Imagine contributing your talent where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families and communities. Our vision is a world where every child thrives in a safe and loving family. Our mission is building families through adoption; supporting families through life’s challenges; and strengthening communities through education. At The Cradle you will find a legacy of excellence and a reputation for quality education that helps to inform adoption decisions.

The Cradle is a 100-year-old not-for-profit, non-sectarian adoption agency, providing lifelong support to individuals and families touched by adoption -- birthparents, adopted persons, and adoptive parents. Renowned as one of the foremost adoption agencies in the country, since opening in 1923 The Cradle has helped place more than 16,000 children into permanent, loving homes.

The Cradle is the only adoption agency in the country with an on-site nursery. It is a safe, neutral place for infants to stay while their parents take the time they need to decide if adoption will be the plan for their child. The nursery also enables The Cradle to place infants whose special medical needs may mean that it takes a bit longer to find them a home that is prepared to help them thrive. We are committed to finding a loving home for every child entrusted to our care.

Working at The Cradle is a rewarding experience. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain a talented, diverse workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values our unique differences and life experiences. As we enter our second century, we are focused on deepening our impact and increasing our relevance in the community. With that goal in mind, we are expanding post adoption therapeutic services and invite you to consider joining our team as a Therapist.

We’re open to candidates interested in working full- or part-time. (Employees who work a minimum of 30 hours per week are eligible for our full benefits package.) Most client work will be in-person, on-site. However, there will be opportunities to work remotely when seeing clients via telehealth and for completing documentation.

Essential Functions

• Provide individual and family therapy using established interventions to address issues related to trauma, loss, identity, and adoption. 
• Hold in-person and telehealth (as appropriate) therapy sessions. 
• Conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, maintain client records in Therapy Notes.
• Complete documentation within established timeframes.
• Facilitate client workshops and groups. 
• Participate in individual and peer supervision/case consultations.
• Maintain good standing with licensing and insurance entities. 
• Stay current with updated research and best practices in clinical field. 
• Safeguard client information per HIPAA standards; maintain client and agency confidentiality.

The Cradle Provides

• Office space for client appointments.
• Laptop for Telehealth appointments and client documentation.
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities.
• Administrative support for client billing.
• Credentialing assistance.
• Robust marketing support.
• Competitive pay and benefits.

• Master’s degree in mental health field and hold a valid Illinois professional license (LCSW/LCPC/LMFT).
• Three or more years of post-graduate experience. 
• Two years of experience in adoption or child welfare (preferred).
• Training and/or certification in an attachment-focused/trauma-informed specialty (preferred).
• Maintain a caseload of a minimum of 18 clients per week.
• Provide high quality, compassionate, culturally competent, and ethical treatment to clients.
• Work collaboratively with Cradle teammates, including, but not limited to other clinical team members, administrative personnel, and appropriate community contacts.
• Commitment to The Cradle’s vision, mission, and values.

Working Conditions

• Generally, works in an office environment but may occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the typical office setting.
• Must have flexibility to work weekdays, plus a minimum of two evenings per week, and/or weekends to accommodate client needs. (Exact hours will be determined based on full- or part-time schedule.)

Additional Requirements

• Staff must be fully vaccinated, have at least one booster shot, and provide evidence of Covid-19 vaccination status.
• All staff are required to undergo a background check, fingerprinting, and medical exam to meet DCFS requirements.