LGBTQ+ Specialist Therapist

UC Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 92,871 - 129,993; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Full benefits

Job summary

UC Santa Barbara seeks a Licensed Clinician for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to provide direct counseling and crisis support to students, with a strong emphasis on LGBTQ+ health and identity development.

The role includes outreach, training, and collaboration with campus organizations, while maintaining compliant documentation and following professional standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited program in marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, or a related field.
• 1–3 years demonstrated clinical experience working with LGBTQ+ communities.
• Possession of a California LMFT or LCSW license.
• Maintain current and unrestricted California LMFT or LCSW license.
• Knowledge of LGBTQ+ mental health and culturally responsive affirmative clinical practices.
• Ability to collaborate with LGBTQ+ campus organizations, student groups, and community resources.

Responsibilities

• 55% Direct services: provide counseling and psychotherapy to students, crisis assessment, and follow-up.
• LGBTQ+ focus: deliver psychotherapy with focus on LGBTQ+ mental health and identity development.
• 20% Consultation and outreach: community/ campus unit consulting, trainings, and workshops.
• 15% Training and supervision: provide clinical guidance to trainees and supervise staff.
• 10% Administrative duties: document services in CAPS records and attend meetings.

Skills

LGBTQ+ mental health

Identity development

Affirmative therapy

Interprofessional collaboration

Clinical licensure knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, or related field

Job description

Job Posting Details

Position Number: 41257415

Payroll Title: BEH HEALTH COUNSELOR 3 HX (004459)

Job Code: 004459

Job Open Date: 7/27/26

Application Review Begins: 8/11/26

Department Code (Name): COUN (COUNSELING AND PSYCH SERVICES)

Percentage of Time: 100

Union Code (Name): HX-Healthcare Professionals

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): PSS

Salary Grade: STEPS

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,496.98/year to $106,669.03/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $92,871.38/year to $129,993.10/year.

Work Location: Building 599

Working Days and Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Department Marketing Statement

The mission of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is to assist Student Affairs and the University in helping the student body achieve academically, socially, and personally through culturally responsive mental health services. CAPS is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment to ensure that all students remain psychologically healthy as they pursue their goals. We value Inclusion, Collaboration, Compassion, and Impact. Our objective is to help create and maintain a healthy campus environment. We educate, support, advocate, and help foster a culture of acceptance and appreciation of human differences.

Benefits Of Belonging

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary Of Job Duties

The Licensed Clinician reports to the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or designee and is assigned duties as specified herein. The therapist will provide high-quality clinical services, community psychology/outreach and consultation services, and may participate in training doctoral interns, postdoctoral fellows, and practicum students. All CAPS staff are expected to have awareness, knowledge, and skills to effectively provide professional service to a diverse student body, with a focus on LGBTQ+ mental health and well-being. The therapist is expected to participate in LGBTQ+ campus organizations and initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and to supporting sexual and gender-diverse students. May provide clinical guidance to other professional staff related to LGBTQ+ mental health. All activities are performed in accordance with professional ethical standards and applicable California laws and regulations.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited program in marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years Demonstrated clinical experience working with LGBTQ+ communities.
• Possession of a Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
• Maintain current and unrestricted California LMFT or LCSW license
• Demonstrated knowledge of LGBTQ+ mental health, identity development, and culturally responsive affirmative clinical practices.
• Demonstrated ability to provide affirming and culturally appropriate therapeutic interventions for sexual and gender diverse students.
• Knowledge of issues impacting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with LGBTQ+ campus organizations, student groups, and community resources.

Special Conditions Of Employment

• Credentials verification for clinical practitioner — license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the Board of Behavioral Sciences in the State of California. Maintain current and unrestricted license.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required (remote and/or onsite).
• Employment is contingent on successful completion of our credentialing, privileging, and background check processes.
• Mandated reporting requirements of Child Abuse
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" Means Any Violation Of The Policies Governing Employee Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Or Discrimination, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions And Percentages Of Time

55% Direct Services

Provides brief counseling and psychotherapy with undergraduate and graduate students (individuals and couples) with a broad range of psychological problems, with a focus on LGBTQ+ identified students. Provides crisis assessment and crisis intervention. Provides follow-up services to callers who use our after-hours crisis counseling. Serves on triage and/or single-session teams. Provides back-up as needed, including evenings and weekends. Conducts group counseling and psychoeducational sessions. Consults with students, faculty, and staff regarding issues that affect the developmental and psychological well-being of students in the university community. Determines the need for other professional interventions and refers as necessary. Maintains current EHR documentation for each client seen or group conducted as mandated by law and department policy.

LGBTQ+ Focus: Provides psychotherapy and therapeutic interventions with a focus on LGBTQ+ mental health and identity development as appropriate. Demonstrates expertise in working with issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, minority stress, coming out, relationship concerns, family dynamics, intersectionality, and resilience. Provides group psychotherapy and psychoeducational programming for LGBTQ+ students and partners and consults with campus departments and student organizations to enhance mental health support, belonging, and access to care for LGBTQ+ communities.

20% Consultation and Outreach

Functions as a community mental health provider and consultant to faculty, staff, residential life staff, and other campus units regarding student concerns and student distress, enhancing the psychological well-being of the campus community, particularly LGBTQ+ students. Implements outreach programs, trainings, workshops, and class presentations with a focus on supporting LGBTQ+ students and fostering inclusive campus environments. Participates regularly in a cooperative and professional manner in efforts to maintain and upgrade the quality of service of the CAPS unit. Consults with psychiatrists, physicians, off-campus mental health professionals, social agencies, campus entities (including the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity), and community resources regarding students and/or mental health issues.

15% Training and Supervision

Provides clinical guidance and oversight to various levels of professional staff related to LGBTQ+ mental health and affirmative clinical practice. Provides consultation to the clinical work of trainees and unlicensed clinical staff, as required. Participates in a weekly Case Consultation Team (CCT). Provides orientation workshops, clinical training, and educational presentations on LGBTQ+ mental health, identity development, and culturally responsive care, as requested.

10% Administrative Duties

Documents clinical services in CAPS electronic record; regularly meets with supervisor; attends CAPS and campus trainings as appropriate; attends CAPS staff meetings; participates on various departmental and interdepartmental committees as appropriate; attends campus and community meetings as appropriate.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations – https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

• Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Reasonable Accommodations

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