CSEC Therapist

Job Overview

Position: CSEC Therapist

Location:

Qualified Residential Treatment Program located in the Northwest Suburbs.

Reports to:

CSEC Clinical Supervisor.

Shelter Youth & Family Services provides emergency housing, community‑based services, and support for youth and families in crisis. Founded in 1975, we are a leading voice for child welfare, human trafficking response, foster care innovation, and trauma‑informed care in Illinois. Our mission is to end the cycle of abuse and neglect by providing safe, healthy, and stable lives for children and families.

We are committed to a safe, inclusive environment for all employees and clients, supporting diverse backgrounds and identities.

The Therapist for the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Program provides trauma‑informed therapy to clients, including individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis services.

• Provide trauma‑informed therapeutic services (TF‑CBT, CBT, DBT, EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy) to clients.
• Deliver training to CSEC clinical and direct service staff as needed.
• Collaborate with the CSEC Clinical Supervisor to implement trauma‑informed programming.
• Maintain a caseload of 6 clients and run therapy groups weekly.
• Provide individual and group therapy to clients weekly and conduct psycho‑education.
• Facilitate development, review, and modification of clients' treatment, discharge, and aftercare plans.
• Collaborate with case management teams and multidisciplinary teams (schools, DCFS, etc.) to support clients.
• Maintain compliance and documentation per licensing, accreditation, and legal requirements (DCFS, COA, Medicaid).
• Respond to crisis or emergency situations and provide immediate support and debriefing.
• Provide on‑call availability on a rotation basis.

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, or related field.
• Minimum 1–2 years of counseling experience (individual and/or group therapy).
• Experience working with high‑risk youth (foster care, human trafficking, substance use).
• Familiarity with evidence‑based therapies (TF‑CBT, CBT, DBT, EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy).
• Certification in TF‑CBT, DBT, and/or EMDR (preferred).
• Licensure:
  Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred; willing to obtain professional license within first year.
• Certification in IM+CANS or ability to complete within 3 months of hire.
• Valid Illinois driver's license, auto, ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Must be at least 25 years old, medical and TB test, COVID‑19 vaccinated, certified CPR/First Aid, background check.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and crisis management skills.
• Knowledge of DCFS regulations and child welfare best practices.

Salary: $58,000 – $60,000 per year.

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid holidays and generous PTO
• Professional development opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement for work‑related travel

Flexible; expected 40 hours per week, including on‑call rotations. Two schedule options:
Sunday–Wednesday or Wednesday–Saturday.

Regular sitting, standing, walking, and handling of objects. Lifting up to 40 pounds. Requires ability to perform essential functions with reasonable accommodations.

Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including historically underrepresented communities.