LGBTQ Therapist - OAP

WHO WE ARE:

Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs-Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness-have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by not only becoming more community based, but also by developing more preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Clinical Services or designated supervisor, and working in collaboration with the Older Adolescent Team, the LGBTQ Older Adolescent Program (OAP) Therapist carries a caseload which includes youth in care aged 17-21 years old who identify as LGBTQ. The therapist is responsible for providing individual and group therapy services, including placement stabilization services, community-based interventions, and in-home treatment. Due to the community-based nature of the work, transportation of youth in agency or personal vehicles may be required. Treatment may also aim to help youth in care with the identification, development, and restoration of family and support networks. Treatment is trauma-focused, with common clinical concerns including treatment of trauma symptoms, attachment issues, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and reluctance/resistance to treatment. The therapist will also be involved with developing trainings and conducting consultation services with OAP employees to provide support & stabilization for the sites at which the youth reside. This position requires effective verbal communication with team members, community resources and young people/families, as well as ability to provide ongoing required written documentation. Therapist must have effective use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Requires knowledge of trauma exposure, and knowledge of the 5 S's of trauma: Safety, Self-Regulation/Soothing, Supportive, Strengths, Self-Care, and an understanding of and recognition of the signs of traumatic stress. Must be able to effectively use both verbal and physical crisis intervention skills and techniques with adolescents and young adults. Physical intervention skills require the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. Therapist must also maintain flexibility to adjust work schedules according to needs of the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Carries a selected caseload of older adolescent youth in care (age 17-21), many of who identify as LGBTQ
• Rotates and travels across the Chicagoland area between Older Adolescent Program TLP and ILO sites to provide services.
• Facilitates individual, group and family therapy services.
• Formulates and frequently reviews treatment plans with supervisor
• Administers ongoing screening tools to assess the functioning, needs, and progress of the youth
• Prepares required clinical documentation such as Mental Health Assessments, Individual Treatment Plans, IM+CANS, and Quarterly Progress Reports
• Implements an intentional trauma-focused treatment process that incorporates attachment theory, cognitive behavioral strength- and evidence-based approaches, and strengths/skills based interventions
• Takes an active role in the planning and facilitation of clinical trainings for OAP team, with guidance and collaboration from Director of Clinical Services.
• Works closely with other team members to meet the needs of youth in care, through participation in site team meetings, youth staffing meetings, and site supervisor meetings
• Provides support and teaches OAP team methods for managing clinical and crisis issues
• Assists youth and employees to help create safety plans, and helps to initiate clinical consultation and services that aim to stabilize the youth's placement to reduce crisis and placement disruption
• Attends agency seminars and trainings to increase professional knowledge and skills
• Liaison to DCFS or other agency (courts, school districts, hospitals, SASS, outside treatment providers, etc.), to communicate concerns, goals, progress, and treatment accomplishments
• On call / afterhours response to clinical crisis situations when they arise
• Determines with the team, needs for adjunctive community programs (schools, recreation, jobs, vocational opportunities, medical, etc.)
• Locates and evaluates resources as needed; works closely with case management team to facilitate referrals for supportive services
• Provides services that are inclusive and affirming of all youth served
• Liaison/facilitator in community, police and neighborhood situations
• Participates in psychotropic medication reviews (an ROI would need to be provided by youth first)
• Documents all provided services as required by agency policy
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve month period
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Maintains electronic calendar to provide accounting for daily activities and provides permissions for viewing to the appropriate individuals
• Performs the above tasks under close weekly support, supervision, training, and direction of the clinical services manager or designated supervisor
• Knowledge of basic computer skills and ability to communicate effectively via email
• Maintain a professional standard when representing the agency or young people
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's or Doctorate degree in Social Work or related Human Service field with LSW or LPC upon hire.
• Experience in providing care to the LGBTQ+ population as an ally or lived experience preferred.
• LCSW or LCPC required upon eligibility.
• Experience working with LGBTQ identified individuals
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strength based approach preferred
• Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
• Valid Illinois Driver's license
• No history of child abuse or neglect
• Ability to pass background and drug screen

Highlighted benefits

• Provides full time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance for no additional cost
• Reimburses your gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid on your overall fitness and health
• Offers 100% match up to 3% on your retirement savings after 1 year of service
• All employees start off with an average of 17-25 days of PTO
• Employee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates
• 9 paid holidays off

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.