Employment & Career Opportunities Available in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, & San Jose
Join a Team That Supports Your Best Clinical Work
At Palo Alto Therapy, we help therapists focus on what matters most: doing meaningful clinical work. We take care of scheduling, billing, marketing, and administrative support so you can spend your time with clients, not paperwork.
We are a therapist-owned, collaborative practice built around evidence-based care, strong clinical support, and a healthy work culture. When you join our team, you are supported, valued, and never working alone.
We currently have locations in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose, with in-person and hybrid opportunities depending on role and availability.
Is Palo Alto Therapy Right for You?
You may be a great fit if you are a therapist who wants to focus on therapy without administrative overwhelm, values collaboration and continued learning, enjoys working in a supportive team-based environment, uses or is interested in evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ERP, DBT, the Gottman Method, or Emotionally Focused Therapy, and wants to work with motivated, thoughtfully matched clients. We welcome both experienced clinicians and those earlier in their careers.
What You’ll Get
You will be able to focus on therapy while we handle intake, scheduling, billing, and marketing. You will participate in weekly skills groups and case consultations so you are supported, confident, and never working alone. You will receive ongoing supervision, consultation, and training to support your growth and development as a clinician. You will work in a collaborative culture where therapists communicate openly, support one another, and value high-quality care.
The Clients You’ll Work With
Depending on your interests and training, you may work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Clients are carefully matched to support strong therapeutic outcomes and clinician satisfaction.
Compensation and Benefits
We offer competitive compensation and benefits, including full-time and part-time positions, health insurance and paid time off for eligible clinicians, malpractice insurance, and continuing education and professional development support. Details vary by role and are discussed during the interview process.
Build a Career You Can Sustain
Many therapists come to Palo Alto Therapy looking for support and stay because they find a professional home. We are intentional about creating a practice where clinicians can grow, feel valued, and build long-term careers.
Ready to Apply?
If you are looking for a practice that supports your clinical work and professional growth, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today to join Palo Alto Therapy.
Employment FAQs
Palo Alto Therapy is a good fit for clinicians who value collaboration, evidence-based care, and strong clinical support. We work best with therapists who want to focus on quality client care while being part of a supportive team.
We currently have locations in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and San Jose. Specific location availability depends on the position and client needs.
Yes. We hire associate clinicians and provide structured supervision, consultation, and support to help you grow and develop as a therapist while accruing hours.
All clinicians participate in weekly skills groups and case consultations so they feel supported, confident, and never working alone. Additional supervision and consultation are available depending on role and licensure level.
We support evidence-based approaches including CBT, ERP, DBT, the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and related models. We value clinicians who are interested in continued learning and skill development.
Yes. Many of our clinicians work with couples and families using evidence-based relationship models such as the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, depending on training and interest.
Caseloads vary by position and availability, but clients are thoughtfully matched to therapists to support good clinical fit and sustainable workloads.
Positions may be in-person or hybrid depending on role and location. Specific details are discussed during the interview process.
Clients are matched based on clinical fit, therapist interests, and availability. Our intake team manages referrals so therapists can focus on clinical work rather than marketing.
We handle scheduling, billing, marketing, intake, and administrative support so clinicians can focus on therapy rather than paperwork.
We offer competitive compensation with full-time and part-time opportunities. Benefits may include health insurance, paid time off for eligible clinicians, malpractice insurance, and professional development support. Details vary by role.
Yes. We welcome applications from newly licensed clinicians as well as those earlier in their careers, depending on current openings.
The process typically includes an application review, interview, and discussion of clinical interests, experience, and fit. We aim to make the process clear, respectful, and transparent.
Stay in Touch!
If you would like to be notified of future opportunities at Palo Alto Therapy and learn more about the exciting opportunities that await you as a valued member of our team, please submit your information below.
I love that you get the feel of working in a private practice but still have co-workers around you. Everyone shares resources and they are team oriented. What I especially liked about PAT is that they really try to match you with the clients that you want to work with and that you are passionate about. There is so much opportunity for training. PAT is the perfect place for a therapist to do what they love-therapy!
I have worked at Palo Alto Therapy for many years and really enjoy the supportive and positive environment. There is a lot of emphasis placed on continuing to learn new skills and grow. The care coordinators are excellent and offer support around setting up new clients, billing, dealing with insurance, etc. which allows me to focus on providing quality therapy. It is so nice to work in community with the other therapists who are always willing to offer support and consultation as needed. I would highly recommend working at Palo Alto Therapy.
The kindness and thoughtfulness of everyone at PAT has been something I’m not used to from past jobs. It’s been such a wonderful feeling knowing how much we all care about each other and are there for each other whether it comes to a busy day or just a hard day in general. I’m so thankful to work somewhere where the random acts of kindness are genuine and meaningful and people actually care. I can’t imagine working somewhere else just because of how caring and wonderful the staff is.
Palo Alto Therapy (PAT) is a very positive work environment. The practice goes above and beyond to offer regular consultation and training opportunities and promote a supportive culture. The care coordinators and administrative team are exceptional allowing therapists to focus on their clinical work. There is a fair amount of autonomy with ensuring clients are a good fit via consultations and with scheduling. The systems in place facilitate ease with telehealth and the office space is comfortable and inviting for clients. Overall, one of the best places I have worked.
Benefits with Palo Alto Therapy:
- Health insurance, including dental, vision, and life
- 401K retirement plan
- Paid Time Off
- Yearly training funds PLUS Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and OCD Certification through Palo Alto Therapy
- Excellent training, CEU’s, and clinical support
- Clinical consultation & Skills groups, professional development, and great team dynamics
- Warm, supportive, engaged work culture, and CONNECTION with our team!
- W-2 Employee: Premium malpractice insurance, employer FICA, & unemployment insurance, & workers compensation
- Reimbursement for work-related cell phone use & other work incidentals
Palo Alto Therapy does not just provide talk therapy, but focuses on teaching skills to maintain therapy. You have a genuine interest in the client’s well-being and you offered a new way of thinking about or means of addressing my issues.
I liked the emphasis on doing concrete things to get results-writing down negative thoughts, trying to say things to counter those thoughts…Thank you for helping me make my life better.
I found the homework exercises to be very helpful to me. I’ve been able to use techniques I have learned from those exercises to slow down my thoughts when problems arise and work through whatever the issue may be, OCD or otherwise.
Anni makes me feel comfortable talking about uncomfortable things, I feel confident that Anni will help me get through my fear.
It is a very open and compassionate place with very understanding therapists. I feel like anyone would want someone who is a great listener and this is the place that they should go.
I feel like we drilled down to some of the root worries, which I hadn’t thought deeply about much. Anni really listened and I felt like she really understood how I was feeling.
Counseling was great. It brought me out of a state of depression and gave me some tools for dealing with issues as they come up for me.
Some of my concerns before therapy were that I was not going to be able to open up, but now, I feel like I can open up to a lot of people and it has helped me since my last session.
I developed a great relationship with Bella – better than I ever expected. She focused on crucial responses, was to the point, and practical.
I appreciated Bella’s tools on how to fix the problem, her knowledge about anxiety, and being able to talk to an unbiased source.
Ernie is an excellent listener, engaged, and passionate about helping his patients. Thank you!
I had no belief in the efficacy of psychotherapy but after experiencing Mr. Schmidt’s weekly sessions my feelings about therapy changed. I found it quite helpful.
Lisa is a great listener and has such great energy. I always felt like I was talking to a good friend after talking with her and I learned a lot of good techniques too!
Invaluable support during a very difficult time in my life. Lisa helped me review recent negative events and formulate positive responses to them.
I learned to open up and talk more about what is going on in my life, learned helpful techniques on how to manage and overcome anxiety. Therapy helped to raise my self-esteem and confidence too.
Initially I thought therapists just listen, and don’t offer practical suggestions. Working with Lisa became more of an emotional workshop, learning tools to not just figure out thoughts and feelings, but tools to maintain emotional health.
I was concerned about bringing a child that young to see a therapist… And making sure it is a good therapist… The right therapist… I feel great now!
I was worried about judgmental thoughts and the people I would meet, but everyone was so supportive.
Loved the understanding within the environment & learning about how others struggle with similar problems.
It’s a great benefit to anyone with anxiety issues and helpful with ways to combat it.
It was informative, thorough, and very helpful. Most definitely worth it!
I found it easier to share with the group than expected and doing the in-class exercise was helpful.
The group aspect was largely helpful. Hearing my peers share and respond back to me was extremely eye opening.
It will make you feel less alone and more confident in everyday life.
The experience was really great. I got to be in a supportive group with teens like me.
I have been in therapy for many years individually but never a group. I was worried I would be a “freak” with totally different issues than anyone else. Rather than being different like I feared, I was shocked at how other people had the same issues and thoughts as me. I didn’t even realize how badly I needed to be with other people who understand my feelings. I no longer feel like a “freak” for what my brain does because I know plenty of others who do the exact same weird things as me.
I love that you get the feel of working in a private practice but still have co-workers around you. Everyone shares resources and they are team oriented. What I especially liked about PAT is that they really try to match you with the clients that you want to work with and that you are passionate about. There is so much opportunity for training. PAT is the perfect place for a therapist to do what they love-therapy!
I have worked at Palo Alto Therapy for many years and really enjoy the supportive and positive environment. There is a lot of emphasis placed on continuing to learn new skills and grow. The care coordinators are excellent and offer support around setting up new clients, billing, dealing with insurance, etc. which allows me to focus on providing quality therapy. It is so nice to work in community with the other therapists who are always willing to offer support and consultation as needed. I would highly recommend working at Palo Alto Therapy.
Palo Alto Therapy (PAT) is a very positive work environment. The practice goes above and beyond to offer regular consultation and training opportunities and promote a supportive culture. The care coordinators and administrative team are exceptional allowing therapists to focus on their clinical work. There is a fair amount of autonomy with ensuring clients are a good fit via consultations and with scheduling. The systems in place facilitate ease with telehealth and the office space is comfortable and inviting for clients. Overall, one of the best places I have worked.
The kindness and thoughtfulness of everyone at PAT has been something I’m not used to from past jobs. It’s been such a wonderful feeling knowing how much we all care about each other and are there for each other whether it comes to a busy day or just a hard day in general. I’m so thankful to work somewhere where the random acts of kindness are genuine and meaningful and people actually care. I can’t imagine working somewhere else just because of how caring and wonderful the staff is.
I was so sad to leave Palo Alto Therapy (PAT). One of the greatest things about working at PAT was the invaluable learning opportunities. Ernie Schmidt was my mentor and opened up a whole new world of therapy techniques that I would not have learned without him and will never forget. He is so dedicated to PAT, clients, and staff and was always available to help me whenever I was stuck with a client and also to provide me with support. The clients at Palo Alto Therapy were also great to work with and I learned a great deal from them as well. I will forever be indebted to Ernie and PAT will always have a warm place in my heart.
I really enjoy the team atmosphere and getting to know so many different people. Not only have I developed relationships with the staff and therapists here, but I have a chance to speak with our clients and get to know them on an individual basis. I feel good about the work that I do here and I feel appreciated by Ernie as well as the therapists. It’s a calm and inviting atmosphere and I enjoy the strengths that each therapist brings to this company.
Palo Alto Therapy is a rewarding and didactic place to work. The office is truly a team atmosphere with a warm and knowledgeable group of colleagues and administrative staff. I have seen significant and continuous advancement in my effectiveness as a clinician as a result of sophisticated and educational consultation, supervision, training experiences, and leadership opportunities.
In my experience, the clients who seek care at Palo Alto Therapy are motivated, high functioning, very engaged in their treatment, and devoted to doing what it takes to improve their lives.
I recommend this workplace to other motivated clinicians in the field hoping to advance their clinical knowledge, provide excellent care to their clients, and establish a long-term career with a great team.
Palo Alto Therapy is a wonderful place to work. The therapists are friendly and energetic and make my work day fun. It is a team environment and Ernie reinforces every employee’s strengths and makes me feel good about the work I do on a daily basis. My tasks include but are not limited to answering phones, scheduling appointments, greeting clients, verifying insurance coverage for out of network PPO plans, creating invoices for clients so they can submit their payments to insurance, corresponding with clients and colleagues via email and mail, collecting payments and verifying that charges for all clients have been received and are up to date on a bi-weekly basis and other office related administrative duties.
If you work for Palo Alto Therapy you can expect to see a diverse clientele and learn about anxiety disorders, depression and their treatments. I’ve learned a lot about cognitive behavioral therapy and the different approaches each therapist uses to help their clients achieve their goals. Ernie likes for all of his administrative staff to develop an understanding of what the therapists do so we can place clients with the best therapist for their needs. I enjoy the work I do on a daily basis and I am happy to be a part of the Palo Alto Therapy team.
The results I achieved with CBT was unimaginable. I started as a skeptic, now I am a convert, after reaping the benefits of CBT. Thank you!
Initially I thought therapists just listen, and don’t offer practical suggestions. Working with Lisa became more of an emotional workshop, learning tools to not just figure out thoughts and feelings, but tools to maintain emotional health.
Overtime I learned to implement the solutions that were discussed to other challenges I came across.
I just want you guys to be able to help more people. I benefited immensely and my life has changed because of your service.
I liked the opportunity to talk with someone about my problems, someone who I was sure I could trust and who is an expert. Thank you for helping me feel normal.
I found the homework exercises to be very helpful to me. I’ve been able to use techniques I have learned from those exercises to slow down my thoughts when problems arise and work through whatever the issue may be, OCD or otherwise.
I am very pleased with the outcome of this counseling. Your suggestions were very helpful and you were respectful of my beliefs and I greatly appreciate that. You were warm and caring, thus I was able to be more comfortable to discuss my problems. I am so glad I came to see you, thank you.
I liked the emphasis on doing concrete things to get results-writing down negative thoughts, trying to say things to counter those thoughts, etc.
I really enjoyed how flexible the conversation was. It seemed like you were really paying attention and interested.
Palo Alto Therapy does not just provide talk therapy, but focuses on teaching skills to maintain therapy. You have a genuine interest in the client’s well-being and you offered a new way of thinking about or means of addressing my issues.
There was nothing that I dislike. The process of communicating my thoughts was very difficult, but you were extremely helpful in throwing out ideas to help me focus on my inner thoughts.
I really liked my therapist’s personality and style. He brought to each session a comfortable blend of enthusiasm, empathy, humor, and practicality.
I appreciate everything you did for me. You aided my exploration of my innermost thoughts and helped me to analyze them.
The counseling I received from you has been a very positive life changing experience for me. I don’t like having OCD but it is no longer consuming my life and I really feel like I have made such great progress in squashing it without using medication. I can’t thank you enough.
Thank you for helping me make my life better. For being patient and understanding. For giving me something to look forward to every week. For listening when even I didn’t understand what I was trying to say. For walking through the steps with me. Thanks for the lectures and even the homework that have helped me gain confidence in myself.
I recognize that cognitive therapy has a great power to change brain chemistry and I was amazed at the positive results of just four visits. I think you are an outstanding therapist.
I liked the non-judgmental environment, patience, and good listening and view points.
I haven’t forgotten what you have done for me. You taught me how to get rid of my fixed thoughts, etc.. A thousand times thank you.
I felt like you really understood me and did a good job elaborating on what I was saying.
I really got a sense of empowerment and have felt like a strong person because of it.
I didn’t know what to expect, I suppose I was just looking to talk to someone again like my last therapist. I didn’t know that I would actually be learning things like:
- Slowing down my thinking
- Taking my self out of the situation so I can see that things really aren’t as bad as they seem
- Taking time to trust other people…Not automatically deeming them good or bad
- Recording my thoughts and emotions
- View myself the way my friends do
- Becoming less anxious
I appreciate the lessons I learned concerning my thought patterns and how to overpower my obsessive thinking. I have a better understanding of how life is viewed through the eyes of others.
I have more hope and a more positive attitude about the future.
I have more hope and a more positive attitude about the future because I gained a lot of tools and information that I can put to use to help me achieve the level I want to achieve.
I found it helpful to talk about my problems, getting better insight on how my thought pattern affects the way I feel, and learning different ways to control my thoughts.
The office location and setting is peaceful and very calming. The quick mood survey before each visit helped to recap the week and recognize progress.
Your understanding is very fast, if I explain a situation you seem to understand what I feel at that moment. It is very good and fast.
Humor seemed to help a lot to make stressful situations actually look funny. It helped me see myself from a distance and think about the situation.
I thought I wouldn’t get anywhere, but I did.
Thank you for helping me make my life better.
I am so glad I came to see you.
There was always a solution to overcome the problem and challenges that were resolved during the sessions.
The results I achieved with CBT was unimaginable. I started as a skeptic, now I am a convert, after reaping the benefits of CBT. Thank you!
I’ve been able to use techniques I have learned from the exercises to slow down my thoughts when problems arise and work through whatever the issue may be, OCD or otherwise.
You’ve written this book in such an open and honest manner. It is easy to read, entertaining, and very helpful. I truly appreciate how you have presented skills.
I particularly like that Mr. Schmidt has included his own personal experiences with anxiety in a number of common situations; they show how he reacted to different scenarios and how he handled them.
I’ve learned so much from this book. Ernest obviously knows his stuff and has a great natural ability to pass that knowledge on to others. He’s helped me to understand that anxiety is just an emotion that I can deal with!