Mental Health Therapist

Job Title:

Mental Health Therapist – Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois

Effective Date: March 1, 2024

This is a NON-MANAGEMENT position. The Mental Health Therapist is exempt and reports to the Clinical Manager.

Base salary: $54,000 – $58,999 per year. (This range is provided by Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience – talk with your recruiter to learn more.)

to view LCFS’ Full‑Time Employee Benefits.

• Primarily responsible for conducting individual, family and group counseling sessions to assess clients' needs, concerns, and goals and provide appropriate therapeutic interventions. This includes being an effective member of the child and family team, advocating for those served, and working closely with other identified team members to meet the goals of those served. May work extended hours evenings and weekends. May travel in high‑risk communities.
• Works independently and consistently exercises discretion and sound judgement in providing counseling services as well as stabilization and support. Perform thorough assessments to understand clients' emotional, mental, and social backgrounds and create personalized treatment plans.
• Demonstrates the ability to function autonomously and manage workload with minimal administrative supervision. Demonstrates ability to conceptualize advanced therapeutic treatment models and utilize them on clients’ behalf through the course of treatment. Completes all required documentation including high‑quality program‑prescribed assessments, treatment plans, confidential client records, and progress notes in compliance with legal and ethical guidelines in the required timeframe.
• Ability to navigate electronic health record system and create electronic health records.
• Plans and organizes work schedule to meet clinical and consultation responsibilities. Responsible for thorough, timely and accurately written documentation for the client file. Consults with collateral contacts as needed and ensures confidentiality of client in accordance with applicable laws and agency policy. Records all necessary information in the prescribed data systems.
• Meets with and provides clinical supervision to students or staff as assigned by the Manager of Clinical Services or the Clinical Director, meeting all requirements of the student’s placement.
• Meets annual expectations for training and certification. Acquires ongoing skills and knowledge through participation in the supervisory process, and attendance to meetings and conferences both within and outside the Agency.
• Prepared to address critical situations and provide immediate crisis intervention and support to clients in distress.
• Serves as an expert on trauma‑informed treatment for those served and all other team members.
• Secures and maintains evidence of expertise as a trauma‑informed clinical service provider.
• Develops a working knowledge of community resources which may be beneficial to those served.
• Provides professional presentations as requested or required.
• Develops collaborative, ongoing professional relationships with other professionals both within and external to the agency, who are involved in the welfare of those served.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledgeable of and experienced with a variety of evidence and trauma‑informed treatment approaches to clinical work with individuals, couples, families and groups. All treatment approaches utilized must be approved by the Agency.
• Performs their work in a consistent manner and demonstrates the WIDE (Welcoming, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity) values of LCFS. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence; appreciates the impact on groups that have been historically marginalized (people of color, LGBTQ community, women, migrants) and works actively to address these issues.
• Ability to complete quality documentation including Individualized Assessments and Treatment Plan and Medicaid billing notes.
• Knowledge of and ability to understand the Illinois Mental Health Code, Confidentiality Act and the Illinois Child Abuse and…