Job Description

School-Based Therapist (McDonough County)

Location: McDonough County School Districts
Department: School-Based Services - Illinois
Employment Type: Full-Time
Shift: Monday - Friday

As Centerstone continues to grow and expand school‑based services to meet the mental health needs of students, we are excited to introduce this new School‑Based Therapist opportunity!

💰 Sign-On / Retention Bonus

Available for eligible external candidates (amount varies by licensure and experience):

• Master’s Level:$4,000

• Fully Licensed:$5,000

• A critical need allowance may also apply

Are you passionate about supporting students’ mental health and helping them succeed both inside and outside the classroom? Join Centerstone as a School‑Based Therapist, where you’ll deliver evidence‑based mental health services directly within local school settings.

In this role, you’ll assess, diagnose, and treat students while working closely with families, school staff, and community partners. You’ll help students build coping skills, strengthen relationships, and overcome barriers to academic success—while continuing to grow your clinical skills with strong organizational support.

This is an excellent opportunity for both early‑career and experienced clinicians seeking meaningful community impact, competitive compensation, and professional development.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive Salary Ranges

• LSW / LPC (Illinois): $61,000–$64,000

• LCSW / LCPC (Illinois): $68,000–$72,000
  (Based on licensure and experience)

Benefits & Perks

• 29 days of PTO

• Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and more

• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 5% employer match for part‑time and full‑time employees

• Company‑paid basic life insurance

• Eligibility for HRSA Loan Repayment ( eligibility requirements apply)

• Emergency Medical Leave Program

• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare & dependent care)

• Health & Wellness Program

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Employee Discount Program

• Mileage reimbursement ( when applicable)

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized therapyto students during the school day to support emotional, behavioral, and academic needs.

• Manage a clinical caseloadin alignment with agency guidelines.

• Support academic successby delivering prevention and early‑intervention services to reduce barriers to learning.

• Develop treatment plansand collaborate with school staff, clinical supervisors, and families to ensure coordinated care.

• Respond to crisis situationsand provide timely emotional support during emergencies.

• Coordinate referralsto internal and external community resources as needed.

• Conduct clinical assessmentsand deliver evidence‑based interventions to students and families.

• Serve as a liaisonbetween students, families, and school partners to ensure continuity of care.

Education and/or Experience Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field

• Active or provisional Illinois licensure appropriate to scope of practice.

  • LSW, LPC, LCPC, or LCSW

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of diagnostic criteria for mental health and substance use disorders

• Understanding of caseload management, rehabilitation methods, and applicable regulations

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to build rapport with students and families in both in‑person and telehealth settings

• Comfortable receiving supervision and following clinical direction

• Familiarity with clinical documentation and compliance requirements

Illinois Notice
As part of our talent review process, we may utilize technology that helps organize applicant information. This includes AI‑assisted tools that support our team by reviewing and sorting resumes in relation to the experience and qualifications connected to each role. These tools assist our recruiters, but all hiring decisions continue to involve human review and judgment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness

Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Preferred Family Health Care is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.