Therapist

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Clinical Manager, the Therapist position provides direct intervention to children, teens, young adults, families and couples. This position is responsible for conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and delivering therapeutic interventions that support emotional well-being, strengthen family systems, and promote positive youth development. The therapist will work collaboratively with Youth and Family Services staff, schools, community partners, and other social service agencies to ensure coordinated care for clients.

Essential Job Functions:

• Oversee and maintain a full caseload (66 hours of direct practice per month) of outpatient therapy cases that satisfy yearly departmental statistical expectations.
• Manage client caseloads effectively by identifying and addressing gaps in service utilizing best clinical practices.
• Complete intake and assessments through direct clinical interview.
• Complete all required documentation according to departmental standards, practices and procedures.
• Provide school/community-based groups at the elementary, middle and high schools in School District U-46.
• Develop and provide community education workshops on topics related to the needs of the community.
• Participate in one-on-one clinical supervision session weekly and group supervision two times per month, following established protocol.
• Follow established departmental protocols concerning evaluation of practice.
• Work cooperatively with Youth and Family Services staff to develop and participate in programming.
• Attend and actively participate in department staff meetings.
• Actively participate in the development, implementation and completion of yearly departmental goals.
• Follow the Department of Children and Family Services mandated reporting laws, and departmental protocol concerning expectations on reporting.
• Participate on community-based planning committees as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality per the Confidentiality Act of the State of Illinois.
• Attend and represent department at community events or fairs as directed.
• Responsible for some Township event planning and assists in coordinating interdepartmental events as requested.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Licensed Therapists (LCSW, LCPC, LMFT) will be assigned graduate level interns, as needed.

Other Job Functions:

• Performs all other duties as assigned by the Clinical Manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to independently manage time to successfully complete intakes and necessary documentation.
• Capacity to identify and manage multiple projects, programs and services in an efficient and effective manner.
• Patience in working with individuals that may have behavioral and mental limitations.
• Advanced knowledge of treatment theories, positive youth development, trauma-informed care and clinical practice required.
• Training and experience in providing therapy to children.
• Self-aware about transference and counter transference reactions and how to use these to improve treatment.
• Capacity to effectively manage strong emotions, mediate value conflicts and manage clinically complex cases.
• Familiarity with Social Work best practices and theories.
• Ability to clearly convey instructions to supervisees or colleagues. Capable of speaking clearly and effectively before groups of people and answering questions appropriately.
• Ability to read, research, and analyze periodicals, professional journals and government laws and regulations.
• Ability to maintain effective professional relationships with elected officials, staff, residents, parents, and vendors.
• Ability to interface effectively with diverse populations, including ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic backgrounds and read multiple environments.

Education, Experience, and Computer Skills:

• Master’s degree in counseling psychology, Clinical Social Work, Clinical Psychology or Marriage and Family Therapy or related field.
• One year of experience working with children, adolescents and/or families.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Extensive knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications including, but not limited to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to use and manage an electronic medical records system.

Special Requirements:

• Willingness to work regular evenings and occasional weekends.