School Based Therapist

CounselorNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$52k

Listing transparency3 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
No weekends
Posted 2h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), is a leading not-for-profit organization providing healing, justice and wholeness to people and communities. For over 150 years, LSSI has made a difference in the lives of children and families, and we're still a strong, viable presence in the State of Illinois, continuing that commitment to making a difference.

LSSI is hiring a full-time School Based Therapist, Monday through Friday. Provides therapy, community support and case management to clients using a variety of evidence-based interventions that focus on targeted behavior, emotional and social skills building, academic support, and linkage to concrete community resources and services.

Benefits and Perks

LSSI is growing! Come be a part of this rewarding environment, and enjoy the knowledge that you’re helping make a positive difference in the lives of others, as well as these career advantages:

  • On Demand Flexible Paydays for earned wages through an app called Dayforce Wallet.
  • Competitive salary based upon relevant education, experience, and licensure.
  • Salary $52,000/Annually.
  • Opportunity for advancement.

Comprehensive benefits package for Full-Time employees includes healthcare insurance, up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year, 11 paid holidays, sick time, 403(b) plan, Employee Assistance Program, and flexible hours.

The paid training you need to learn, grow, and succeed!

Essential Functions

Provide individual and family therapy, community support and case management and potentially therapy to groups with a trauma based focused lens.

  • Work with children and adolescents ages four (4) to twenty-one (21).
  • Assess clients for risk of harm and make appropriate referrals to more intensive services.

Participate as a member of the behavioral health team in assigned CPS schools and track referrals that are made.

Consult with school personnel, parent/guardian, and outside providers regarding students' progress in treatment and needs.

Assist parents in engaging fully in their child's education and mental health treatment.

Demonstrate professional, positive behavior and carry out responsibilities with integrity, treating clients, families, other LSSI workforce member and collaborative organizations and/or individual in a dignified, respectful, honest and fair manner.

  • Position Qualifications
  • Master's degree in social work or counseling required.
  • Obtain and maintain certification in IMCANS required
  • Background check clearance, criminal, DCFS and CPS required
  • Experience working with children and adolescents ages four (4) to twenty-one (21) preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear, comprehensible manner, both verbally and in writing.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative community partnerships required.

Excellent organization, presentation and pc/computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) along with other related software.

  • Valid driver's license, in good standing for the state of residency required.
  • Valid IL statutory minimum liability insurance coverage, bodily injury and property damage required.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, pregnancy, any other characteristic protected by law.

Key Responsibilities

Provide individual and family therapy, case management, and community support to children and adolescents within Chicago Public Schools. Collaborate with school personnel, parents, and external providers to support students' mental health and academic progress.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree in social work or counseling and certification in IMCANS. Candidates must have a valid driver's license and pass criminal, DCFS, and CPS background checks.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Individual therapyTrauma-informed careCrisis assessmentCommunity resource linkageCommunication skillsCollaborationPresentation skills

Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 32% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 6.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$52k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $52k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks34 jobs · 30 employers

401k / retirement match
91% this job
CME allowance
53%
Sign-on bonus
32%
Loan repayment
24%
PSLF eligible
15%

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Work-life snapshot

5.4/ 10
Listing-based score
  • No weekends

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.

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois logo

About Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Non-profit Organizations
Des Plaines, IL
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

On Demand Flexible Paydays through Dayforce Wallet
Comprehensive benefits package
Up to 26 days of paid time off per calendar year
11 paid holidays
Sick time
403(b) plan
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible hours