Aspire - School Based Mental Health Therapist

Join the Mental Health Team at Aspire Richmond California College Preparatory Academy (Cal Prep)

Are you passionate about student wellness and education? Come be a vital part of a dynamic and supportive school where your voice is valued, your work makes a difference, and your impact is deeply felt.

At Cal Prep, a 6th–12th grade public charter school serving approximately 600 students nearly 50% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and our student body consist of 74% Latinx, 11% African-American, 7% Asian American, 2%  Multi-racial, and 1% Caucasian.

Our staff also represents a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels, creating a rich environment for growth, learning, and collaboration.

Why Work at Cal Prep?

• Meaningful Mental Health Work: We believe that mental health is essential to learning. We are student-centered therapists dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and stigma-free environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
• Supportive & Collaborative Culture: Work with an administration that values your expertise, listens to your insight, and believes in collaborative problem-solving.
• Strong School Culture & Celebrations: We celebrate students and staff who embody our core values—integrity, community, equity, empathy, growth mindset, and curiosity. Our monthly town halls highlight and uplift our marginalized populations, building an inclusive school culture.
• Empowerment & Innovation: You’ll have the freedom to champion mental health topics that inspire you. Whether it’s a new group, initiative, or workshop—your creativity and passions are welcomed and encouraged.

Aspire Perks & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• $1,700/year in tuition reimbursement
• Full health, dental, and vision benefits
• Retirement plans + Employee Assistance Program
• Generous time off, including:
• Summers off
• One week off in October, November, and March
• Three weeks off in December
• Plus holidays!

Aspire Mental Health Clinician Supports/Benefits: 

Aspire Bay Area Mental Health Therapists receive a variety of clinical training and support:

• Community of Practice: Clinicians receive dynamic training and support. Each month, clinicians engage in an off-site training day called “MHT Community of Practice”. The two Bay Area Lead Clinicians and Regional Director of Student Services lead the clinicians in sessions around social emotional learning, equity and culture work, consultation, and clinical training. 
• Clinical Supervision: Mental Health Therapists working towards licensure receive in-house individual and group supervision each week. 
• Clinical Consultation: A bi-weekly clinical consultation group is offered for clinicians who have finished their hours and/or are licensed.
• Crisis Consultation: When students are in crisis, mental health therapists are able to consult with the two Bay Area Lead clinicians as well as the Regional Manager of Student Services.
• On-site weekly meeting: Every week, the mental health team gets together to check in and update each other.
• On-site consultation: You will have access to at least one clinician on-site to consult and/or partner with to address any dilemmas.

Job Posting: 

Please read below for more details and then apply here:

Mental Health Therapist,Sped/Gen.Ed Bay Area 

(https://jobs.jobvite.com/aspirepublicschools/job/orQLvfwh)

When you apply,

• Please make sure you select “Richmond” as your preferred city
• Once you have submitted the online application, please also send a group email titled “Cal Prep MHT Application” along with your resume and cover letter to the following four people*:
• Principal: [email protected]
• Assistant Principal: [email protected]
• Gen. Ed MHT: [email protected]
• Sped MHT: [email protected]

*This will allow the school-site team to be on the lookout for your application. 

Mental Health Therapist Position: 

You would be joining our mental health team as our third clinician. Please note that this is a split position, which means your caseload will consist of both Sped students and Gen. Ed students. 

Priority will be given to those students who need counseling as part of their special education services. The number of students who might need this service can vary depending on the needs that arise throughout the school year, which could potentially impact the Gen. Ed caseload. The role is not necessarily 50/50, but rather it changes depending on the number of students with ERMHS. 

As a Sped therapist, you will be providing Educational Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) minutes to a very specific group of students. You will be an integral member of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), helping to plan, implement and monitor students’ counseling goals. You will be responsible for attending IEP meetings, collaborating with the Sped department and working side to side with Ed. Specialist, teachers and parents.

As a Gen. Ed therapist you will be providing brief, individual therapy cycles, group services, crisis support, case management, and whole-school consultation. 

Working at Cal Prep would also serve as a great opportunity to grow in your clinical practice, get experience as a clinician working with students within different developmental stages, different learning styles, and different social-emotional needs. Additionally, you will have a support team to guide you, support you, and collaborate with you at all times!

We hope that you apply to be a part of our team, and we look forward to connecting with you soon.

Best,

Erica Ramirez, Principal 

Blaine Abate, Assistant Principal 

Cristina Gutierrez, Ged. Ed MHT

Zaineb Siddiqee, Sped MHT