Counselor Jobs in Illinois
Counselor jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, Springfield, and Rockford, where large employer networks like Advocate Health Care, Lurie Children's Hospital, and the Illinois Department of Human Services maintain consistent hiring pipelines. The most in-demand specialties include school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and mental health counseling, with openings at every level from entry-level case managers to licensed clinical supervisors. Illinois is one of the more active markets in the Midwest for counseling roles, reflecting ongoing investment in behavioral health and school-based services. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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INTRODUCTION
Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Provides therapeutic interventions to promote personal growth and resiliency in the form of emotional, cognitive, behavioral and/or psychological changes in clients with a primary behavioral health diagnosis. Performs continuing assessment of the client’s needs and functioning, maintenance of appropriate documentation and development, and implementation of personal growth plans consistent with the client’s therapeutic needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Facilitates therapy sessions for a client or group of clients.
- Assists client in developing an individualized service plan, must be person centered, family centered, and service centered. Monitors client progress in treatment and participate in service plan reviews as assigned. Updates service plans as appropriate. Submits service plans at all stages for medical review, if applicable.
- Conducts intake for client entering services, including explaining services, gathering information needed on intake materials, ensuring client understands all forms, assuring signature on appropriate contracts and consents, and submitting materials for processing, as assigned. Conducts assessment and write assessment summaries, as assigned.
- Assists clients with making linkage with internal and external resources as outlined in service plan and in coordination with Integrated Healthcare Services. Maintains appropriate contact with referral sources including providing information on client progress, behavior, and needs (with appropriate releases), and maintaining ongoing consultation when appropriate.
- Assists client in making discharge plans and provide follow up services as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Effectively communicate via written, verbal, in person and virtual methods.
- Skilled in customer service techniques.
- Skilled in problem-solving.
- Skilled in consultation and networking.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Level
Master’s Degree in a human services related field.
Years of Experience
Experience providing mental health services preferred.
Certification/Licensure
N/A
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Range:
$48,300.00-$67,700.00
Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy:
- Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- 403b retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off and ten paid holidays
- AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid)
- Employee Resource Groups
- Continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program
Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture.
Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve.
Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.
See All 143+ Counselor Jobs in Illinois
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Find Counselor JobsCounselor Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Counselor Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare13

- Gateway Foundation12

- Alpharus Health4

- Magellan Health4

- Brave Health3

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in counselor jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credential required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, or a closely related field
- Experience with evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as CBT or motivational interviewing
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems used in clinical or school settings
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with Illinois HIPAA and DCFS reporting requirements
Counselor Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a counselor in Illinois?
To become a counselor in Illinois, you must earn a master's degree in counseling or a related field and then obtain licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which issues the Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor credentials. The process includes completing supervised clinical hours and passing the National Counselor Examination. School counselors must additionally hold an Illinois Educator License with a School Counselor endorsement issued by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Which companies hire counselors in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring counselors in Illinois include Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Gateway Foundation, and Alpharus Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems, community mental health centers, and the state's extensive public school network collectively make it one of the more consistent hiring markets for counseling professionals in the Midwest.
Which Illinois cities have the most counselor jobs?
Chicago, Rockford, and Waukegan lead Illinois in counselor openings. Chicago dominates because of its concentration of hospital systems, community mental health agencies, and Chicago Public Schools, while Springfield and Rockford generate steady demand through state government behavioral health programs, regional medical centers, and expanding school district counseling mandates that have increased headcount across those metros in recent years.
Are there remote counselor jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because many counseling roles involve in-person sessions, school presence, or hands-on crisis response. About 36% of counselor openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with telehealth counseling and some employee assistance program roles being the segments most likely to offer fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a counselor in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a counselor intern or case manager role while completing your supervised clinical hours toward Illinois licensure. Large Illinois employers such as Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Thresholds, and the Chicago Public Schools system regularly bring on pre-licensed counselors who are working toward their LPC under supervision. Holding a provisional Licensed Professional Counselor credential from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation signals readiness to employers and opens doors that require licensure in progress rather than full licensure.
Where can I find and apply to counselor jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to counselor jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Illinois employers across clinical, school, and community settings. Search the listings for roles that match your license status, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 143+ Counselor Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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