtful supervision I've received from Jonathan. He is kind, patient, and full of so much knowledge and he welcomed all of my questions and supported me in learning how to manage my imposter syndrome ."
Juliana Ball, LPCC
"Juliana balances accountability and compassion beautifully. Her supervision is grounding, empowering, and genuinely helps you grow."
This is the level of mentorship and leadership you'll experience throughout your time at CVFT.
The Clinical Experience You'll Gain
As an Associate Therapist at CVFT, you'll provide high-quality, evidence-based mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families throughout Kern County. You'll work with both Medi-Cal and commercially insured patients while receiving exceptional supervision and ongoing mentorship from experienced licensed clinicians.
You'll gain experience treating:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety and depression
- Relationship and marital concerns
- Parenting challenges
- Perinatal mental health
- Behavioral concerns in children and adolescents
- Crisis intervention and safety planning
- High-acuity and complex clinical presentations
This is meaningful clinical work that will strengthen your confidence, sharpen your clinical judgment, and prepare you for long-term success in private practice and beyond.
Your Responsibilities
As a valued member of our clinical team, you will:
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and diagnostic evaluations.
- Develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each client's needs.
- Provide individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy using evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed interventions, Solution-Focused Therapy, attachment-based approaches, trauma-informed care, and other clinically appropriate modalities.
- Monitor treatment progress, revise interventions as needed, and collaborate with clients to achieve meaningful therapeutic outcomes.
- Complete accurate, timely, and clinically sound documentation in accordance with organizational policies, payer requirements, HIPAA regulations, and ethical standards.
- Utilize DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria and ICD-10 coding appropriately.
- Maintain documentation within our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
- Conduct suicide risk assessments, crisis intervention, safety planning, and coordinate higher levels of care when clinically indicated.
- Collaborate with psychiatrists, physicians, schools, social service agencies, and other community providers to ensure coordinated patient care.
- Participate in weekly individual supervision, group consultation, clinical trainings, and ongoing professional development.
- Provide telehealth services when clinically appropriate.
- Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, cultural humility, and patient-centered care.
Ongoing Clinical Training
Exceptional therapists never stop learning.
At CVFT, learning is woven into everything we do.
You'll receive weekly supervision, weekly clinical trainings, case consultation, individualized coaching, and continuing education opportunities designed to strengthen your confidence and expand your clinical skill set.
Training opportunities include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- DBT-informed interventions
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed approaches
- Gottman Method principles for couples
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Crisis Intervention
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Clinical documentation and treatment planning
- Ethical decision-making
- Diagnostic conceptualization
Our goal isn't simply to help you become licensed. Our goal is to help you become the therapist you've always hoped to be.
What Success Looks Like During Your First Year
We don't expect perfection, we value growth
During your first year, you'll receive the mentorship, training, and support needed to become a confident and competent clinician.
Success at CVFT means:
- Building a healthy, sustainable caseload.
- Developing confidence treating children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.
- Strengthening your diagnostic and case conceptualization skills.
- Becoming proficient in evidence-based treatment approaches.
- Improving your documentation and clinical efficiency.
- Learning to confidently manage crisis situations with appropriate support.
- Developing strong therapeutic relationships with your patients.
- Growing into a clinician who feels prepared, supported, and proud of the care you provide.
Who Thrives at CVFT?
Our strongest clinicians aren't necessarily the ones who know everything.
They're the ones who love learning.
They ask thoughtful questions.
They take initiative.
They value accountability.
They care deeply about their patients and teammates.
They're optimistic, resilient, compassionate, and committed to becoming better every day.
The clinicians who thrive here are:
- Positive and optimistic
- Warm and compassionate
- Professional and dependable
- Coachable and open to feedback
- Accountable and self-motivated
- Curious and eager to continue learning
- Team-oriented and collaborative
- Excellent communicators
- Organized and responsible
- Passionate about delivering exceptional patient care
- Looking for a long-term professional home
If this sounds like you, you'll fit right in.
QualificationsRequired
- Active California registration as an AMFT, APCC, or ACSW or pending application submission applicants will still be considered and interviewed but cannot start employment until their registration number has been issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
- Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, Social Work, or a related behavioral health field.
- Eligible to practice under California BBS regulations.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Commitment to ethical, compassionate, evidence-based clinical care.
- Ability to work full-time in our Bakersfield office.
Preferred
- Experience working with children, adolescents, couples, and families.
- Experience providing psychotherapy in community mental health, private practice, hospital, or integrated healthcare settings.
- Experience with crisis intervention and safety planning.
- Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) and clinical documentation standards.
- Interest in trauma treatment, perinatal mental health, couples therapy, or other specialty populations.
- Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation & Benefits
We believe every part of your workday contributes to excellent patient care.
That's why we offer one transparent hourly pay structure that values the full scope of your role—including direct client care, documentation, treatment planning, supervision, required meetings, training, collaboration, and other essential clinical responsibilities.
Benefits Include
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- 401(k)
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Weekly clinical trainings
- Monthly employee recognition and bonus opportunities
- Ongoing professional development
Join a Team That Believes in Your Potential
Many associates join CVFT because they're looking for quality supervision.
They stay because they find something even more valuable—a team that genuinely believes in them.
You'll be surrounded by leaders who invest in your growth, coworkers who celebrate your successes, and mentors who will encourage, challenge, and support you every step of the way.
We believe accountability and encouragement are not opposites—they're partners. Exceptional clinicians are developed through meaningful mentorship, honest feedback, continuous learning, and a workplace where people genuinely care about one another.
If you're looking for more than just a place to earn your hours—if you're looking for a place to build a career you'll be proud of—we invite you to apply today.
Come grow with Central Valley Family Therapy and make a lasting difference in the lives of others while building a career that inspires you every day.
Pay: $68,000.00 - $74,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- AMFT, APCC, or ACSW license or have you applied? (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
