Finding a Paid Job/Internship

A lot of internships are unpaid or pay only a small stipend but I have found some paid positions especially in the East Bay. I'm only listing positions here that marriage and family therapist interns are qualified for. I'm not sure if all the jobs give supervision hours but most of them do. Please leave a comment if you know more about these positions or if you know of other opportunities. I'll add more as I find them.

San Francisco

A Better Way, Inc.
Contact by sending an email to jobs@abetterwayinc.net
"A Better Way, Inc. offers a comprehensive approach to foster care, and adoptive and psychotherapeutic services for children and families. A Better Way serves almost 200 children and their families in seven bay area counties. We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We are currently seeking an EPSDT Therapeutic Visitation Clinician to join our team. Under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, the Therapeutic Visitation Program Clinician has the primary responsibility for providing clinical support to assigned children and parents in the San Francisco, Reunification Services Program, and the San Francisco outpatient mental health program."

Baker Places, Inc.
Baker Places, Inc. is a non-profit corporation providing an array of community based services to the residents of San Francisco with mental health, substance abuse and/or HIV/AIDS related issues. They generally have open positions for residential counselors but I believe they have well-paid internships at the post-masters level as well.

Edgewood Center for Children and Families - (San Francisco and San Carlos)
A large agency with lots of different of programs. You may not be able to get hours for the paid positions but they do have internships with stipends. They offer tuition reiumbursement and full medical, dental, and vision benefits if you work 20+ hrs/wk.
Review: I've worked here personally in both the residential and the community based programs. The residential work was very challenging and I burned out quickly but I know others who could do it for years. I transferred to a GREAT job (the PIP Program) working in elementary schools doing nondirective play with shy, withdrawn children with mild-moderate adjustment problems. PIP usually hires around Aug. and Dec. The only issue is that I could not get clinical hours for it because they don't consider it therapy. Still a great job especially for the pre-Masters level.

Jewish Family and Children Services - (San Francisco, Marin, Peninsula, and Sonoma Counties)
"Founded in 1850 by Gold Rush pioneers, JFCS is the oldest social service agency west of the Mississippi." They provide therapy focusing on individuals, children, families, seniors, and new immigrants.

Kaiser Permanente
Chemical Dependency Program
Wage: $10.30/hr for pre-Masters Trainees and $12.36/hr for post-Masters Interns
20 hrs/week from Sept. to Aug.

Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS)
RAMS, Inc. is a private, non-profit mental health agency that is committed to advocating for and providing community based, culturally-competent, and consumer-guided comprehensive services, with an emphasis on serving Asian, Pacific Islander, and Russian Americans. They are based in San Francisco's Richmond district. Although they have no job listings online they do frequently put job listings on craigslist for "behavior health consultants" doing short-term therapy, assessment, and case management work. They also have a doctoral internship and a clinical practicum program (I don't know about what they pay).
Salary: Behavior Health Consultant pays $40,000 to $45,000 DOE.

San Francisco Department of Public Health
SFDPH frequently needs mft interns for various positions in child crisis, juvenile justice, and foster care work. Check out the Professionals/Clinicians subcategory at the link above.
Salary: $65,000-$80,000/year for full-time and around $30/hour for part-time.

San Francisco Unified School District
SFUSD has several job openings for Master's level counselors from elementary school to High School. Do a search or an advanced search for certificated counselor positions.

Seneca Center - (San Francisco and East Bay)
Lots of different programs working with children and families especially those considered severely emotionally disturbed. They say they'll sit down with you and chart out how you'll get your hours and even help you study for the MFT licensing exam.
Salary: Generally around $40,000/year for a full-time position.

Sharper Future/Pacific Forensic Psychology Associates, Inc.
contact Mary-Perry Miller or Shana Burns at (415) 397-6622 (voice), (415)397-6666 (fax), or Email: mpmiller@sharperfuture.com or sburns@sharperfuture.com.
"These full time, 40-hour per week positions are responsible for providing both short-term and long-term therapeutic, recovery-oriented services to a post-incarcerated, adult, outpatient population (federal & county probation sex offenders and other mental health/substance abuse federal probationers), which includes: individual therapy, group therapy facilitation, and administering intake assessments with written reports and monthly treatment plans. Prior training in addiction treatment is required (forensic experience most preferable), along with knowledge of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapeutic interventions. This position primarily provides services in San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, San Jose, Richmond and Pleasant Hill, of which the candidate may work in 2-3 different clinic site locations."

Walden House - (San Francisco)
Working with substance abuse issues. Paid jobs and practicum placements.

East Bay

Cal State East Bay - (Hayward and Concord)
MFT Internship
Working with culturally diverse students - individual, couple, and group therapy.
Wage: $14/hour
Up to 20 hrs/week for 9 months starting late Sept.
Must apply by mid-Feb.

Caminar - (San Mateo)
A therapist writes, "The website is www.caminar.org. And they hire anyone really with the qualifications, but many MFT interns are hired for their various programs, which pay $18 for residential counselors and $22 for case managers. They provide one unit of group supervision and allow you to pay for outside supervision. They hire a few MFT trainees, unpaid, during the school year, and provide supervision."

Catholic Charities of the East Bay - (Pinole, East Oakland, San Leandro)
Review: Pre-K through 8th grade. Always work with the parents, but I can’t do family therapy in the internship – concentrate on the kids. Work environment: Catholic schools. Pretty conservative people there, kind of a mix. I can do whatever I want at the school. At first nerve wracking because you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing, but once I coordinated with the principles, it was great. No regular training program. Two hours of group supervision (good) one with indiv. Supervisor (not as good).Training, when it does happen, has been good. 3 days a week 7 hour day – two full years plus a couple of months to get child hours. No summer work. Paid job, $16.50 hr.

Contra Costa County Human Resources Dept.
Click on jobs and do a search in the mental health category. Last time I looked there were ongoing positions for Mental Health Clinicians in areas of crisis, day treatment, inpatient care, and others. Salary started around $50,000.
Contra Costa County Headstart - (Richmond)
Interns (prefer bilingual) to work with children ages 3-5. 20hrs/week, partial benefits through County. Prefer MFTIs or trainees in last year of Masters program. Contact Inge Lembeck,LMFT @ (925) 646-1444 ext.60991
Wage: $10/hour.

Early Childhood Mental Health Program
They have various positions providing child and family therapy as well as consultation in child-care settings.

East Bay Agency for Children
A therapist says that the pay and the training are both very good and there are a lot of enthusiastic therapist interns who work there.

Easter Seals Bay Area
Easter Seals is currently hiring MFTs and MFTIs throughout California to work as Program Managers in our Autism Project Program. The primary job responsibility is to supervise individualized plans for children with autism spectrum disorders, ages 14 months and older. This program offers a trans-disciplinary approach and opportunities for cross-training, working with experienced BCBAs, Psychologists, PTs, OTs, SLPs and other education professionals. Other essential functions include: • Schedule and coordinate regular home visits with care givers to provide specific parent education and in-home/community-based intervention activities. • Prepare and provide specialized training and instructional materials for care givers. • Act as liaison to coordinate referrals. • Coordinate staff development trainings and participate in program planning sessions. • Assure staff responsibilities, authorities, and accountabilities are defined and understood • Assure all necessary data is compiled and documentation (evaluations, treatment notes, progress reports, exit summaries, etc.) is current and completed. Call For More Information Want to learn more? Please contact Lori Lam at recruiter@esba.org, or at 510 835 2131 x 117

Eden Counseling Services - (Alameda County)
They've had postings on craigslist.org for paid part-time therapy work with children, adults, and families. You may need to call them to ask about openings.

Employment and Human Services - (Contra Costa County)
Wage: $57,000-$74,000 depending on experience.
(Not sure if you can get mft hours for the work though. It looks like a lot of case management.)
East Bay Agency for Children
"EBAC provides individual counseling and education services for children ages two to 14 who demonstrate severe emotional, behavioral, and/or learning problems." They also have a Therapeutic Nursery program for kids 2-5 with severe emotional disturbances.

East Bay School Districts - (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties)
The districts gave several job openings for Master's level counselors from elementary school to High School. Do a search or an advanced search for certificated counselor positions in the counties.

Fred Finch Youth Center - (Oakland, Vacaville, and Other Areas)
Lots of different positions working with foster care and severely emotionally disturbed youth in residential, school, and other settings.

Jewish Family and Children Services of the East Bay - (Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Albany, Livermore)
JFCS "provides multilingual services to older adults and their families, Holocaust survivors, children and their parents, refugees and immigrants, people with disabilities, and an array of adults and children who come to us for high-quality affordable mental health services."

La Cheim TBS - (Richmond)
(No web site, but the phone number is 510 222-3946) Working with emotionally disturbed youth in danger of losing their placement because of their behavior. May work in the home, group homes, in schools or in the field. Flexible hours and opportunity to get child hours towards licensure.
Wage: $14/hour for pre-masters, $16/hour for masters degree.

Lincoln Child Center - (Concord, Hayward, Oakland)
Opportunities working with severely emotionally disturbed children and their families at a residential facility and school.

New Bridge Foundation - (Berkeley)
Jobs treating adult and adolescents with addiction issues. Both outpatient and inpatient.

Pathways Counseling Center - (Alameda County)
"They offer paid internships to 40/hr interns at $11.50/hr and unpaid internships to part-time interns. It's psychodynamic orientation only. It involves clinic work and therapy at schools. I was there full-time and got just over half of my child hours."

Seneca Center - (San Francisco and East Bay)
Lots of different programs working with children and families especially those considered severely emotionally disturbed. They say they'll sit down with you and chart out how you'll get your hours and even help you study for the MFT licensing exam.
Salary: Generally around $40,000/year for a full-time Masters-level position.

Sharper Future/Pacific Forensic Psychology Associates, Inc. (Oakland, Hayward, Richmond, Pleasant Hill)
contact Mary-Perry Miller or Shana Burns at (415) 397-6622 (voice), (415)397-6666 (fax), or Email: mpmiller@sharperfuture.com or sburns@sharperfuture.com.
"These full time, 40-hour per week positions are responsible for providing both short-term and long-term therapeutic, recovery-oriented services to a post-incarcerated, adult, outpatient population (federal & county probation sex offenders and other mental health/substance abuse federal probationers), which includes: individual therapy, group therapy facilitation, and administering intake assessments with written reports and monthly treatment plans. Prior training in addiction treatment is required (forensic experience most preferable), along with knowledge of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapeutic interventions. This position primarily provides services in San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, San Jose, Richmond and Pleasant Hill, of which the candidate may work in 2-3 different clinic site locations."

Stepping Stones Center for Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Inc. (SSCASD) - (East Bay, North Bay, Penninsula, South Bay)
Paid jobs and traineeships with stipends working with people with autism age 18 months to 22 years. They provide training and supervision in using their method, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Call Heidi Thauberger at (650) 357-0571 for more information on the MFT supervised internship.

Thunder Road, Adolescent Treatment Services, Inc. - (Oakland)
Jobs and paid internships working with adolescents with substance abuse issues.

Westcoast Children's Clinic (Oakland, El Cerrito)
WCC has community based services in homes, schools, and their clinic for children and families. They have paid jobs as well as doctoral training programs.
Salary: Around $45,000/year for the jobs MFTIs qualify for.

North Bay

Jewish Family and Children Services - (San Francisco, Marin, Peninsula, and Sonoma Counties)
"Founded in 1850 by Gold Rush pioneers, JFCS is the oldest social service agency west of the Mississippi." They provide therapy focusing on individuals, children, families, seniors, and new immigrants.

Marin School District - (Marin)
The district has several job openings for Master's level counselors from elementary school to High School. Do a search or an advanced search for certificated counselor positions in the county.

Stepping Stones Center for Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Inc. (SSCASD) - (East Bay, North Bay, Penninsula, South Bay)
Paid jobs and traineeships with stipends working with people with autism age 18 months to 22 years. They provide training and supervision in using their method, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Call Heidi Thauberger at (650) 357-0571 for more information on the MFT supervised internship.

South Bay

Bill Wilson Center - (Santa Clara)
Lots of different programs working with youth and families. Residential facility, living with dying program, and a counseling center among others.

Edgewood Center for Children and Families - (San Carlos and San Francisco)
A large agency with lots of different of programs. You may not be able to get hours for the paid positions but they do have internships with stipends. They offer tuition reiumbursement and full medical, dental, and vision benefits if you work 20+ hrs/wk.
Review: I've worked here personally in both the residential and the community based programs. The residential work was very challenging and I burned out quickly but I know others who could do it for years. I transferred to a GREAT job (the PIP Program) working in elementary schools doing nondirective play with shy, withdrawn children with mild-moderate adjustment problems. PIP usually hires around Aug. and Dec. The only issue is that I could not get clinical hours for it because they don't consider it therapy. Still a great job especially for the pre-Masters level.

Pyramid Alternatives - (San Mateo, Pacifica)
Jobs at different positions.
(Reviews are for the job in the school)
Review 1: Definitely recommend it. Requires experience. Paid $20/hr. $10 towards supervision and $10/hr for paperwork. Travel time – driving paid for. 10 –20 or more hours a week. For every half and hour with a child – four hours you can dock with BBS! 9 months to get the hours. Elementary up to high school. Kids are wonderful. School setting – horrible little room. Very basic. Have to set most of it up yourself. Only see kids – elementary school. No parents.
Review 2: "I would definitely recommend the job to people who have some experience. Internship offered at Pyramid which seems great too."

Rape Trauma Services - (San Mateo)
Interns get trained to be Sexual Assault Counselors then work around 20 hours a week. Interns do a shift on the crisis line as well as individual and group therapy with survivors. They pay $15 per hour (60 minutes) for direct clinical services, study group attendance and Victims of Crime billings.

San Mateo School District - (San Mateo)
The district has several job openings for Master's level counselors from elementary school to High School. Do a search or an advanced search for certificated counselor positions in the county.

Sharper Future/Pacific Forensic Psychology Associates, Inc. (San Jose)
contact Mary-Perry Miller or Shana Burns at (415) 397-6622 (voice), (415)397-6666 (fax), or Email: mpmiller@sharperfuture.com or sburns@sharperfuture.com.
"These full time, 40-hour per week positions are responsible for providing both short-term and long-term therapeutic, recovery-oriented services to a post-incarcerated, adult, outpatient population (federal & county probation sex offenders and other mental health/substance abuse federal probationers), which includes: individual therapy, group therapy facilitation, and administering intake assessments with written reports and monthly treatment plans. Prior training in addiction treatment is required (forensic experience most preferable), along with knowledge of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapeutic interventions. This position primarily provides services in San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, San Jose, Richmond and Pleasant Hill, of which the candidate may work in 2-3 different clinic site locations."

Stepping Stones Center for Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Inc. (SSCASD) - (East Bay, North Bay, Penninsula, South Bay)
Paid jobs and traineeships with stipends working with people with autism age 18 months to 22 years. They provide training and supervision in using their method, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Call Heidi Thauberger at (650) 357-0571 for more information on the MFT supervised internship.


General MFTI Job and Internship Postings


East Bay CAMFT Listings
Sometimes this has listings on it.

CAMFT Classifieds
This always seems surprisingly sparse especially in the SF Bay Area but check it out just in case.

Craigslist.org
I've written a few tips on finding jobs through craigslist.

Myspace Jobs
Easy keyword search, lots of paid positions.

National Health Service Corps
A searchable national database of mental health jobs in high-need areas.

SocialService.com
Searchable employment postings from around the country that can be emailed to you daily.