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CTSHealth
Chicago, Illinois

Outpatient Therapist (Contractor)

CounselorContract

Listed compensation

$28.85-$35/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: NP IL - Chicago, IL 60612Position Type: ContractorSalary Range: $28.85 - $35.00 Hourly Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment. Perform assessments and behavioral screening as assigned, and update as required.

Maintain an hourly billable caseload of minimum 25 per week. Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives and help them to develop insight into themselves and their relationships. Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems.

Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports. Counsel clients and patients, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes. Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, and tests.

Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge and update as required. Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments and develop treatment plans.

Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition based on review of client information. Meet with families, probation officers, police, and other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.

Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary. Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.

Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives. Plan, organize and lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, and social activities for clients.

Modify treatment activities and approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status. Learn about new developments in their field by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, and establishing maintaining contact with other social service agencies.

Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment. Perform assessments and behavioral screening as assigned and update as required. Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy. Monitor clients' use of medications.

Plan and conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health and counseling services. Run workshops and courses about mental health issues.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in a human service field and must possess and maintain full or provisional Licensure Status (LCSW, PLCSW, LPC, LPCA, LCASA eligible or Ph. D.) Behavioral Screening Certification if required

Key Responsibilities

The therapist is responsible for conducting clinical assessments, developing treatment plans, and providing individual and group counseling to clients. They must maintain a minimum billable caseload of 25 hours per week and coordinate with families and community resources.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a human service field and maintain full or provisional licensure (e.g., LCSW, LPC). Behavioral Screening Certification may be required depending on the specific assignment.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentTreatment PlanningIndividual CounselingGroup TherapyCrisis InterventionCase ManagementPatient AdvocacyMental Health CounselingSubstance Abuse Prevention

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 54% are remote, 30% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$66k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $66k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Counselor Jobs

38 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution38 jobs · 28 employers

11
<$75k
9
$75k-90k
11
$90k-105k
5
$105k-120k
2
$120k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks37 jobs · 28 employers

401k / retirement match
89%
CME allowance
59%
Sign-on bonus
43%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

Gotham Enterprises · Centerton, Arkansas

$115k-$120k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Gotham Enterprises · Olympia, Washington

$115k-$120k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

$90k-$115k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

$72k-$115k
+ 36 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.3this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

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

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo
Residents’ average commute
33 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.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.