Primary Therapist

Primary Therapist

IL-Chicago Erie

Who We Are

At ERC Pathlight, we're on a mission to change lives—and we're looking for people who feel called to do the same.

As one of the nation's leading treatment providers for eating disorders and mood, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions, we bring innovative, evidence-based, and deeply compassionate care to patients across the country. With multiple locations nationwide and extensive virtual programming, we meet patients exactly where they are and help them move toward lasting recovery.

Founded in 2008 by renowned psychiatrists and psychologists, ERC Pathlight now supports more than 6,000 patients each year. And as the need for world-class mental health care continues to rise, our commitment is stronger than ever: to expand access, elevate the standard of care, and empower every patient to rebuild their life with dignity and hope.

Why Join Us

When you join ERC Pathlight, you become part of a team that shows up every day to make a real difference. You'll work alongside passionate clinicians, dedicated support staff, and mission-driven leaders who believe in collaboration, growth, and doing the right thing—always.

Here, your work matters. Your ideas matter. You matter.

If you're energized by purpose, motivated by impact, and ready to help transform the future of mental health treatment, you belong here.

Come build hope. Come save lives. Come grow with us.

The Primary Therapist conducts individual, family, and group therapy (adults, children and adolescents) on topics such as mood, anxiety, stress and eating disorders; conducts individual and family therapy and/or family education sessions; develops each patient's individualized treatment plan; and works with interdisciplinary treatment team to implement the plan.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Facilitates curriculum-based groups and uses appropriate documentation
  • Appropriate and timely documentation of all group facilitation
• Provides meal monitoring and support
  • Provides meal support through coaching and skills per treatment team
  • Documents timely and appropriately meal-related forms
  • Participates in therapeutic meals and snacks with patients
• Conducts psychotherapy sessions including individual and family therapy
  • Appropriate and timely documentation of all sessions
• Completes required documentation including, but not limited to:
  • Appropriate documentation of weekly contact with outpatient providers
  • Appropriate documentation with family members
• For each patient on case load, completes clinical paperwork including (but not limited to):
  • Treatment plans
  • Individual and Family Therapy progress notes and group notes.
  • Wellness plan
  • Aftercare plan
  • Conducts comprehensive assessments and treatment planning for each patient on case load (CSSRS or behavioral plans as needed)
  • Discharge summary
• Participates in treatment team meetings, huddles, and other facility meetings to coordinate patient's care with interdisciplinary team
• Participates in clinical supervision meetings and trainings
• Supports milieu management including (but not limited to):
  • De-escalation and crisis management
  • Bathroom monitoring
  • Monitoring outside breaks
  • Conducts self-harm and suicide assessment
  • Support morning routine in IP/Res programs
  • Collect weights, vitals and urine in some settings
  • Implements individual behavior management plans for some patients and serves as clinical lead for the program in some programs in evenings and weekends

Primary Therapist I must haves:

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related (required)
• Provisional therapy license with appropriate state licensing board (required)
• Collaborative nature and strong communication within multi-disciplinary team (required)
• 1+ year of facilitating groups (preferred)

Primary Therapist II must haves:

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related (required)
• Provisional therapy license with appropriate state licensing board (required)
• Has carried individual and/or family caseload for at least 18 months (required)
• Ability to move from one task to the next with ease, flexibility (required)
• Collaborative nature, strong communication within a multi-disciplinary team (required)

Primary Therapist III must haves:

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related (required)
• Has obtained and maintains an independent mental health license as required by state to practice individual therapy (required)
• Has carried significant individual and/or family caseload for at least 2 years (required)

Primary Therapist IV must haves:

• Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) or Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology from an APA Accredited program (required)
• Has obtained and maintains an independent mental health license as required by state to practice individual therapy (required)
• Has carried significant individual and/or family caseload for at least 2 years with documented success in treating patients with common diagnoses and expected comorbidities (required)

The compensation range for this position is based upon candidate experience and market expectations.

Illinois Pay Range

$56,000 - $103,000 USD

What We Offer

At ERC Pathlight, caring for people is our mission and that begins with caring for our own team. Your well-being matters, and our benefit program is designed to support every part of your life.

We offer competitive compensation; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous Paid Time Off; Parental Leave benefits; Retirement benefits; and tuition reimbursement to help you continue growing in your career.

We also recognize that mental health is part of every person's experience. That's why we strive to create a workplace where you feel supported, seen, and encouraged—personally, professionally, and at home.

When you thrive, you can do your best work. And your best work changes lives.