Mental Health Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Mental Health Therapist jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, with strong demand from community mental health centers, integrated health systems, and school-based behavioral health programs serving populations from entry-level clinical associates through licensed senior clinicians. Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield anchor the largest concentrations of openings, where employers like Advocate Health Care, Rush University Medical Center, and Thresholds maintain ongoing hiring across outpatient, crisis, and residential settings. Trauma-informed care, substance use counseling, and child and adolescent therapy are the most sought-after specialties statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Company: Skyway Behavioral Health
Title: Float Therapist - Mental Health
FLSA Status: Full-Time Hourly / Non-Exempt (30 - 40 hours per week)
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Skyway Behavioral Health is an innovative behavioral health center that goes beyond the treatment of psychiatric symptoms to address underlying biological, behavioral, and psychosocial causes of psychiatric disorders. Our belief is that maladaptive coping strategies are adopted by patients for survival. While adaptive at one time or in specific ways, these coping strategies are now preventing patients from living the life they want to live. Our treatments teach patients new skills that enable them to serve as their own behavioral therapists- thereby helping them to maintain recovery and generalize skills to their home environments.
At Skyway, we provide a fully immersive, intensive, whole-person experience that covers everything from neuroscience to nutrition. We believe that the path to recovery from traumatic stress requires a focus that encompasses not just symptom management but also the treatment of underlying individual, systemic, developmental, and familial traumas. We use leading-edge, specialized, evidence-based treatment modalities to help our patients address the trauma and pain behind their behaviors and diagnoses – thereby empowering them to make lasting changes in their lives.
Our team has extensive clinical and leadership experience in the areas of traumatic stress, eating disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders/pathology. At Skyway, we are committed to building a culture and team that cares for one another such that we may care for our families, communities, and clients. At Skyway, we believe that recovery is not only possible but also attainable for all patients.
Role Description
Float Therapist reports directly to the Executive Clinical Director at Skyway Behavioral Health (SBH) and is an integral and central to the treatment team. Float Therapist serve as a main point of contact for patients at PHP (Partial Hospitalization), IOP (Intensive Outpatient) and OP (Outpatient) levels of care. Float Therapists at SBH encounter a diverse array of patients and clinical needs.
Therapists provide individual trauma treatment and family/support person therapy to patients; group therapy, collaborate in treatment planning and provide DBT based phone coaching to patients as needed. Successful therapists exhibit strong interpersonal skills with patients and colleagues, creative problem solving, empathy, and passion for improving the lives of SBH patients
Essential Functions/Core Responsibilities
- Preps and provides coverage of group psychotherapy including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and evidence-based trauma treatment as needed.
- Provides flexible coverage of individual and family therapy.
- In advance of assignment, reviews applicable client charts, evaluations, customized treatment plans, and all applicable care information prior to performing therapeutic interventions.
- Provides coverage of neuromodulation integration as needed.
- Demonstrates ability to build rapport with patients and engage patients in recommended level of care and treatments.
- As clinically indicated, provide comprehensive and ongoing clinical assessment and comprehensive risk assessment and, at times, individual and family therapy.
- Completes progress notes in a timely fashion.
- Coordinates case consultation with outside providers/treatment teams.
- Presents clinical information at consultation team meetings and attends and participates in patient care and DBT consultation team meetings.
- Establishes and maintains effective communications and working relationships within a multidisciplinary team.
- Participates in weekly supervisions and quarterly trainings as needed.
- Provides DBT phone coaching, abiding by DBT structure and format, as needed and at assigned hours.
- Collaborates with the team to create and sustain a culture of compassion and healing.
- Performs duties that ensure a comfortable, clean, and safe therapeutic environment.
- Follows policies and procedures to accomplish department-specific and organizational initiatives.
- Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, federal regulations, and guidelines.
- Maintains completion of all competencies associated with role and in accordance with Skyway Behavioral Health policies and subsequent Joint Commission standards.
- Performs other job duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
- Completion of a graduate or doctorate degree (MA, MS, PhD, or PsyD)
- Must have provisional license or be license eligible (LMFT, LPC or LSW)
- Exceptional organization skills, reliable and timely.
- Has the ability to work schedules that may vary and are subject to change depending on the need of the company.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Must be fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English
- Clinical proficiency in treatment, diagnosis, and documentation.
- Has the ability to provide float coverage of therapeutic care at multiple worksites.
- Reliable form of transportation to work.
- Proficiency in Microsoft products (Word, Outlook, Excel), and familiarity with use of EHR systems.
Additional Preferred Skills
- Clinical experience with trauma treatment, eating disorders and/or mood and anxiety disorders.
- A problem-solving orientation to identify process gaps and implement practical solutions.
- 2 or more years of experience in a clinical or health care setting.
- Ability to work independently as needed yet recognize the need for support and demonstrate the willingness to ask for help.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond with confidence during challenging or chaotic situations.
- Someone who embodies Skyway values:
o Embraces the whole person.
o Commits to innovative research-based programs.
o Believes we are better together.
o Celebrates expressions of diversity.
o Believes in service and supporting our communities.
o Views leadership as a privilege to elevate others to their highest potential.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Benefits:
- Medical benefits- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
- Dental benefits- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
- Vision benefits- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- 401K Safe Harbor Match- Ameritas BlueStar
- PTO
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Floating Holidays
- Paid Sick Time
- Paid Wellness Days
- Regular clinical supervision
- Collaborative professional growth development
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work hours may vary in this leadership role and may require responding to phone calls from direct reports during off hours.
Skyway Behavioral Health is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
See All 158+ Mental Health Therapist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mental Health Therapist JobsMental Health Therapist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mental Health Therapist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Vitae Health Systems34

- LifeStance Health33

- Trio Health Partners16

- Blue Kite Wellness8

- Ellie Mental Health5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mental health therapist jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential required
- Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related clinical field
- Experience providing individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical setting
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation standards
- Ability to complete state-required background check and child abuse registry clearance
- Familiarity with Medicaid billing and managed care documentation requirements in Illinois
Mental Health Therapist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mental health therapist in Illinois?
To become a mental health therapist in Illinois, you need a master's degree in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or a closely related field, followed by supervised post-graduate clinical hours. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees licensure, with the Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker credentials being the most common pathways. Passing the required national clinical exam and completing Illinois-specific jurisprudence requirements are part of the process.
Which companies hire mental health therapists in Illinois?
Employers hiring mental health therapists in Illinois right now include Vitae Health Systems, LifeStance Health, and Trio Health Partners, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems, community mental health organizations, and school districts maintain steady pipelines for licensed and pre-licensed clinicians across the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most mental health therapist jobs?
Chicago, Naperville, and Northbrook have the most mental health therapist openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its dense population, large hospital systems, and extensive network of community mental health centers, while Rockford and Springfield draw demand from regional health systems and state-funded behavioral health programs that serve broader surrounding communities.
Are there remote mental health therapist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most clinical fields, because telehealth has been widely adopted in outpatient therapy settings. About 44% of mental health therapist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly Illinois Medicaid and private insurers now reimburse telehealth services. Individual and group therapy sessions are the most common remote-eligible work, while intake assessments, crisis services, and residential roles remain primarily on-site.
How can I get hired as a mental health therapist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for clinical associate or pre-licensed therapist roles while completing your supervised hours toward Illinois licensure. Large Illinois employers like Thresholds, Heartland Alliance, and the Chicago Department of Public Health hire associates and provisional staff specifically to build supervised experience. Roles such as case manager, behavioral health technician, or crisis line counselor at community mental health centers are strong lateral entry points, and an active Illinois LCPC or LCSW registration, even at the associate level, gives candidates a clear edge over unlicensed applicants.
Where can I find and apply to mental health therapist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to mental health therapist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across community health organizations, hospital systems, schools, and private group practices. Find roles that fit your license level, specialty, and preferred setting and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 158+ Mental Health Therapist Jobs in Illinois
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