VPI Therapist

Casa Central’s Violence Prevention & Intervention (VPI) program provides high-quality, culturally and linguistically attuned, trauma‑informed therapy and support services to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, and other traumas.

The Therapist provides clinical/therapeutic intervention for children ages 0‑5 and their families who have been exposed to violence or experienced trauma, and individual adult counseling for adults impacted by domestic violence. The Therapist employs individual, family, and/or group counseling modalities, and also provides supportive services, including case management, crisis intervention, safety planning, psychoeducation, and information/referral services and linkage support. The Therapist may also support program staff in program development, evaluation, public‑awareness programming, community‑based trainings, and participation in funder, accreditation, and other meetings.

Maintain a caseload of approximately 16‑18 clients and their families. Design and implement therapeutic or psycho educational group services. Implement timely crisis intervention and safety‑planning strategies. Provide individual, family, and/or group counseling services according to best practices and evidence‑based treatment approaches, focusing on Child‑Parent Psychotherapy. Services are provided in‑office, via Telehealth and in the community. Accompany victims/survivors to the police department, clinics, court and other arenas as needed.

Advocate on a survivor’s behalf with a third party after execution of release of information, including advocacy with the Department of Children and Family Services, a victim’s employer, housing provider, Illinois Department of Human Services, etc. Engage in multidisciplinary efforts to support continuity of care for families, including participation in clinical staffings, Child and Family Team meetings and court proceedings.

Collaborate with early childhood professionals, medical professionals, legal personnel, judicial personnel, child welfare professionals, and other mental‑health professionals.

Assist survivors with completion of paperwork to petition for an Order of Protection from the Domestic Violence Court of Cook County and/or other steps necessary to petition for an Order of Protection. Accompany survivors to court for emotional support, advocacy and clarification of information such as law and court process. Assist survivors with petitioning for Stalking No Contact Orders (SNCO) or Civil No Contact Orders (CNCO).

Advocate on survivor’s behalf in family court and other court activity related to gender‑based violence cases.

Conduct timely intakes and assessments for individuals referred for domestic violence services as well as children and families referred for therapy services secondary to exposure to violence and other traumas, including gathering information over the phone and in‑person, collecting comprehensive data sets, maintaining and monitoring the program waitlists, and providing periodic check‑in phone calls. Establish rapport with clients and foster a therapeutic environment in which clients feel safe and secure.

Complete comprehensive mental‑health assessments or IM+CANS to identify participant strengths and needs and to inform service planning. Complete program and funder evaluation measures for data collection and evaluation, including trauma and developmental screenings, referral to Early Intervention services or case studies when criteria are met, and data measures at multiple points (Time 1, Time 2, etc.). Engage in evaluation of collected data and conversations with clients regarding data gathered to inform service delivery.

Design, in collaboration with clients, individualized service plans with measurable treatment objectives and support implementation of safety plans for victims/survivors of domestic violence.

Utilize knowledge and access to resources to link individuals and…