One Life Counseling Center: Early Childhood Mental Health Peer Counselor
One Life Counseling Center is seeking an Early Childhood Mental Health Peer Counselor to provide short-term, skill-based support, case management, psychoeducation, and group-based services to young children and their caregivers in community settings. This role offers individuals with lived experience a meaningful opportunity to promote wellness, resilience, and healthy relationships through emotional support and effective coping strategies. The ECMH Peer Counselor works with families of children ages 0–5, delivering non-clinical, strengths-based services that enhance social-emotional development, connect families to resources, and increase access to mental health services. It’s important to note that Peer Counselors are not clinical providers; their work is non-diagnostic and does not include psychotherapy or treatment planning. This position is well-suited for those interested in becoming Certified Peer Support Specialists in California and pursuing a career in mental health. The counselor will report directly to the ECMH Director and Clinical Supervisor while performing all assigned essential job functions.
About One Life Counseling Center:
One Life Counseling Center is a leading nonprofit counseling organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. With nine locations across San Mateo and San Francisco Counties, we are dedicated to providing accessible, evidence-based mental health services. Our therapists offer linguistically and culturally competent support to immigrants, economically disadvantaged individuals, and those without sufficient insurance coverage. Our Mission is to ensure easy access to counseling, education, and service opportunities. Also to empower individuals to improve their overall well-being.
Responsibilities
Provide supportive peer counseling to parents and caregivers of children ages 0–5.
Visit four area preschools each month to provide support to teachers and families and assist in preventing preschool expulsion through connection to appropriate services.
Collaborate with ECMH Consultants to connect children and families from partner preschools to services offered through One Life Counseling Center and community agencies.
Offer case management and resource navigation services to families, including assistance accessing mental health services and community resources.
Collaborate with clinicians to provide additional support to families receiving therapeutic services.
Support families participating in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) services in collaboration with clinical providers and Occupational Therapists.
Engage with families participating in One Life's Monday Market by providing relational support and referral pathways to mental health and community-based services.
Lead or co-facilitate parent-child groups that promote secure attachment, healthy relationships, and early developmental growth.
Provide skill-based group support and psychoeducational services for children and/or caregivers at partner sites.
Assist in crisis situations in collaboration with licensed clinical staff and follow established agency protocols.
Participate in outreach activities and community events to connect families to services available through One Life Counseling Center.
Work collaboratively with the Referral Coordinator to assist families in navigating insurance and accessing mental health services.
Distribute First 5 educational materials and resources as appropriate.
Attend weekly supervision, monthly staff meetings, and ongoing professional development opportunities related to early childhood development and peer support.
Qualifications
Experience working with young children and families from diverse backgrounds.
Bilingual in Spanish and English strongly preferred.
Knowledge of early childhood development, trauma-informed care, and community resources is desirable.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with children and families.
Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Reliable transportation to One Life Counseling Center locations in Redwood City and\San Carlos and to preschool sites located from East Palo Alto to South San Francisco, including Coastside locations.
Professional Expectations
The ECMH Peer Counselor will:
Demonstrate cultural humility and provide culturally responsive services to children and families from diverse backgrounds.
Maintain professional boundaries and practice within the scope of peer support services.
Adhere to all legal, ethical, and agency requirements regarding confidentiality and professional conduct.
Follow crisis response protocols and immediately notify their Clinical Supervisor regarding mandated reporting concerns (including CPS and APS reports) and other crisis situations.
Attend one hour of weekly clinical supervision.
Attend monthly All Staff Meetings held on the last Tuesday of each month from 8:30–9:00 a.m. via Zoom unless otherwise noted.
Participate in ongoing trainings related to early childhood mental health, peer support, trauma-informed care, and family engagement.
Code of Ethics & Professional Standards
All Peer Counselors are expected to adhere to the California Peer Support Specialist Code of Ethics, including:
Integrity: Maintain honesty, reliability, and transparency in all professional interactions.
Self-Determination: Respect each individual's autonomy and right to make informed choices.
Empathy: Lead with compassion, respect, and understanding.
Confidentiality: Protect client privacy unless disclosure is legally required.
Cultural Responsiveness: Honor and respect all aspects of identity, culture, and lived experience.
Professional Boundaries: Maintain appropriate peer-client relationships and practice within the scope of the role.
Mutuality: Foster mutual respect and shared humanity while recognizing the limits of the peer support relationship.
Compensation
Part-time position (up to 15 hours per week).
Regular Monday availability is required to provide support during the Monday Market and other scheduled groups and meetings.
Compensation is commensurate with experience: $28–$31 per hour.
This is an in-person position requiring regular travel between One Life Counseling Center locations and partner preschool sites throughout San Mateo County.
To Apply
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter by Wednesday, August 5, 2026:
Michelle@onelifecounselingservices.com
with “ECMH Peer Counselor” in the subject line.