School-Based Therapist

Effective School Solutions; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Effective School Solutions (ESS) in CA is seeking a School-Based Therapist to support a small group of students with emotional and behavioral challenges, promoting their social, emotional, and academic growth.

You will collaborate with school staff and families to create safe, trauma-informed environments, deliver individual, group, and family therapy, coordinate care with ESS teams, and maintain accurate clinical documentation for regular meetings.

Qualifications

• Must have active associate registration or clinical license with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• Experience in school-based or youth mental health settings preferred.
• Competent in documentation and collaboration with school staff and families.

Responsibilities

• Deliver individual, group, and family therapy aligned with ESS’s trauma-informed approach.
• Coordinate care and referrals to community services as needed.
• Collaborate with school administration, teachers, and ESS teams to support student success.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and participate in regular team meetings.
• Engage families through programming and parent support groups when needed.

Skills

2+ years experience with children/adol

Strong communication

Collaboration

Trauma-informed approach

Education

CA licensure/associate registration (ACSW, AMFT, APCC) or LCSW/LMFT/LPCC

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic medical records

Job description

Be Part of the Solution at Effective School Solutions (ESS)

At Effective School Solutions, we’re redefining what school-based mental health can look like — balancing meaningful impact with professional stability and personal well-being.

We offer: Clinician Supervision | School-Day Schedule ( no evenings or weekends ) | L ight S ummers (10hr/ wk for 5 weeks) | C ompetitive P ay and B enefits | S mall C aseloads | A C ollaborative C ultur e that values your growth and well-being.

About Effective School Solutions:
Effective School Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of school-based mental health services for K–12 students. Serving over 6,000 students across 12 states, ESS brings the level of clinical care typically found in private practice settings directly into public schools. In response to the growing mental health needs of young people, ESS has expanded its offerings to include a full continuum of clinical programming, professional development, and consultative services for districts.

What You Can Expect

• Ongoing, multi-layered support from Regional Directors, clinical supervisors, and your school team.
• Extensive training in ESS’s evidence-based, school-focused model of care.
• A stable, school-based schedule with no intensive travel or unpredictable hours.

About the Role

ESS is seeking a School-Based Therapist in the San Leandro, CA area. This therapist will provide therapeutic services to a small group of students with emotional and behavioral challenges, supporting their social, emotional, and academic growth.

You’ll collaborate with school staff and families to create safe, trauma-attuned environments that promote lasting stability for students

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver individual, group, and family therapy aligned with ESS’s trauma-informed approach.
• Coordinate care and referrals to appropriate community services.
• Collaborate with school administration, teachers, and ESS teams to support student success.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and participate in regular team meetings.
• Engage families through programming and parent support groups as needed.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience working with children/adolescents with behavioral or emotional challenges.
• Must hold an active associate registration (ACSW, AMFT, or APCC) or clinical license (LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
• Strong communication, collaboration, and documentation skills.
• Experience in school-based or youth mental health settings preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and electronic medical record systems.

Why Join ESS

• Make a real difference addressing the youth mental health crisis in schools.
• Join a mission-driven organization with strong growth and innovation.
• Enjoy school-year schedules and light summers.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development opportunities.
• A culture that values clinician voice and work-life balance.

Be part of the solution. Be part of ESS.

The starting salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 yearly

As set forth in Effective School Solutions’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.