Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Illinois
Behavioral health counselor jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in community mental health centers, hospital systems, substance use treatment programs, and school-based services at every level from entry-level case aide to senior clinician. Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring volume, with major employers like Advocate Health Care, Rosecrance, and Gateway Foundation maintaining ongoing behavioral health counselor openings across the state. The most in-demand specialties include substance use disorder counseling, trauma-informed care, and dual-diagnosis treatment. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 14+ Behavioral Health Counselor jobs
- Location: Hoffman Estates, IL
- Facility: Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health
- Department: Perinatal Outpatient Unit
- Schedule: Day shift | Part-time
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
- Conducts patient assessments and establishes therapy treatment goals.
- Administers individual and group therapy. Maintains thorough and confidential records of observations.
- Evaluates progress and effectiveness of therapy interventions.
Provides patients with information regarding resources and therapeutic activities in the community.
Licensure / Certification / Registration
- Required Credential(s):
- None Required
- Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science, or Psychology required.
- Master's Degree
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
- Location: Hoffman Estates, IL
- Facility: Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health
- Department: Perinatal Outpatient Unit
- Schedule: Day shift | Part-time
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more
- Conducts patient assessments and establishes therapy treatment goals.
- Administers individual and group therapy. Maintains thorough and confidential records of observations.
- Evaluates progress and effectiveness of therapy interventions.
Provides patients with information regarding resources and therapeutic activities in the community.
Licensure / Certification / Registration
- Required Credential(s):
- None Required
- Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science, or Psychology required.
- Master's Degree
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process, our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.
See All 14 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsBehavioral Health Counselor Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Behavioral Health Counselor Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in behavioral health counselor jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field
- Experience delivering individual and group therapy in a clinical or community setting
- Familiarity with evidence-based modalities such as CBT, motivational interviewing, or trauma-focused approaches
- Ability to complete clinical documentation accurately within an electronic health record system
- Valid Illinois driver's license and willingness to travel between community sites or client locations
Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a behavioral health counselor in Illinois?
Becoming a behavioral health counselor in Illinois requires a master's degree in counseling or a related field, followed by supervised clinical hours accumulated under an Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) credential issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. After completing the required supervised hours, candidates sit for the National Counselor Examination to qualify for full LPC or LCPC licensure, which most Illinois employers require for independent clinical practice.
Which companies hire behavioral health counselors in Illinois?
Employers hiring behavioral health counselors in Illinois right now include Ascension, Rosecrance, and Northwestern Medicine, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems and statewide community mental health networks tend to post the most consistent volume of openings throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most behavioral health counselor jobs?
Rockford, Chicago, and Hoffman Estates have the most behavioral health counselor openings in Illinois. Chicago's concentration of hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, and nonprofit behavioral health agencies drives the bulk of the state's volume, while Rockford and Springfield generate steady demand through regional medical centers and state-funded community mental health programs serving those metro areas.
Are there remote behavioral health counselor jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're more selective than in fully desk-based fields, since much of the role involves direct client care that historically required an in-person setting. About 0% of behavioral health counselor openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the growth of telehealth platforms across the state. Outpatient therapy, crisis counseling intake, and care coordination functions are the parts of the role most commonly offered in a remote or hybrid format.
How can I get hired as a behavioral health counselor in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for an LPCA-track position, which allows candidates with a master's degree to begin accumulating supervised clinical hours toward full licensure while employed. Large Illinois employers like Sinai Chicago and Gateway Foundation regularly hire associate-level counselors into structured supervision programs. Adjacent roles such as case manager, mental health technician, or crisis line counselor are common stepping stones, and holding an LPCA credential from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation gives applicants a clear hiring edge over those who have not yet initiated licensure.
Where can I find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to behavioral health counselor jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your credentials and preferred location, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 14 Behavioral Health Counselor Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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