High Intensity Trauma Informed Care Recovery Counselor

Trilogy Careers • Chicago, IL

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The High Intensity Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Recovery Counselor conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to inform treatment planning through home, community, and office visits. The role serves clients with significant trauma histories and barriers to traditional outreach services, including challenges with attachment, emotion regulation, or high-risk behaviors. The counselor works independently on skills such as self-containment, emotion regulation, and safety with a caseload of 8–15 clients, depending on acuity.

The counselor provides client-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed services to clients with severe mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use, using a harm reduction approach in accordance with Trilogy’s Philosophy of Care. At least 75% of therapeutic support services are provided in the community. The role includes skill building and case management, as well as services to Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) clients and Community Support Team (CST)-level services. The position is based at 1607 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60626, and involves travel throughout Chicago.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a master’s degree in counseling and guidance, rehabilitation counseling, social work, education, vocational counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, family therapy, or a related human service field, plus at least one year of mental health work experience; or a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields, plus at least three years of mental health work experience.
• Have 3–5 years of experience working with people with mental health and/or substance use diagnoses.
• Hold a valid Illinois Driver’s License and have daily access to a vehicle.
• Carry auto liability insurance of $100,000/$300,000.
• Have strong risk assessment skills and the ability to make decisions independently.
• Obtain IMCANs Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Have a strong understanding of Trauma Informed Care principles and the ability to develop healthy therapeutic alliances with people with complex trauma histories.
• Be able to adapt and remain flexible in a changing work environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in community-based services.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed services to a caseload of 8 to 15 clients across multiple levels of care, including individuals with complex symptom presentations.
• Support clients with skill building in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Independently assess client risk and determine the need for higher levels of care, including hospitalization, withdrawal management, emergency services, or other crisis interventions.
• Evaluate safety concerns and collaborate with colleagues and supervisors on symptom management and risk mitigation strategies; escalate concerns and participate in risk consultation as needed.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of clients’ medical, emotional, social, environmental, and functional needs through home, community, and office visits.
• Develop and coordinate individualized recovery plans with clients, their support systems, and interdisciplinary care providers.
• Complete timely clinical documentation of professional contact with clients, collaterals, and other professionals using Trilogy-approved systems.
• Maintain accurate timekeeping for billable hours and nonclinical activities.
• Identify opportunities to transition clients to the most appropriate level of care and facilitate referrals to additional services.
• Help clients recognize signs of symptom escalation and develop coping strategies for mental health symptoms and life stressors.
• Support clients in building and maintaining independent living skills, including personal hygiene, household management, nutrition, and community living activities.
• Educate and assist clients with accessing benefits and entitlements, including SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP (LINK).
• Accompany clients to essential community appointments and support them with housing, substance use recovery, budgeting, social connectedness, and medication management.
• Collaborate with therapists and other treatment team members to reinforce therapeutic interventions and skill development in community settings.
• Complete required trauma-informed care training, including DBT and Seeking Safety, within the first 12 months of employment, and participate in ongoing professional development and other required training.
• Consult with Outreach teams regarding trauma-informed interventions, treatment planning, and best practices for individuals whose primary presentation involves trauma-related symptoms.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Free virtual primary care, urgent care, and mental health counseling for all employees
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Medical insurance (BCBS of IL)
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability
• Pet insurance
• Flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care, and transit
• Telemedicine
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level