Therapist - South Suburban

Bilingual (Spanish Speaking) Therapist

The Therapist is responsible for providing crisis intervention, short- or long-term therapy and group counseling for children, adolescents and adult victims of sexual assault/abuse and their non-offending significant others. The Therapist actively supports the promotion of synergy across YWCA programs and in Racial Justice work.

The Therapist collaborates with the Manager Clinical Program, other SVSS staff members; members; Volunteers; and YWCA staff members.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide short-term or longer-term counseling/therapy for children, adolescents and adult victims of sexual assault/abuse and their non-offending significant others. Facilitate group services and workshops for members. Provide telephone and in-person crisis intervention, information, and referral, as needed, and monitor member intake and member caseload. Conduct individual and group intake screening. Maintain an active caseload of designated members (an average of 18-20 clients). Provide advocacy referral for members to legal, medical and social services systems when needed. (75%)
• Maintain comprehensive member records as required. Maintain all data entry and statistical records for multiple funding sources regarding counseling services performed. Maintain member confidentiality as required by law and funding sources. (10%)
• Collaborate with other Therapists in Clinical team meetings and regularly participate in group consultations. Participate in regular reflective supervision meetings as required. Complete twelve hours per year of continuing education in providing counseling services, with at least six of those hours addressing the specific member populations served. Complete other continuing education and training as set by ICASA or other agencies/funders. (10%)
• Establish and sustain community contacts to develop and advance the SVSS public presence and referral base. Participate and provide leadership in appropriate local, state and national sexual assault, mental health and human services coalitions. Consult with outside community members and groups to help design and implement new services, or target underserved populations, as needed. Assist with planning and implementing special programs.

Other duties may include public speaking responsibilities specific to programming and public policy issues and carrying representative responsibilities to other groups, agencies, and organizations. May recruit, train and evaluate and/or supervise program volunteers.

Qualifications: A minimum of one year of experience in counseling is required. Previous experience in working with trauma populations, specifically with survivors of sexual violence preferred. Previous training in sexual assault or related issues is highly preferred. The ability to work collaboratively or independently, as situations require, is necessary. Requires a basic skill level in MS Outlook; specific program data entry needs require skills in MS Office, specifically in Excel. Knowledge of databases such as Infonet is advantageous.

Skills in creativity, innovation and ease in engaging members are highly preferred. The ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations is necessary. Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with victims/families are required. Social perception and cultural awareness are required for this role. The role requires a strong service orientation and complex problem solving skills. The Therapist must be effective regarding use of time and able to prioritize work assignments.

Professional Training Required: Complete the ICASA forty-hour sexual assault crisis intervention training within thirty days of employment start date (if not completed within the prior two years). Complete ongoing continuing education as required. Complete other continuing education and training as set by ICASA or other agencies/funders.

Note: A bilingual Therapist must have cultural competency and conversational and written fluency in the language (Spanish speaking) of the population that is served.

Education Required: A Master's degree MA, MSW, etc. from an accredited college or university.

Certification / License Required: A holder of a Master's degree should be licensed, or working toward becoming licensed. (Illinois Department of Professional Regulation Licensure as: LPC, LCPC, LSW or LCSW.)

Other Requirements: This position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

Work Environment: The position requires working in an office where survivors of trauma and assault, and their family members, are present. As such, the Therapist must be able to professionally handle unexpected crises. The essential functions of the position require operation of computers and other office equipment and movement between offices. The noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking, stooping or kneeling. There may be a need to reach or to lift objects, such as packages or supplies. Communication needs include seeing, hearing and speaking. While in the office, there will be periods of sitting, holding a telephone and using computers. Travel to other locations in the city or other regions of Illinois may be required. Reasonable accommodations will be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.

Work Schedule: Monday Friday, this position requires work a minimum of two evenings/week. Schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency.