Mental Health Associate

The Stepping Stones Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supervision toward licensure for assoc

Competitive pay: $40–$50 for assoc; $‑

$70–$80 for licensed clinicians

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is hiring School-Based Mental Health Providers to deliver Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) under students' IEPs for special education students, with an immediate start preferred. You will attend IEP meetings and collaborate with school teams while supporting social-emotional needs.

Bilingual English/Spanish clinicians are in high demand; both associate-level and fully licensed clinicians are welcome to apply.

Qualifications

• Active California license or associate registration in LMFT/AMFT, LCSW/ASW, or LPCC/APCC.
• Experience providing mental health services in a school setting.
• Availability at least 4 days per week.
• Ability to complete state clearances and background checks.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provide ERMHS to special education students per IEPs, including individual and group counseling.
• Support students' social-emotional needs using evidence-based approaches.
• Attend IEP meetings, update goals, and write timely reports.
• Collaborate with teachers, SPED staff, school psychologists, and administrators.
• Document services in the district's IEP platform.
• Respond to student concerns and coordinate with the school team on safety and next steps.
• Travel between school sites as assigned for floater positions.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Strong written/verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

California license or associate registration (LMFT/AMFT, LCSW/ASW, LPCC/APCC)

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group

Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based Mental Health Provider (ERMHS) | Full-Time | Special Education | Multiple Openings | Bilingual Spanish Preferred | Associate and Licensed Clinicians Welcome

About the Opportunity

Are you a mental health clinician who wants to make a difference for students with disabilities? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking School-Based Mental Health Providers to deliver Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) as part of students' IEPs, with an immediate start preferred. You'll serve special education students only, attend IEP meetings, and support students' social-emotional needs alongside school teams. Bilingual English/Spanish clinicians are in high demand. Both associate-level and fully licensed clinicians are welcome to apply.

Associate-level clinicians, this one's for you. Paying for supervision toward full licensure can cost thousands of dollars. At The Stepping Stones Group, it's included.

• Pay:$40-$50 per hour for associate-level clinicians and $70-$80 per hour for fully licensed clinicians
• Supervision: Supervision toward full licensure for associate-level clinicians, at no out-of-pocket cost
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, full-time, 35 hours per week, on a school-year schedule. Part-time (at least 4 days per week) may be considered for the right bilingual candidate
• Setting: Onsite, in-person only, school-based, special education
• Sites: Typically 1 to 2 school sites, with a maximum of 3, and one site per day. Some floater positions are available for clinicians comfortable with travel between sites
• Assignment length: Through the end of the 2026-27 school year (early June)
• Start date: Immediate
• Employment type: W-2
• Location: Shared with candidates during the application process

What You'll Do

• Provide Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) to special education students as outlined in their IEPs, including individual and group counseling
• Support students' social-emotional needs using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches
• Attend IEP meetings, update goals, and write clear, timely reports
• Collaborate with teachers, special education staff, school psychologists, and administrators
• Document services in the district's IEP platform
• Respond to student concerns and coordinate with the school team on safety and next steps
• Keep accurate documentation and maintain student confidentiality in line with FERPA and mandated reporting requirements
• Travel between school sites as assigned, for floater positions

Minimum Qualifications

• Active California license or associate registration in one of the following: Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT or AMFT), Clinical Social Work (LCSW or ASW), or Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC or APCC)
• Experience providing mental health services in a school setting
• Availability at least 4 days per week
• Ability to complete required state clearances and background checks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Authorization to work in the United States

You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:

• Starting right away
• Working onsite and in person in a school
• Working exclusively with students with disabilities
• Serving one to three school sites, with one site per day
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary IEP team
• Working a defined school-year assignment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish and English (high need)
• Experience providing ERMHS or school-based counseling in a public school
• Experience writing IEP goals and reports
• Experience with SEIS or a similar IEP platform
• Experience with trauma-informed care and crisis response
• Experience working with students with disabilities

Related Experience We Value

Experience as a School Counselor, School Social Worker, School-Based Therapist, Mental Health Clinician, Behavioral Health Clinician, LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or Educationally Related Mental Health Services provider is highly valued.

Why Candidates Choose This Role

• Supervision toward licensure included for associate-level clinicians, at no cost to you
• Use your license or registration in a hands-on school setting with a consistent weekday schedule
• Focus on direct services and IEP participation, with assessments handled separately by school psychologists
• Region-based assignments with openings across multiple areas
• Evenings, weekends, and school breaks typically off

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay
• Health and wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Continuing education resources, including free CEUs and approved webinars
• Employee referral bonus program
• Supportive and collaborative clinical leadership
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful school-based mental health providers are compassionate, organized, and dependable. They build trust with students quickly, document clearly, collaborate well with school teams, and keep students' wellbeing at the center of every decision.

About The Stepping Stones Group

We believe every child deserves exceptional support to succeed academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. We partner with schools nationwide to provide high-quality educational and behavioral health services, and we give our clinicians the training, resources, and support to do their best work.

The Stepping Stones Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.