Psychologist, Complex Mental Health

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students dealing with complex mental health issues? Join us at UC Santa Cruz where every student's journey is unique. Counseling and Psychological Services is seeking a compassionate and skilled Psychologist to provide care and support for the mental health and well being of our diverse student communities experiencing complex mental health struggles.

If you are a Master's level psychotherapist, please apply to job ID 84428 Clinician, Complex Mental Health, Master's Level.

The largest employer in the county, rated as one of the most beautiful campuses, located on the coast overlooking Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz employs over 3,100 people in staff positions alone.

Opportunities available for this position include:

• Hybrid remote work schedule available.
• While full-time employment is preferred, a part-time four day per week schedule is possible. If less than 12 months is preferred, the position can contain regularly scheduled unpaid, non-work periods in the summer during which the Psychologist remains an employee and retains health benefits, but is not at work.

UC Santa Cruz staff have access to comprehensive benefits packages. Here is a sample of benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plan
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance\
• Pet Insurance
• 13 Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

For more information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the university
visit:

Thank you for your interest in UC Santa Cruz.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 03-11-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) Student Health Services (SHS) is a full-service health facility offering clinical, educational, counseling, and psychiatry services to students on the UCSC campus. SHS is deeply committed to ensuring affordable, well-integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare that effectively supports the university's diverse campus communities through equitable access and culturally competent, high-quality programs and services.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a variety of mental health and psychological services to UCSC undergraduate and graduate students, including intake assessment, brief and long-term individual, group therapy, crisis intervention, mental health outreach and workshop programming, consultation, and liaison relationships to support student mental health and well-being.


The Primary Care Program offers primary care and same-day care services, supported by on-site radiology, a COLA-accredited clinical laboratory, and the campus pharmacy offering prescription and over-the-counter products.

Additional departments include Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP), home of the Condom Co-op, the Cove Collegiate Recovery Program (CCRP), where students receive harm-reduction and recovery services; CARE (Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment) the advocacy and prevention education office that supports those who have experienced sexual assault, stalking, and dating/domestic violence; Optometry, and Student Insurance and Referral Programs.

Student Health Services employs approximately 150 staff and welcomes staff with interest and experience working with college students with a wide range of diverse and intersecting identities.

More information can be found at: and caps.ucsc.edu

JOB SUMMARY

The Clinician, Complex Mental Health, Doctoral Level reports to the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and is assigned duties by the Director as specified herein. The incumbent provides high-quality clinical services, outreach and educational programming, and consultation services, and may supervise/train doctoral interns and post-doctoral fellows. In discharging these duties, the Clinician is expected to be knowledgeable, skilled, and committed to the delivery of psychological services to students with diverse and intersecting identities.

All the Clinician's activities are performed within the limits of standards and ethical principles of the California Board of Psychology, as well as applicable legal mandates for mental health professionals in the State of California.

As part of an innovative program designed to provide clinical services to UCSC students with complex and high-acuity mental health conditions, the Clinician provides both brief and extended therapy, crisis assessment and intervention, and group support for students in need of intensive, focused, and integrated care.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $112,795.69/Annually, $9,399.64/Month up to $145,923/Annually, $12,160.26/Month; Proportionate to time worked. Salary commensurate with years of licensed experience as well as specialized skills and qualifications.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Residual Health Care Professionals (HX)

Job Code Classification: CNSLNG PSYCHOLOGIST 2 HX (009559)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

75% - Direct Service

• Provides brief and long-term counseling and psychotherapy with undergraduate and graduate students (individuals and couples) with a broad range and complexity of psychological problems and diagnoses
• Provides triage and intake assessment
• Provides crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization
• Provides case management and referral services, including facilitating treatment planning to outside referrals for a higher level of care
• Conducts group therapy, psychoeducational groups, and drop-in groups
• Works collaboratively with CAPS and SHS providers, campus partners, off-campus mental health professionals, and community resources to meet the mental health needs of students
• Determines the need for other professional interventions and refers as necessary
• Provides consultation to staff, faculty, administrators, and campus partners regarding the psychological well-being of students
• Provides backup consultation for the After-Hours Crisis Services

25% - Indirect Services

• Participates regularly in CAPS committees and workgroups in a cooperative and professional manner in efforts to maintain and upgrade the quality of service of the CAPS
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Promotes a safe and healthy workplace and effectively responds to injuries that occur

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid California licensure, in good standing, in Psychology OR Valid out of state licensure*, in good standing, in Psychology. *Out of State licensed psychologists are required to acquire
• California licensure within 180 days from either submitting the application or beginning California residency, whichever occurs first.
• Demonstrated clinical experience with individuals using both brief and long-term therapy models
• Demonstrated strong clinical and crisis management skills, including ability to work with high acuity students with complex mental health needs and diagnoses
• Experience facilitating psychotherapy and psycho-educational groups
• Demonstrated experience, skills, and expertise providing multiculturally responsive and trauma informed clinical services to individuals with diverse and intersecting identities
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and ability to deliver psychological services to diverse communities in a university or college setting
• Demonstrated expertise with developmental and mental health issues of late adolescence
• Demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and to effectively collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to be an effective team member, and evidence of professional behavior
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to use computer-based electronic health records and scheduling software

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Counseling experience in a college/university setting
• Doctorate and internship from APA accredited program
• Psychology licensure in California preferred over out of state licensure
• Experience working with underserved and marginalized populations relevant to the UCSC student body
• Experience with DBT

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Other