Therapist - PEDIATRICS - 140472

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health's Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research in the Department of Pediatrics seeks a licensed mental health professional to provide counseling and psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and clinical consultation.

You will support behavioral-based research, outreach, and community programs, applying DBT/CBT approaches with diverse populations including children, adolescents, and adults referred from UCSD and partners.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in psychology, social work, marriage/family therapy, or related field.
• Licensed as a mental health provider (Psychologist, LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC).
• DBT and/or CBT knowledge and experience preferred.
• Experience with or knowledge of obesity, eating behavior, psychology, eating disorders, and physical activity.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling and psychotherapy.
• Conduct crisis intervention and clinical consultation.
• Engage in outreach and psycho-educational programming.
• Gather and maintain detailed session data per protocols for human subjects protection.
• Support research studies and community programs across multiple locations.

Skills

Counseling

DBT knowledge

CBT knowledge

Crisis intervention

Group counseling

Community programs

Intervention planning

Research participation

Education

Master's degree in psychology or related area

Licensed mental health provider

Doctorate in related area (preferred)

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 7/16/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research in the Department of Pediatrics conducts various behavioral-therapy studies aiming to decrease binge eating, overeating and obesity among children, adolescents, and adults. The Center also conducts community programs targeting binge eating, overeating, obesity and other eating disorders and provides clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults referred from UCSD, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, and other organizations.

This position provides support to clinical services, behavioral based research studies, and community programs aimed at improving health, with a primary focus on changing eating behavior and weight reduction. Diverse populations are targeted including men, women, children, minorities, and other high risk populations. Incumbent will provide variety of psychological services such as individual and group counseling and psychotherapy, crisis intervention, clinical consultation, outreach and psycho-educational programming. The incumbent will support the program and projects by conducting intervention and treatment activities based on novel treatments, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. This position also requires gathering and maintaining detailed and accurate information on sessions with assigned study participants/patients according to protocols and procedures for protecting human subjects.

Services may be delivered at more than one location based on service needs and at the discretion of program leadership. Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced professional with a full understanding of industry practices (i.e., regulatory requirements, healthcare laws) and campus policies and procedures; resolves a wide range of issues. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

CT - Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced professional with a full understanding of industry practices and campus policies and procedures; resolves a wide range of issues. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in a related area (i.e. psychology, social work, marriage/family therapy).




• Licensed as a mental health provider (Psychologist, LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC).




• Thorough knowledge and understanding of clinical counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards.




• Thorough knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to patients' rights.




• Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic approach and modify as necessary.




• Ability to develop and present educational programs and / or workshops.




• Highly effective problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.




• Ability to work in a highly collaborative manner with a diverse client group.




• Highly effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.




• Knowledge of business software and specialized applications/systems used in behavioral health settings.




• Experienced in or knowledge of application of Dialectical Behavior Training (DBT) and/or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).




• Demonstrated experience working in the area of obesity, eating behavior, general nutrition, psychology, eating disorders, and physical activity.'




• Demonstrated experience developing patient educational materials and resources.




• Computer literacy and word processing skills with experience using database management software. Must be proficient in MS Word, email, Internet use.




• Demonstrated experience working with research study participants and knowledge of human subjects guidelines, working with community program participants, and/or clinic patients.




• Demonstrated experience implementing cultural sensitivity to workplace situations.




• Relevant experience in working as a therapist or clinician in an outpatient setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate in related area preferred.




• Experience in eating disorders, obesity, or health behaviors.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.




• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.




• Availability to work until 7pm.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $111,835 - $162,933 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $53.56 - $78.03

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).