Behavior Health Therapist, Full-Time

Ignite Org; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career Growth

Health Insurance Contributions

403(b) plan with match

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Paid Time Off and holidays

Disability & Life Insurance

Staff celebrations

Job summary

Requirements include a Master’s degree in social work or a related field, current IL licensure (LCSW/LCPC/LMFT preferred), and at least 2 years of youth therapy experience. Ignite offers a comprehensive benefits package and a values‑driven work environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a closely related field.
• Current Illinois state license (LCSW, LCPC, LMFT) preferred.
• Experience utilizing trauma‑informed and strength‑based approaches.
• Knowledgeable in working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth of color, youth LGBTQ+, youth with trauma, and youth with chronic mental illness.
• At least 2 years of prior young adult or family therapy experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor a mental health treatment plan and safety plans with the client.
• Coordinate comprehensive assessments for housing applications.
• Assess suicide/homicide risk; crisis intervention; involuntary hospitalization if needed.
• Provide individual, group, and creative therapies, including telehealth where appropriate.
• Supervise the Behavior Intervention Counselor and ensure SEL programming aligns with goals.
• Document sessions and maintain organized client files.

Skills

Trauma-informed approaches

Youth homelessness experience

Licensure knowledge (LCSW/LCPC/LMFT)

Therapy for young adults

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Title: Behavior Therapist

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Salary: $60k-$65K

Reports To: Behavior Health Therapist Supervisor

Behavior Therapist

Ignite stands with youth on their journey to a home and a future with promise. We are a leading non‑profit, human services organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for youth, ages 10-26. While Ignite has a long‑standing history that dates to 1976, we continue to create new ways to serve our community. Today, we have more than 63 full‑time and part‑time staff as well as over 100 volunteers who contribute to our mission.

Through housing, education, employment, career planning, financial empowerment, mental health support, and community connection, we enroll more than 800 youth per year, on the path to reaching their full potential. Following their time with Ignite, many of our youth achieve financial stability and move into their own long‑term home. Ignite intends to be the last program our youth will ever need, but the family and place they can always call home. As a 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winner, Ignite is leading the way in creating new housing and service models that help youth put homelessness behind them for good. At Ignite, we envision a world where all young people have the support they need to be defined by their potential, not their circumstances.

Position Summary

Responsible for working as a team member to establish and maintain the collaborative and positive tenor of the Mental Health Team. Responsible for the direct mental health care of youth experiencing homelessness within Ignite’s Residential Programs through individual and group sessions and the direct supervision of the Behavior Intervention Counselor. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of Ignite. Reports directly to the Behavior Health Therapist, Supervisor.

Duties

• Develops and monitors, in partnership with the client, a regularly reviewed mental health treatment plan, and safety plans as needed.
• Coordinates and conducts a comprehensive assessment process for assigned clients, including mental health assessments and documentation as required for housing applications.
• Assess suicide and homicide risk of youth, consult on crisis intervention efforts, and if necessary, involuntary hospitalization.
• Provide a range of therapeutic services including individual therapy (brief intervention and ongoing), group learning sessions, and creative therapies for youth aged 14 – 26 years old within Residential Programs, through trauma‑informed and strength‑based approaches. Makes outside referrals as needed.
• Offers a variety of therapeutic services to community housing program participants in community or via telehealth.
• Completes documentation of therapeutic sessions and maintains organized client files.
• Identifies and works in collaboration with case managers to coordinate resources for direct clinical and psychiatric care, including medication management, of program youth and completes referrals in a timely manner.
• Provide evaluation and assessment as needed to youth within the Bronzeville Youth Shelter (BYS) that have stayed 5 nights or more.
• Develop and implement social and emotional learning (SEL) programming within Ignite in collaboration with the residential programs team based on identified client and/or staff training needs.
• Assist in leading monthly Client Support Team (CST) meetings for Ignite program staff, including training development opportunities including suicide assessments, crisis intervention, safety planning, clinical documentation, and other mental health topics.
• Provide direct supervision to the Behavior Intervention Counselor, ensuring SEL programming is in alignment with Ignite’s core values and program philosophies.
• Coordinates with clients to ensure attendance at and participation in appointments, meetings, and activities.
• Works in collaboration with residential team to coordinate clients’ behavioral health needs.
• Work in collaboration with on‑call manager to provide after‑hours phone consultation as necessary to assist in supporting crisis intervention efforts or hospitalizations.

Community Supported Space

• May be called upon to support both the Transitional Living Program and Basic Center Programs as necessary.
• Be knowledgeable in milieu shift requirements which may occur during morning and/or evening hours. Provides general supervision and appropriate intervention in the community supported space.
• Participate in youth educational and personal development groups on the units in coordination with other staff and/or volunteers.
• Completes all required shift and activity documentation.
• Provides life skills training on the units both formally (in groups) and informally. Works with each client on basic life skills and daily issues impeding their progress toward self‑sufficiency.
• Conducts life skills groups and hosts community meetings as assigned.
• Manages any crisis and/or emergency that may occur on the units with clients.
• May accompany youth on activities and presents proper activity documentation to include receipts.
• Documents and maintains medication protocol.
• Assists youth with maintaining cleanliness, completing daily chores, and cooking.
• Writes clear and concise shift notes and maintains daily logs on all youth.

General

• Works as part of a team environment by providing support and assistance whenever needed.
• Timely prepares and submits all required forms and statistical reports. Maintains documents regarding participant’s cooperation, daily activities and other records in compliance with agency and external policies, procedures and applicable licensing standards.
• Follows agency policies and procedures for the obtainment of information and provision of services to clients.
• Participates in program planning and evaluation.
• Participates in and contributes to regularly scheduled supervisory and team meetings.
• Participates in on‑call rotation with other direct service staff. Ensures availability to arrive on site within 60 minutes to deal with crises or provide milieu coverage as necessary.
• May be called upon to participate in agency interviews.
• Provide on‑going support and supervision for all volunteers and their tasks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or a closely related field.
• Current Illinois state license (LCSW, LCPC, LMFT) preferred.
• Experience utilizing trauma‑informed and strength‑based approaches.
• Knowledgeable in working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth of color, youth identifying as LGBTQ+, youth having experienced sexual trauma, and youth living with chronic mental illness.
• At least 2 years of prior young adult or family therapy experience.

Automation

Ability to use computer equipment and Microsoft office applications, e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook. Must be able to learn and understand the system that retains the electronic records on all clients, and complete timely and accurate data entry as directed.

Physical

Must be able to climb stairs and short ladders on frequent, daily basis. May be required to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. Must have valid Illinois driver’s license, proof of insurance, and insurable through Ignite’s insurance policy. If at any time, the employee cannot be insured under the agency’s coverage, the employee is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Ignite Employee Benefit Package

• Career Growth: Ignite offers access to comprehensive Professional Development programs and structured Leadership Training to accelerate your career trajectory.
• Promote from Within Culture: Ignite takes pride in our promote‑from‑within culture, offering continuous learning opportunities and career advancement tracks for dedicated team members.
• Generous Health Insurance Contributions: We invest in your well‑being. Ignite offers comprehensive medical and dental coverage with generous employer contributions.
• Invest in Your Future: We care about your long‑term financial well‑being. Employees are eligible to participate in our comprehensive 403(b) plan and provides a generous match.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Ignites' Employee Assistance Program provides short‑term counseling, resources, and support for personal or work‑related challenges.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Ignite provides FSA options for both healthcare and dependent care, letting you save on eligible out‑of‑pocket expenses (i.e., commuter/parking, etc.).
• Paid Time Off: Ignite offers a generous paid time off packet for full‑time employees, which includes 13 paid company holidays annually, 2 personal days, 9 sick days, and generous vacation accrual rates that range from 10-20 days per year.
• Strong Financial Safety Net: Ignite offers short‑term disability, long‑term disability and life insurance benefits at no cost to all of our full‑time employees.
• Employer Sponsored Staff Celebrations: Ignite hosts a variety of employer sponsored staff and community events throughout the year (i.e., Thanks 4 Giving, Annual Carnival, Quarterly Staff Meetings/Team building, and Holiday Celebrations).

Ignite is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, all applicants and/or employees seeking promotional opportunities will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Additionally, as dictated by the state of Illinois, employment with Ignite is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Ignite, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

This position is currently accepting applications.