Job Description
SUBSTANCE USE THERAPIST
Posted on 05/29/2026 by CATLYNE LASSER
Published 05/29/2026
Location Chicago, Illinois
Job Type Full-Time
Certification Type CADC
Company Name Thresholds
Posted By Catlyne Lasser
Address 734 W 47th St
Chicago, Illinois 60609 JOB DESCRIPTION
Contribute your substance use treatment skills and experience to make a positive change in your community! The Center for Mental Wellbeing, Thresholds' Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) is a one-stop shop for mental health and substance use services based in the south side of Chicago for families and individuals of all ages. The Center is committed to providing care regardless of ability to pay, and cares for those who are underserved, low income, are insured, uninsured, or on Medicaid. We offer a sliding scale program that provides discounted services to individuals based on family size and income. As the Substance Use Therapist, you will provide individual and group therapy in the clinic setting to community members with a profound need. Every week, you will work with individuals with substance use disorders and mental health disorders for outpatient therapy. Meet clients where they are in their recovery journey, using harm reduction practices to encourage clients in all stages of treatment from preparation to action and relapse prevention. You will meet face-to-face with the client or guardian to assess needs, identify goals, and develop integrated treatment plans. Often this will look like individual therapy sessions, but you will also provide group therapy, crisis intervention, and therapeutic workshops. You will have case consultation on an ongoing basis with your supervisor and a team of therapists. The culture at Thresholds is collaborative and supportive, providing you with the tools and resources you need for the best client care. Opportunities for training and professional development, including clinical supervision, will deepen your knowledge and expand your clinical skills in harm reduction, safer substance practices, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing. To succeed in this role, you need:
Passion for mental health and substance use advocacy
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Good writing skills
Strong time management and organization
Eagerness to improve clinical skills
Flexibility to work with different populations and needs (various ages, groups, individuals)
Competence with incorporating various modalities into practice
Willingness to work 1-2 evenings each week Education and experience:
Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or related field required
Current CADC required
Licensure preferred (LSW, LPC, etc.)
Prior experience providing substance use treatment preferred
Experience with group facilitation preferred
Bilingual in Spanish is preferred What sets Thresholds apart: Competitive pay - $57,500 - $63,500 annually
Based on licensure and post-graduate experience
Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
Dental insurance, vision insurance, choice of 4 medical insurance plans
403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
Cell phone reimbursement (up to $50/month)
Mileage reimbursement
Public service loan forgiveness Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC, CADC) Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal
Thresholds is a mission-driven agency with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We foster an environment where all feel valued and respected, a place where every employee can be themselves, thrive, and support the agency's mission. Click here to learn more:
https://www.thresholds.org/about One of the oldest and largest community mental health organizations in Illinois, we pride ourselves in being a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and one of Chicago's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, several years in a row.