Behavior Health Therapist

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Title:

Behavior Therapist

FLSA Status:
Salary, Exempt

Salary: $60k-$65K

Reports To:

Behavior Health Therapist Supervisor

Behavior Therapist

Ignite stands with youth on their journey to a home and a future with promise. We are a leading non‑profit, human services organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for youth, ages 10-26. While Ignite has a long‑standing history that dates to 1976, we continue to create new ways to serve our community. Today, we have more than 63 full‑time and part‑time staff as well as over 100 volunteers who contribute to our mission.

Through housing, education, employment, career planning, financial empowerment, mental health support, and community connection, we enroll more than 800 youth per year, on the path to reaching their full potential. Following their time with Ignite, many of our youth achieve financial stability and move into their own long‑term home. Ignite intends to be the last program our youth will ever need, but the family and place they can always call home.

As a 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winner, Ignite is leading the way in creating new housing and service models that help youth put homelessness behind them for good. At Ignite, we envision a world where all young people have the support they need to be defined by their potential, not their circumstances.

Responsible for working as a team member to establish and maintain the collaborative and positive tenor of the Mental Health Team. Responsible for the direct mental health care of youth experiencing homelessness within Ignite’s Residential Programs through individual and group sessions and the direct supervision of the Behavior Intervention Counselor. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of Ignite.

Reports directly to the Behavior Health Therapist, Supervisor.

• Develops and monitors, in partnership with the client, a regularly reviewed mental health treatment plan, and safety plans as needed.
• Coordinates and conducts a comprehensive assessment process for assigned clients, including mental health assessments and documentation as required for housing applications.
• Assess suicide and homicide risk of youth, consult on crisis intervention efforts, and if necessary, involuntary hospitalization.
• Provide a range of therapeutic services including individual therapy (brief intervention and ongoing), group learning sessions, and creative therapies for youth aged 14 – 26 years old within Residential Programs, through trauma‑informed and strength‑based approaches. Makes outside referrals as needed.
• Offers a variety of therapeutic services to community housing program participants in community or via telehealth.
• Completes documentation of therapeutic sessions and maintains organized client files.
• Identifies and works in collaboration with case managers to coordinate resources for direct clinical and psychiatric care, including medication management, of program youth and completes referrals in a timely manner.
• Provide evaluation and assessment as needed to youth within the Bronzeville Youth Shelter (BYS) that have stayed 5 nights or more.
• Develop and implement social and emotional learning (SEL) programming within Ignite in collaboration with the residential programs team based on identified client and/or staff training needs.
• Assist in leading monthly Client Support Team (CST) meetings for Ignite program staff, including training development opportunities…