Child Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Child Therapist jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with openings concentrated across community mental health centers, pediatric hospital systems, and school-based behavioral health programs at every level from entry-level clinician through senior clinical director. Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield anchor the largest share of hiring, with established employers such as Lurie Children's Hospital, Advocate Health Care, and Heartland Alliance maintaining consistent openings. Play therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and autism spectrum support are among the most sought-after specialties across Illinois. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Child Therapist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 25+ Child Therapist jobs


Company Overview
ROAN Solutions LLC is dedicated to supporting and nurturing families, especially during times of crisis or transition. We prioritize genuine engagement and collaboration with caregivers to build on their strengths and provide meaningful assistance to families involved with child welfare.
Overview
We are seeking a compassionate and energetic Child & Adolescent Therapist to join our team. In this role, you will deliver evidence-based mental health and behavioral care tailored to children and youth, working closely with families and caregivers to foster resilience and positive development. This paid position offers an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families.
Duties
- Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and diagnostic evaluations for children and adolescents.
- Provide individual, group, and family counseling utilizing evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, art therapy, and trauma-specific interventions.
- Develop personalized treatment plans aligned with clinical ethical guidelines, HIPAA regulations, and best practices in behavioral health.
- Collaborate with families, schools, and community agencies to coordinate case management and support services.
- Implement crisis intervention strategies and conflict management techniques to ensure client safety and well-being.
- Collect data on treatment progress through medical documentation, clinical records, and behavioral health metrics.
- Deliver culturally sensitive counseling that respects diverse backgrounds and addresses gender issues counseling as needed.
Requirements
- Proven experience working with children, adolescents, or individuals with developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorder.
- Strong knowledge of mental health assessments, trauma-specific interventions, applied behavior analysis, and evidence-based practices in child & youth therapy.
- Familiarity with HIPAA regulations, clinical documentation standards, medical terminology, and ethical guidelines in mental health care.
- Experience working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds in home & community care settings preferred.
- Excellent communication skills for client engagement, intake procedures, and working collaboratively with families.
- Ability to manage crisis situations effectively through crisis management techniques.
- Relevant licensure or certification in social work, psychotherapy, addiction counseling or related fields is highly desirable (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC)
Join us to empower children and adolescents through compassionate care that transforms lives! We look forward to meeting you!
Pay: From $45.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 15.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Continuing education credits
- Flexible schedule
Work Location: In person
See All 25 Child Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Child Therapist JobsChild Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Child Therapist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in child therapist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois licensure as an LPC, LCPC, LSW, or LCSW required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a closely related field
- Experience providing individual and group therapy to children and adolescents
- Familiarity with evidence-based modalities such as CBT, TF-CBT, or play therapy
- Ability to complete clinical documentation and maintain case records in an EHR system
- Valid Illinois background clearance through the DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System
Child Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a child therapist in Illinois?
You become a child therapist in Illinois by earning a master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related clinical field, then obtaining licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Most positions require either a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, each of which involves completing supervised clinical hours and passing a board examination recognized by the state.
How much do child therapists make in Illinois?
Child therapists in Illinois earn a median of about $60,970 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $51,420 for the lowest 10% to over $104,900 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire child therapists in Illinois?
Employers hiring child therapists in Illinois right now include Ardent Counseling Center, Lighthouse Autism Center, and Focus HR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense network of community mental health agencies, pediatric health systems, and school districts means hiring is ongoing across both urban centers and suburban communities throughout the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most child therapist jobs?
Chicago, Oak Brook, and Naperville have the most child therapist openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates by volume given its concentration of major pediatric health systems, community mental health centers, and public schools, while Rockford and Springfield generate consistent demand through regional hospital networks and state-funded behavioral health programs serving high-need populations.
Are there remote child therapist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical fields because child therapy often involves in-person assessment, play-based techniques, and hands-on crisis intervention. About 62% of child therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. Telehealth roles providing talk-therapy to older children and adolescents represent the segment most likely to allow fully remote work.
How can I get hired as a child therapist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a supervised clinical internship or post-graduate residency position while you accumulate the hours required for full Illinois licensure. Large Illinois employers such as Lurie Children's Hospital and community mental health networks like Thresholds and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare regularly hire pre-licensed associate clinicians. Coming from a case management, school counseling aide, or behavioral health technician role also opens doors, and candidates who already hold a registered intern credential from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation move to the front of most applicant pools.
Where can I find and apply to child therapist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to child therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Illinois employers. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and preferred setting, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 25 Child Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Child Therapist Jobs