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.
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Showing 5 of 38+ Child Therapist jobs
Job description:
Our full-time W-2 therapist position is perfect for a therapist looking for a creative, supportive environment for their clinical work. Riverview Counseling Services is an innovative, family-owned, growing private practice that has specialized in the treatment of children, adolescents, and their families for over 20 years. Located in the community hubs of St. Charles, Batavia, South Elgin, North Aurora, and Bartlett, Riverview offers a homey, family-room atmosphere and provides effective, compassionate, and child-friendly interventions for our clients. Our warm and welcoming team has an excellent reputation within the community and completely supports each and every therapist in our tribe. Please visit riverviewcounselingservices.com for more details about us and our philosophy.
We offer:
- warm, family-friendly treatment rooms equipped with toys/games/ and other tx supplies
- full administrative support, including credentialing, billing, & initial intake scheduling
- a stable, dependable work environment over 20 years in business
- individual clinical supervision and team-based clinical support
- competitive pay and comprehensive benefits
- paid holidays in addition to PTO
- paid trainings and orientation
- opportunities for your personal career growth and development (we'd love to hear your ideas!)
- flexible schedules for finding your own custom work/life balance
- ability to quickly fill your case load - we have a waiting list!
- individual chrome books for your use at work
- digital scheduling and record keeping to minimize paperwork
- therapist appreciation
- 401(k) with a 4% company match
- PROFIT SHARING!!!! This is an opportunity to grow your wealth beyond your regular pay
What you would do:
- Conduct thorough assessments and intake interviews with children and families to identify needs and develop tailored treatment plans.
- Provide individual and/or family therapy sessions utilizing techniques such as play therapy, CBT, DBT, ACT.
- Maintain accurate medical documentation and adhere to HIPAA regulations to ensure patient confidentiality.
- Collaborate with schools and community organizations to support clients' needs and promote positive outcomes.
- Mentor junior staff and interns, fostering a supportive learning environment.
We are looking for:
- therapists with at least 2 years experience working with children, adolescents, families or couples
- Masters or PhD level therapists with either a LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, or LCP credential.
- full-time W-2 position
- experience with intakes, family work, behavior management, CBT, DBT, and/or ACT
- knowledge of play therapy and/or art therapy (helpful but not required)
- therapists who are professional, compassionate, team-players, with innovative ideas to bring to the table
- therapists with couples therapy experience a plus
Job Types: Full-time W-2 Employee
Competitive pay based upon a therapist's years of experience and number of hours worked.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $52.00 - $100.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Continuing education credits
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- post-licensure: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- full clinical license (LCPC/LCSW/LCP/LMFT) (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
See All 38 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
- Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism16
- Ardent Counseling Center3
- Lighthouse Autism Center3
- Kenneth Young Center2
- Lutheran Social Services of Illinois2
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 Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism, Ardent Counseling Center, and Lighthouse Autism Center, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 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, Illinois, and Grayslake 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 70% of child therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of October 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 38 Child Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Child Therapist Jobs