WHO WE ARE:

Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Services Manager or designated supervisor; the Community Based Therapist carries a caseload of young people, which include community based referrals aged 14-26 years old. Clients are typically referred into services due to involvement with Cook County Juvenile and/or Adult Probation, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, local schools, and community based organizations. Young people are eligible for services based on a number of criteria that may include homelessness, justice system involvement, disconnection from school or work, or a current status of low income. The therapist is responsible for providing assigned caseload with individual and group therapy services. Treatment is trauma-focused, with common clinical concerns including treatment of trauma symptoms, attachment issues, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, reluctance/resistance to treatment, and a variety of other presenting problems. The therapist may need to be certified in providing different therapies, for example Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), as a specific treatment modality may be indicated by a provider of grant funding. Services will be focused on individual treatment goals related to designated program.

Therapist will assist his or her supervisor with program development for this project, including the selection of a pre-treatment screening tool, and the development and implementation of pre-treatment and post-treatment measures to appropriately track effective treatment outcomes. Therapist will also work in collaboration with the Project Work team on projects related to community based services. This may include supporting community based trauma trainings, involvement in an anti-violence coalition or initiatives related to youth job placement and retention. The majority of services will occur at our office location in the South Shore neighborhood, however the nature of this work will be community focused, (i.e. conducting therapy services in a school or community based setting).

Under the supervision of a licensed clinical supervisor, the therapist will prepare all mental health related documentation such as Mental Health Assessments, Individual Treatment Plans, Quarterly Progress Reports, and contact notes. The therapist will also provide reports and/or testimony for court (as needed), in order to give external stakeholders relevant updates on the client's progress in the program.

This position requires effective verbal communication with staff, community resources and clients/families, as well as ability to provide ongoing required written documentation. Therapist must have effective use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, and knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Must be able to effectively use both verbal and physical crisis intervention skills and techniques with individuals six (6) through twenty-one (21) years of age. Physical intervention skills require the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. Therapist must also maintains flexibility to adjust work schedules according to needs of the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Carries a selected caseload of youth and adults (age 14-26).
• Focus on a specified modality of treatment (i.e. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) as indicated by the funding resource.
• Individual, Group, and Family Therapy, based on the needs of the young people in services.
• Formulates and frequently reviews treatment plans with supervisor.
• Takes leadership in the planning and facilitation of clinical consultation with relevant staff.
• Provides data, relays information and consults about treatment goals with relevant staff.
• Works with other staff in coordination of efforts to reach the treatment goals established.
• Works closely with other staff to meet the needs of youth and adults in services, through participation in team meetings, youth staffing meetings, and site supervisor meetings.
• Attends agency seminars and trainings to increase professional knowledge and skills.
• Determines with the team, needs for adjunctive community programs (schools, recreation, jobs, vocational opportunities, medical, etc.).
• Locates and evaluates resources as needed; works closely with case management team to facilitate referrals for supportive services.
• Liaison/facilitator in community, employers, schools, police and neighborhood situations.
• Ability to work effectively with clients and staff in a culturally diverse environment.
• Documents contact with youth, family, staff and any professional consultation.
• Assist with program development, including the selection of a pre-treatment screening tool, and the development and implementation of pre-treatment and post-treatment measures to appropriately track effective treatment outcomes.
• Develop trainings and conduct consultation services with community members and stakeholders involved in the lives of the clients to support and teach others about recognizing and managing clinical issues, and crisis response.
• Tracks and evaluates services and prepares monthly reports as requested.
• Documents all provided services as required by agency policy.
• Shares reports, projects, and any other work completed citing Lawrence Hall experiences with administrative team.
• Performs the above tasks under close weekly support, supervision, training, and direction of the clinical manager or designated supervisor.
• Attend weekly group supervision hour with clinical colleagues.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills and ability to communicate effectively via email.
• Maintain a professional standard when representing the agency or clients.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's / Doctoral degree in Social Work, Psychology or related Human Service field with LSW or LPC upon hire.
• LCSW or LCPC required upon eligibility.
• Must have a valid Illinois driver's license with no suspensions in effect within the previous three (3) years of hire.
• Must have personal vehicle or access to personal vehicle and provide proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Computer skills required.
• No history of child abuse or neglect.
• Must demonstrate skill in working with adolescents and adults of the type served in the program.
• Ability to pass background clearance and drug screen.
• Ability to work effectively with clients/staff of diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience in adolescent and adult mental health services preferred.

Highlighted benefits

• Provides full time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance for no additional cost
• Reimburses your gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid on your overall fitness and health
• Offers 100% match up to 3% on your retirement savings after 1 year of service
• All employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTO
• Employee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates
• 9 paid holidays off

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V