Primary Therapist

Erc8585757Pathlight53T353; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

ERC Pathlight in Illinois seeks a Primary Therapist to conduct individual, family, and group therapy for adults, children, and adolescents. You will develop individualized treatment plans and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to implement them.

The role requires a graduate degree in a related field and provisional licensure; experience with group facilitation is preferred. Comprehensive benefits and salary are provided by ERC Pathlight.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or related is required.
• Provisional therapy license with appropriate state licensing board is required.
• Collaborative nature and strong communication within a multi-disciplinary team is required.
• Experience facilitating groups is preferred (1+ year).

Responsibilities

• Facilitates curriculum-based groups and documents appropriately.
• Provides meal monitoring and support with documentation.
• Conducts psychotherapy sessions, including individual and family therapy.
• Completes clinical documentation: treatment plans, progress notes, aftercare plan.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and clinical supervision.
• Supports milieu management and crisis de‑escalation strategies.

Education

Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related (required)

Provisional therapy license with state licensing board (required)

Collaborative nature and strong communication within a multi‑disciplinary team (required)

1+ year of facilitating groups (preferred)

Job description

The Primary Therapist conducts individual, family, and group therapy (adults, children, and adolescents) on topics such as mood, anxiety, stress, and eating disorders; conducts individual and family therapy and/or family education sessions; develops each patient’s individualized treatment plan; and works with an interdisciplinary treatment team to implement the plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitates curriculum‑based groups and uses appropriate documentation
  • Appropriate and timely documentation of all group facilitation
• Provides meal monitoring and support
  • Provides meal support through coaching and skills per treatment team
  • Documents timely and appropriately meal‑related forms
  • Participates in therapeutic meals and snacks with patients
• Conducts psychotherapy sessions, including individual and family therapy
  • Appropriate and timely documentation of all sessions
• Completes required documentation, including, but not limited to:
  • Appropriate documentation of weekly contact with outpatient providers
  • Appropriate documentation with family members
• For each patient on case load, completes clinical paperwork, including (but not limited to):
  • Treatment plans
  • Individual and Family Therapy progress notes and group notes.
  • Wellness plan
  • Aftercare plan
  • Conducts comprehensive assessments and treatment planning for each patient on case load (CSSRS or behavioral plans as needed)
  • Discharge summary
• Participates in treatment team meetings, huddles, and other facility meetings to coordinate patient’s care with interdisciplinary team
• Participates in clinical supervision meetings and trainings
• Supports milieu management, including (but not limited to):
  • De‑escalation and crisis management
  • Bathroom monitoring
  • Monitoring outside breaks
  • Conducts self‑harm and suicide assessment
  • Supports morning routine in IP/Res programs
  • Collects weights, vitals, and urine in some settings
  • Implements individual behavior management plans for some patients and serves as clinical lead for the program in some programs in evenings and weekends

Primary Therapist I Must‑Haves:

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related (required)
• Provisional therapy license with appropriate state licensing board (required)
• Collaborative nature and strong communication within a multi‑disciplinary team (required)
• 1+ year of facilitating groups (preferred)

Primary Therapist II Must‑Haves:

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related (required)
• Provisional therapy license with appropriate state licensing board (required)
• Has carried individual and/or family caseload for at least 18 months (required)
• Ability to move from one task to the next with ease, flexibility (required)
• Collaborative nature, strong communication within a multi‑disciplinary team (required)

Primary Therapist III Must‑Haves:

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related (required)
• Has obtained and maintains an independent mental health license as required by state to practice individual therapy (required)
• Has carried significant individual and/or family caseload for at least 2 years (required)

Primary Therapist IV Must‑Haves:

• Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) or Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology from an APA‑Accredited program (required)
• Has obtained and maintains an independent mental health license as required by state to practice individual therapy (required)
• Has carried significant individual and/or family caseload for at least 2 years with documented success in treating patients with common diagnoses and expected comorbidities (required)

Compensation (Illinois)

$56,000 — $103,000 USD

Benefits

At ERC Pathlight, caring for people is our mission and that begins with caring for our own team. Your well‑being matters, and our benefit program is designed to support every part of your life. We offer competitive compensation; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid time off; parental leave benefits; retirement benefits; and tuition reimbursement to help you continue growing in your career.

We also recognize that mental health is part of every person’s experience. That’s why we strive to create a workplace where you feel supported, seen, and encouraged—personally, professionally, and at home.