Primary Therapist

Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

ERC Pathlight is seeking a Primary Therapist to conduct individual, family, and group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults with mood, anxiety, and eating disorders. You will develop individualized treatment plans and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to implement them.

The position requires a graduate degree in a relevant field, licensure eligibility, strong communication, and experience in group work.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related (required).
• Collaborative nature and strong communication within a multi-disciplinary team (required).
• 1+ year of facilitating groups (preferred).
• Has carried individual and/or family caseload for at least 18 months (preferred).
• Ability to move from one task to the next with ease and flexibility (required).
• For Level IV: PsyD or PhD in Psychology from an APA-accredited program (required).

Responsibilities

• Facilitates curriculum-based groups and uses appropriate documentation.
• Provides meal monitoring and support with documentation of meal-related forms.
• Conducts psychotherapy sessions including individual and family therapy.
• Completes required documentation including weekly contact with outpatient providers and family members.
• Prepares treatment plans, progress notes, wellness and aftercare plans; conducts comprehensive assessments and discharge summaries.
• Participates in treatment team meetings and clinical supervision; supports milieu management and crisis de-escalation.

Skills

Collaborative nature

Strong communication

Education

Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related

Job description

About ERC Pathlight

At ERC Pathlight, we’re on a mission to change lives—and we’re looking for people who feel called to do the same. As one of the nation’s leading treatment providers for eating disorders and mood, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions, we bring innovative, evidence-based, and deeply compassionate care to patients across the country. With multiple locations nationwide and extensive virtual programming, we meet patients exactly where they are and help them move toward lasting recovery. Founded in 2008 by renowned psychiatrists and psychologists, ERC Pathlight now supports more than 6,000 patients each year.

Why Join Us

When you join ERC Pathlight, you become part of a team that shows up every day to make a real difference. You’ll work alongside passionate clinicians, dedicated support staff, and mission‑driven leaders who believe in collaboration, growth, and doing the right thing—always. Here, your work matters. Your ideas matter. You matter.

Role Overview

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 interdisciplinary treatment team to implement the plan.

Essential Duties & 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 programmes in evenings and weekends

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related (required)
• Provisional or independent mental health license with appropriate state licensing board (required)
• Collaborative nature and strong communication within multi-disciplinary team (required)
• 1+ year of facilitating groups (preferred)
• Has carried individual and/or family caseload for at least 18 months (preferred)
• Ability to move from one task to the next with ease and flexibility (required)
• For Level IV: Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Psychology from an APA‑accredited program (required)

Compensation Range

Illinois Pay Range: $56,000 – $103,000 USD (based on candidate experience and market expectations).

Benefits

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 and strive to create a workplace where you feel supported, seen, and encouraged—personally, professionally, and at home.