Lake Behavioral Hospital logo
Lake Behavioral Hospital
Waukegan, Illinois

Program Therapist (FT) (Outpatient Services)

CounselorIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$60K–$66K Salary

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Lake Behavioral Hospital - Waukegan, IL 60085Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $60,000.00 - $66,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: DayJOIN OUR TEAM AS A PROGRAM THERAPIST (IOP) (FT) OUTPATIENT SERVICES - $2,000 Sign On Bonus Your Work Matters How will you make a difference?

Hours

8am – 4:30pm The Program Therapist performs social services functions to include assisting patients in meeting their bio psychosocial needs while enabling them to access through therapeutic treatment skills to achieve their optimal level of emotional health, including providing basic consultation, teaching, complete specialized clinical social work services for patients/families receiving care, crisis intervention, short-term and long-term family therapy, and providing information and referrals as needed.

The program therapist will be expected to assist in the intensive outpatient department and inpatient departments as needed.

Facilitate group therapy sessions (IOP/PHP and SA-focused groups as needed) Complete intake assessments and diagnostic formulations Review/obtain consents and required documentation for services Coordinate care and handoffs with medical providers and case management Document timely and accurately in the EHR per policy and payer standards Your Experience Matters What we’re looking for: Education: Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, in Social Work or a clinical related mental health field preferred.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience in family and group therapies, crisis intervention, and treatment skills; and have strong clinical assessment skills preferred. Knowledge with IOP, PHP, and or SUD groups.

License: Must possess an Illinois State license LPC or LSW required. Additional Requirements: CPR certification and management of aggressive behavior training within 30 days of employment prior to assisting in a restraining procedure.

Your Care Matters What we provide for our team: 401 (k) + matching Health insurance 100% company –paid life insurance coverage up to 2x your annual salary Vision insurance Dental insurance 100% company –paid long term disability insurance Paid time off Paid holidays Cafeteria on site + discounted meals Employee engagement events Employee assistance program Employee recognition program Free parking What sets us apart: Career & training development opportunities Dynamic and inclusive work environment Engaged management team dedicated to your success A guiding mission and set of values that serve as both our north star and yours, anchoring our collective purpose and aspirations Compensation: This is a full-time role and the expected compensation is $60,000 - $66,000 plus a $2,000 Sign on bonus.

We’re eager to engage with all qualified candidates, and consideration will be provided to experience and skill level. Join us as our Program Therapist. Get to know us Outstanding Care, Compassionate People, Unparalleled Service Discover a fulfilling career at Lake Behavioral Hospital (LBH)!

We are a 161-bed acute care facility located in Waukegan, IL and has been providing mental health treatment to the community and the state of Illinois since 2018. We are dedicated to offering services to meet the ever-changing emotion and behavioral healthcare needs of adolescents, adults, and their families.

We offer specialized inpatient programs and outpatient services proven to decrease symptoms of mental illness and we are committed to help people live healthier lives.

Our compassionate and experienced team of psychiatrists, licensed therapists, nurses and support staff are here to create an atmosphere of health, hope, and healing.

Join us in providing exceptional care and contributing to the well-being of individuals and families in need, and be a part of the transformative healthcare experience at Lake Behavioral Hospital.

To learn more about LBH, visit us at: https://www.lakebehavioralhospital.com/ TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE POSITIVE I.M.P.A.C.T.S. Individuals Maintaining Positive Attitude and Commitment To Service Qualifications

Key Responsibilities

The Program Therapist performs social services functions, including conducting intake assessments, facilitating group therapy sessions, and providing crisis intervention. They are responsible for coordinating patient care with medical providers and maintaining accurate documentation in the electronic health record.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Social Work or a related mental health field and possess an Illinois State license (LPC or LSW). A minimum of two years of experience in a psychiatric health care facility is required, along with strong clinical assessment skills.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Diagnostic formulationIntake assessmentElectronic health recordsSubstance use disorder treatmentPsychiatric careTreatment planning

Counselor Career Context

Lake Behavioral Hospital ranks #16 of 19 employers hiring Counselor on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% are remote, 28% have no call, 68% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$63k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution39 jobs · 28 employers

11
<$75k
9
$75k-90k
11
$90k-105k
3
$105k-120k
5
$120k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks38 jobs · 28 employers

401k / retirement match
89% this job
CME allowance
61%
Sign-on bonus
42% this job
Loan repayment
16%
PSLF eligible
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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LifeStance Health · Madison, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#2

Remote Licensed Talk Therapist - Fee For Service

Thriveworks · Massachusetts

$124k
#3

Licensed Talk Therapist - Fee For Service

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Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.3this job 5.1
Better work-life than 40% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,885 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call

Living in Waukegan

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$255k≈ 4.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,687/mo≈ 34% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
26 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Lake Behavioral Hospital logo

About Lake Behavioral Hospital

Hospitals and Health Care
Waukegan, IL
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

401(k) with matching
Health insurance
100% company-paid life insurance
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
100% company-paid long-term disability
Paid time off
Paid holidays