Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.
MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.
MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.
MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek.
MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.
Senior Director of Clinical Training
LCSW/LMFT/PsyD/PhD/Psychologist
35 hours per week / $95,000 - $130,000 annualized
(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience, licensure, and other factors permitted by law.)
Summary: The Senior Director of Clinical Training strengthens MHALA’s training and clinical infrastructure across North and South County, ensuring clinical and non-clinical staff receive consistent, high-quality training, supervision structures, and professional development. Working in close partnership with the VP of Training and Education, the executive team, and Human Resources, including on matters of licensing, this role develops and sustains the internal systems that help staff grow in competence and confidence, with the long-term vision of building a training site that other organizations look to as a model.
This internally focused clinical leadership role serves three primary audiences: clinical staff, non-clinical staff, and trainees. This role translates evidence-based practice, regulatory and ethical requirements, and MHALA’s recovery-oriented values into practical training and supervision infrastructure, establishing shared standards, core competencies, and ethical expectations across roles, including clear guidance on professional boundaries, scope of work, and where one role begins and another ends.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider. The agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).
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Clinical training infrastructure. Design, deliver, and continuously improve internal clinical training across North and South County, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practice, contract requirements, and MHALA’s model of care.
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Standards, competencies, and ethics. Establish and maintain shared standards, core competencies, and ethical practices across the workforce, ensuring evidence-based clinical models and regulatory and ethical requirements are consistently met for both clinical and non-clinical staff.
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Quality and standards. Help establish and monitor standards for training quality, gathering feedback and outcome data to guide ongoing refinement.
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Clinical supervision support. Partner with clinical leadership to strengthen supervision structures, support supervisors in their development, and promote consistency and quality in clinical oversight across regions and programs.
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Non-clinical staff training. Develop and deliver trainings and programs that support non-clinical staff, including onboarding, professional boundaries, scope of work, and role clarity — helping staff understand where one role begins and another ends across the agency.
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Curriculum and competency development. Develop curricula, competency frameworks, and onboarding pathways for licensed and pre-licensure clinicians and non-clinical staff, keeping content current with best practice and regulatory standards.
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Intern and trainee program. Support the Senior Director of Clinical Supervision in the intern and trainee program by contributing training content, competency structures, and professional development pathways.
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Professional development. Identify workforce learning needs and build responsive professional development offerings that support retention, growth, and excellence.
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Cross-functional collaboration. Coordinate closely with the VP of Training and Education, the executive team, Human Resources, clinical leadership, and program directors to ensure training is integrated with broader organizational and workforce development efforts.
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Model and mentorship. Serve as a clinical role model and mentor, reinforcing MHALA’s recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach throughout training and supervision.
Required Qualifications:
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Active California clinical license (LCSW, LMFT, or licensed PsyD/PhD) in good standing.
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Minimum of five (5) years of progressive clinical experience, with at least three (3) years in clinical training, curriculum design, or clinical leadership.
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Demonstrated experience designing and delivering training to licensed and/or pre-licensure clinicians.
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Working knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical documentation, quality, and regulatory standards in community mental health.
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Strong facilitation, written communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across regions, programs, and roles.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Doctoral training in clinical psychology or a related field (PsyD/PhD, completed or in progress).
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Experience as an approved clinical supervisor for associate/pre-licensure clinicians.
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Experience supporting an intern or trainee program in a community mental health setting.
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Experience developing training for non-clinical as well as clinical staff.
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Familiarity with LA County DMH funding, contract requirements, and community behavioral health service models.
Additional Conditions of Employment:
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Possession of a current Class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, and the ability to be insured by MHALA liability insurance
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Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends
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TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of employment
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COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
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Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period
