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 Jobs

Overview

Open roles25
Top employerArdent Counseling Center
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring19
Work type54% Hybrid
Top credentialMaster's degree in social work

Showing 5 of 25+ Child Therapist jobs

ROAN Solutions LLC
Child & Adolescent Therapist
We won't show you this job again
ROAN Solutions LLC
New 12h ago
Child & Adolescent Therapist
ROAN Solutions LLC
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
On-Site

Have you applied for this role?

E
Child & Adolescent Licensed Therapist (LCPC/LCSW) : Hybrid
We won't show you this job again
E
Added 1d ago
Child & Adolescent Licensed Therapist (LCPC/LCSW) : Hybrid
Embracing Inner Peace, PLLC
Carlinville, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$35k - $45k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in counseling

Have you applied for this role?

W
Child & Adolescent Therapist
We won't show you this job again
W
Added 5d ago
Child & Adolescent Therapist
Wright Choice Counseling
Effingham, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$64k.86 - $71k.33/yr
On-Site
Master's degree

Have you applied for this role?

P
Child Therapist LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC (Full-time/Part-time)
We won't show you this job again
P
Added 1w ago
Child Therapist LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC (Full-time/Part-time)
Patchwork Therapy
Elmhurst, Illinois
IT Support
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$55 - $65/hr
On-Site

Have you applied for this role?

Focus HR Inc
Specialized Forensic Unit PC - Child Juvenile Mental Health Therapist Counselor (hybrid)
We won't show you this job again
Focus HR Inc
Added 3w ago
Specialized Forensic Unit PC - Child Juvenile Mental Health Therapist Counselor (hybrid)
Focus HR Inc
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$52k - $80k/yr
Hybrid
Doctoral degree

Have you applied for this role?

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

Child Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
4 jobs
Oak Brook
2 jobs
Naperville
2 jobs
Elk Grove Village
2 jobs
Bradley
1 job
Decatur
1 job
Lombard
1 job
Elmhurst
1 job
Palatine
1 job

Child Therapist Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Ardent Counseling Center
Ardent Counseling Center3 open roles
Lighthouse Autism Center
Lighthouse Autism Center3 open roles
Focus HR
Focus HR2 open roles

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