Hephzibah Children's Association is a non-profit social service agency located in Oak Park, IL.
The agency offers a variety of programs including residential programs for young children, foster care, intact, and family/parenting programs, and after school and summer care for elementary aged children.
The Residential Therapist provides trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate clinical services to children ages 4–11 in a residential treatment setting. This position is responsible for overseeing the clinical care and treatment planning for one assigned unit, providing individual and group therapy, supporting behavioral interventions, and collaborating closely with unit staff to ensure safety, stability, and progress toward treatment goals. The therapist will also play an active role in training staff and supporting a trauma-responsive environment.
Work Environment
This position is based in a residential treatment program serving children ages 4–11. The therapist must be able to work in a fast-paced environment where youth may display emotional and behavioral dysregulation, including aggression, elopement risk, or property destruction. The therapist is expected to remain actively involved on the unit and engaged with both youth and staff throughout the day.
Essential Responsibilities
- Provide trauma-informed individual therapy to children according to our treatment model
- Facilitate and support therapeutic groups on the unit based on identified needs (emotional regulation, coping skills, social skills, safety planning, etc.).
- Participate in clinical outings with youth to practice and teach coping skills, emotional regulation, and appropriate community functioning.
- Collaborate closely with unit staff to implement and monitor individualized behavioral plans and therapeutic interventions.
- Attend and actively participate in weekly staffings, providing clinical updates on treatment progress, barriers, and next steps.
- Complete 90-day therapy/ progress evaluations and ensure documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with agency standards.
- Complete notes on each session within required timeframes.
- Complete and maintain IM-CANS assessments for all youth on assigned caseload within required timeframes.
- Provide ongoing consultation and support to residential staff to strengthen trauma-informed responses and reduce crisis situations.
- Assist with training staff in trauma-informed care, child development, de-escalation techniques, and therapeutic engagement strategies.
- Maintain consistent communication with internal clinical leadership and collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to support treatment planning.
- Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards in accordance with licensing requirements and agency policies.
- Weekly on-call for crisis situations in a 5 week rotation
Qualifications
- Master’s degree required in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field.
- Must hold a clinical license (LCSW, LCPC, LMFT) preferred or be actively working toward licensure, with expectation to obtain licensure within 6 to 12 months of hire.
- Minimum of 1–2 years experience working with children preferred, especially in residential, foster care, community mental health, or school-based settings.
- Strong understanding of trauma, attachment, emotional regulation, and behavior as communication.
- Experience with crisis intervention, behavioral planning, and working with aggressive or high-needs youth strongly preferred.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with direct care staff.
Hephzibah Children’s Association is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We value, advocate for and support diversity throughout our organization. We embrace a respectful, multicultural, and inclusive environment for employees and the clients we serve.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
