Mental Health Counselor
About The Position
La Casa Norte’s mission is to serve youth and families confronting homelessness. We provide access to stable housing and deliver comprehensive services that act as a catalyst to transform lives and communities. La Casa Norte’s mission and philosophy of service is to impact the social issues of homelessness at the individual and community levels. The Mental Health Counselor provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive, evidence-based behavioral health support to individuals, families, and groups participating in La Casa Norte’s housing and supportive service programs. This role helps residents and program participants stabilize mental health; access substance use treatment and strengthen coping skills to maintain housing stability. Services are provided under the clinical supervision of a qualified licensed mental health professional in accordance with Illinois law, applicable ethical standards, and organizational policies. For LSWs & LPCs pursuing their LCSW/LCPC, this role provides an opportunity to gain supervised clinical experience toward the 3,000 hours required for LCSW/LCPC licensure in Illinois. If you are looking for a position where you can grow as a clinician, receive professional supervision, gain valuable experience, and work toward the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling (MSW, LSW, or LPC).
- Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, or trauma preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented approaches.
- Reliable vehicle with insurance and valid driver’s license.
- Experience with homeless and at-risk youth.
- Skilled in group facilitation and diverse environments.
- Strong working knowledge of housing first, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care principles.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to pass a DCFS Background Check.
Nice To Haves
- Candidates actively pursuing licensure are encouraged to apply.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
- Experience in supportive housing, emergency shelter, youth services, or reentry work.
- Familiarity with ClientTrack, HMIS, or other case management systems.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive intake interviews and biopsychosocial assessments under clinical supervision.
- Obtain psychosocial, developmental, medical, educational, family, and trauma histories.
- Identify client strengths and protective factors.
- Assess social determinants of health. Screen for substance use disorders, and trauma exposure.
- Carries a caseload of youth clients primarily in shelter or transitional housing setting. Focuses on the use of individual, group or family treatment modalities.
- Formulates and frequently reviews treatment plans with supervisor.
- Provide individual and group support services focused on mental health stabilization, coping skills, and recovery goals.
- Participate in clinical case staffing and collaborate closely with case managers, other LCN staff, and community partners.
- Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and support to program participants experiencing acute mental health or substance-related needs.
- Participate in regular clinical supervision, team meetings, and professional development activities.
- Assist with outreach, engagement, and community referrals to behavioral health and substance use recovery programs.
- Support program evaluation efforts and contribute to quality improvement initiatives.
- When necessary, liaison to DCFS or other agency (courts, school districts, etc.), communicating goals and progress toward their accomplishment.
- Promote equity in service access and delivery.
- Develop, implement, and monitor treatment or service plans in alignment with supervision and agency policy.
- Maintain accurate client documentation in accordance with agency, funder, and HIPAA requirements.
- Maintain accurate program data and documentation, including ClientTrack, HMIS, Caseworthy, daily logs, quarterly reports and/or annual program reports.
Benefits
- Paid Time Off: 14 vacation days per year
- Personal Days: 7 personal days per year
- Holidays: 10 paid holidays annually
- Sick Leave: 6 sick days annually
- Health Insurance: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (HMO/PPO options)
- Dental and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options
- Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan
- Life Insurance: $25,000 basic term life insurance (at no cost to employees)
- Disability Insurance: Long-term disability coverage (at no cost to employees)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax options for healthcare, transit, and dependent care
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential resources for employees
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
