Mental Health Counselor

La Casa Norte; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Holidays

Sick leave

EAP

Job summary

La Casa Norte seeks a licensed or pre-licensed Mental Health Counselor to deliver trauma-informed behavioral health support for residents in housing and supportive programs.

Under clinical supervision, provide intake assessments, treatment planning, and group or individual therapy aimed at stabilizing mental health and supporting housing stability.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling (MSW/LSW/LPC).
• Experience with homelessness, substance use, or trauma preferred.
• Commitment to equity, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Reliable vehicle with insurance and valid driver’s license.
• Experience with homeless and at-risk youth.
• Group facilitation and work in diverse environments.
• Knowledge of housing first, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to pass a DCFS Background Check.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed behavioral health support to individuals, families and groups.
• Conduct intake interviews and biopsychosocial assessments under supervision.
• Identify client strengths and social determinants of health.
• Offer crisis intervention and safety planning.
• Collaborate with case managers and community partners.
• Maintain HIPAA-compliant client documentation.
• Assist with outreach, program evaluation and quality improvement.

Skills

Group facilitation

Verbal communication

Written communication

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling (MSW, LSW, or LPC)

Job description

La Casa Norte’s mission is to serve youth and families confronting homelessness. We provide access to stable housing and deliver comprehensive services that act as a catalyst to transform lives and communities. La Casa Norte’s mission and philosophy of service is to impact the social issues of homelessness at the individual and community levels.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Mental Health Counselor provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive, evidence-based behavioral health support to individuals, families, and groups participating in La Casa Norte’s housing and supportive service programs. This role helps residents and program participants stabilize mental health; access substance use treatment and strengthen coping skills to maintain housing stability. Services are provided under the clinical supervision of a qualified licensed mental health professional in accordance with Illinois law, applicable ethical standards, and organizational policies.

For LSWs & LPCs pursuing their LCSW/LCPC, this role provides an opportunity to gain supervised clinical experience toward the 3,000 hours required for LCSW/LCPC licensure in Illinois.

If you are looking for a position where you can grow as a clinician, receive professional supervision, gain valuable experience, and work toward the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply.

Client Support

• Conduct comprehensive intake interviews and biopsychosocial assessments under clinical supervision.
• Obtain psychosocial, developmental, medical, educational, family, and trauma histories.
• Identify client strengths and protective factors.
• Assess social determinants of health. Screen for substance use disorders, and trauma exposure.
• Carries a caseload of youth clients primarily in shelter or transitional housing setting. Focuses on the use of individual, group or family treatment modalities.
• Formulates and frequently reviews treatment plans with supervisor.
• Provide individual and group support services focused on mental health stabilization, coping skills, and recovery goals.
• Participate in clinical case staffing and collaborate closely with case managers, other LCN staff, and community partners.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and support to program participants experiencing acute mental health or substance-related needs.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision, team meetings, and professional development activities.
• Assist with outreach, engagement, and community referrals to behavioral health and substance use recovery programs.
• Support program evaluation efforts and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
• When necessary, liaison to DCFS or other agency (courts, school districts, etc.), communicating goals and progress toward their accomplishment.

Quality Assurance and Data Management

• Promote equity in service access and delivery.
• Develop, implement, and monitor treatment or service plans in alignment with supervision and agency policy.
• Maintain accurate client documentation in accordance with agency, funder, and HIPAA requirements.
• Maintain accurate program data and documentation, including ClientTrack, HMIS, Caseworthy, daily logs, quarterly reports and/or annual program reports.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling (MSW, LSW, or LPC).
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, or trauma preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented approaches.
• Reliable vehicle with insurance and valid driver’s license.
• Experience with homeless and at-risk youth.
• Skilled in group facilitation and diverse environments.
• Strong working knowledge of housing first, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to pass a DCFS Background Check.

Preferred:

• Candidates actively pursuing licensure are encouraged to apply.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Experience in supportive housing, emergency shelter, youth services, or reentry work.
• Familiarity with ClientTrack, HMIS, or other case management systems.

Licensure and Supervision:

This position meets requirements for pre-licensed professionals seeking clinical supervision hours toward LCSW or LCPC licensure. All clinical activities (including mental health assessments, treatment planning, and intervention) occur under a qualified supervisor’s oversight.

Work Conditions

• Flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and on-call rotation.
• Must be able to walk up and down stairs and lift/move up to 25 lbs.
• Frequent engagement in community outreach, program activities, and events.

Compensation and Benefits Package Includes:

• Paid Time Off: 14 vacation days per year
• Personal Days: 7 personal days per year
• Holidays: 10 paid holidays annually
• Sick Leave: 6 sick days annually
• Health Insurance: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (HMO/PPO options)
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan
• Life Insurance: $25,000 basic term life insurance (at no cost to employees)
• Disability Insurance: Long-term disability coverage (at no cost to employees)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax options for healthcare, transit, and dependent care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential resources for employees

Bargaining Unit Status:

This position is represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), Local 39.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, national origin, or disability. LCN will consider requests or exceptions to job duties based on legally protected religious observances, as reasonable accommodations to an employee’s disability, or as otherwise required by law.