Licensed Trauma Therapist - Chicago, IL

Listed 04-27-2021

Employer: Chicago Torture Justice Center, 641 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60621 | 773-962-0395 | www.chicagotorturejustice.org

Location: Chicago, IL

Start Date: 07-01-2021

Type: Full Time

Please send a cover letter and resume to the Clinical Director, Valerie Papillon, LCSW via email at valerie@chicagotorturejustice.org with Trauma Therapist Position in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted through May 24, 2021.

We welcome conversations or inquiries about the position. Questions can be sent via email to valerie@chicagotorturejustice.org.  

Full description.

Background: 

On May 6, 2015, in response to a movement spanning three decades, the Chicago City Council passed historic legislation providing reparations to the survivors of racially-motivated police torture committed between 1972 and 1991–specifically, the twenty years of police torture orchestrated by CPD Commander Jon Burge and detectives under his command. This makes Chicago the first municipality in the United States to provide reparations to those harmed by racially-motivated law enforcement violence. 

The push for reparations was driven by the lack of redress for systemic harms; the package provides for financial compensation to the survivors; job training; free education at the City Colleges; an official apology; required teaching in the Chicago public schools; and a public memorial. Lastly, the Ordinance requires the creation of a community center informed by the needs of survivors of police torture, their family members, and community members. The Center is the first in the nation to provide specialized trauma services to those tortured by law enforcement officials within the U.S. The Center continues to pursue expanded reparations for all survivors of police torture and is part of and supports a movement to end all forms of police violence.

Position Summary:

Grounded in the Chicago Torture Justice Center’s mission, vision, politicized healing framework, and organizational values, the Trauma Therapist will collaborate with other CTJC staff members to provide trauma-informed, holistic clinical services to participants who have survived police violence and other forms of state violence. 

The trauma therapist will support the development of CTJC’s unique therapeutic model.  Clinical services include individual therapy, family therapy and group work, community events, and will be provided at CTJC and in other community-based spaces.

Position Responsibilities: 

  • Manage participant waitlist, conducting monthly check-ins with individuals awaiting clinical services. Provide initial screening for incoming clinical referrals and place prospective participants on waitlist (if necessary) informed by their current level of crisis/risk

  • Conduct intake assessments and connect prospective participants to appropriate services at the Center or to an outside referral 

  • Provide individual, family,  and group therapy through CTJC’s politicized healing lens

  • Involve survivors in the development of treatment goals and interventions that address their behavioral health needs as they view them

  • Coordinate participant-centered services in collaboration with participants’ care team at CTJC and/or with external providers  

  • Facilitate and plans community healing events

  • Maintain complete, accurate and confidential clinical progress notes, treatment plans and clinical documentation that meets agency standards and requirements

  • Reassess and review treatment progress with participants on an ongoing basis

  • Provide consultation to the clinical aspects of programming and evaluation

  • Participate in weekly staff meetings and clinical staff meetings 

  • Co-create and co-present clinical trainings to the community and internally at CTJC as needed 

  • Develop and provide presentations regarding the politicized healing clinical model to other organizations and stakeholders as needed

Essential Skills and Experience:

  • Clinical license required; LCSW, LCPC, PsyD, or PhD, ATR-BC, BC-DMT or equivalent experience

  • Experience in trauma-informed clinical practice and reflective supervision 

  • Experience working with survivors of police violence, formerly incarcerated individuals, and former members of street organizations 

  • An understanding of the impact and trauma caused by torture and state violence

  • Knowledge of community organizing and healing justice highly regarded

  • Understanding of and commitment to CTJC’s organizational values, missions, vision, history, theory of change, political strategy, and issues affecting the lives of Black, immigrant,  poor and working class, Latinx, and LGBTQ communities 

  • Proven ability to work within and across multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-gendered, and intergenerational communities 

  • Must be able to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with survivors and their families

  • Strong presentation skills and ability to conduct workshops

  • Flexibility and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently

  • Experience with planning community events and project management

  • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed

  • Comfort with computers for word processing, computer literacy preferred

  • Familiarity with Chicago


Interpersonal Skills:

  • Deep personal commitment and passion for the Center’s mission and values

  • Strong personal and professional integrity

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Strong conflict resolution skills

  • Ability to cultivate relationships with program participants, staff, community groups, and other related agencies

Location:

  • Chicago, remote for the immediate future

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a full-time position. The salary range is 55K-65K. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Full health and work benefits included.

CTJC’s Commitment to & Expectations of New Hires: 

CTJC’s commitment to all new hires is, at its core, a political commitment. We believe that in order to imagine and create the liberatory world we seek, we must continually develop new leaders and build our practices—internal and external—in alignment with our values and vision. Intentional and hands-on work with staff, fellows, and interns is one way we work towards these political goals. We are committed to a working exchange between CTJC and new hires that are useful for both parties. The Trauma Therapist will work as part of a staff team and have a direct supervisor, leadership development opportunities, and on-going support. 

To apply: 

Politicized therapists, somatic practitioners and other healing practitioners strongly encouraged to apply. Please send a cover letter and resume to the Clinical Director, Valerie Papillon, LCSW via email at valerie@chicagotorturejustice.org with Trauma Therapist Position in the subject line. Applications will be accepted through May 24, 2021. We welcome conversations or inquiries about the position. Questions can be sent via email to valerie@chicagotorturejustice.org.


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