JOB OPPORTUNITY
CHANGING VOICES THERAPIST

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to admin@storycatcherstheatre.org with the position title in the subject line.

About Storycatchers Theatre.

Storycatchers Theatre guides young people to transform their traumatic experiences into powerful musical theatre, developing the courage and vision to become leaders and mentors. By creating support for youth within the criminal justice system, Storycatchers prepares them to change their lives and emerge successfully from court involvement. We dedicate all our resources to meeting the complex needs of adolescents and young adults who have become involved in the justice system.  

Storycatchers Theatre has worked with young people in the Illinois juvenile justice system since 1990, developing and refining a nationally recognized, award-winning, trauma-informed creative youth development methodology. We conduct year-round residential programs in three separate juvenile justice facilities and offer a post-release performing arts jobs program, Changing Voices, to young people navigating reentry to Chicago. 

We are a collaborative organization that believes in committing to each other and the youth we serve. We implement a uniquely effective arts education model that helps marginalized young people develop the capacity to envision and pursue meaningful futures. We believe in second chances. 

Values. 

  • We believe that incarceration, whether done physically or through electronic surveillance, is harmful to young people.
    • We do not believe that incarceration leads to rehabilitation. We believe that carceral systems cause further harm to young people. We believe our role is to promote holistic healing with our young people. We will not participate in further surveillance of our young people.  
  • We believe that young people should have self-determination over their future.
    • We will not make decisions on behalf of our young people. We empower our young people to develop their own journey with our support. We are co-pilots during this experience.
  • We believe that no human being is disposable. We believe everyone is extraordinary as they are.
    • Every young person deserves unconditional support and care, regardless of the choices they have made in the past or in the current moment. 
  • We believe in abolishing all barriers to receiving support. 
    • There are no eligibility requirements to receive clinical support as a youth participant. We continue to offer support regardless of behavior or needs.
  • We believe in clinical services framed by harm reduction.
    • Clinical services should empower young people to make confident decisions about their own lives. We do not require abstinence. We believe our young people know what is best for their own lives.
  • We believe that clinicians should be radical change makers. 
    • We carry a sacred responsibility to advocate for the elimination of all oppressive systems and barriers that our young people face. 

About the Changing Voices (CV) program. 

CV is a 30-hour per week, year-round supported employment program composed primarily of emerging Black and Brown adults in the justice system who are 17-24 years of age and from disinvested neighborhoods in Chicago. The program uses story-writing, performances, civic engagement, job/life skills training, and case management support to empower youth to meet personal goals. Under the guidance of trained teaching artists, youth collaborate to create and perform original musical theatre inspired by their personal stories while also receiving comprehensive case management support.  

Position summary.  

The Changing Voices Therapist (CVT) supports alumni participants of our post-release employment program (Changing Voices) in navigating mental health challenges impacted by the community and state-based violence. The CVT is responsible for working collaboratively with the Changing Voices Case Manager to support the aftercare services of youth participants that have graduated from the 8-month program. The CVT will also lead Storycatchers Theatre’s trauma-informed care training curriculum for staff. In addition, the CVT will guide the organization in continuing to develop clinical support services to combat barriers impacting the mental health of Changing Voices alumni.   

The CVT reports to the Changing Voices Case Manager.    

Job expectations.

  • Provide individual trauma-focused psychotherapy to former Changing Voices (CV) youth participants, as requested.  
    • Manage and coordinate weekly therapy schedules with all youth participating in therapy.  
    • Maintain detailed clinical case notes and treatment plans for all clients.  
    • Collaborate effectively with the Changing Voices Case Manager to best support the needs of each client.  
    • Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress toward therapy termination readiness as needed by the case plan or program staff. 
    • Participate in weekly Changing Voices programming sessions on-site to develop and foster positive, professional relationships with current CV youth participants before graduation.  
    • Participate in clinical professional development opportunities to develop trauma healing clinical skills continually.  
  • Provide group therapy sessions as deemed necessary and appropriate.  
    • Participate in weekly clinical staffing meetings to identify current clinical challenges and develop appropriate solutions.  
    • Provide couples and/or family counseling when appropriate.  
    • Collaborate with the Changing Voices Case Manager to plan to facilitate clinical support groups when necessary to support the health of programming.  
  • Support Changing Voices Program staff in creating a safe, supportive program environment.  
    • Participate in facilitating conflict mediation circles between youth participants and/or CV staff.  
    • Support CV staff in navigating crisis situations and providing trauma-informed feedback as necessary.  
  • Provide trauma-informed care workshops to Storycatchers Theatre staff members annually and as deemed necessary.  
    • Develop trauma-informed training that can be facilitated virtually or in person, dependent on COVID-19 safety protocols.  
    • Facilitate trauma-informed care workshops annually for all Storycatchers Theatre staff.  
    • Facilitate trauma-informed care workshops for new Storycatchers Theatre staff during their training period.  

Qualifications.

  • A Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited university is required.  
  • Licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is required.  
  • Clinical supervision will be provided at no cost.  
  • At least 1 year of post-graduate experience working in a collaborative setting.  
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar programs; Internet; Email, data entry. Proficiency in utilizing online therapeutic data entry platforms is preferable.   
  • Mission-driven person with a strong work ethic, well-organized, reliable, flexible, and upbeat.  
  • Excellent written and spoken English skills. 
  • Three (3) years of experience providing individual psychotherapy to young people with significant trauma histories. Relevant experience, including past clinical internships, will be considered.  

Work environment.

  • This position is a part-time position with an average range of 18 – 20 hours per week, depending on the CV program.  Depending on the CV program and alumni, there are occasional evening and weekend requirements.   
  • CV In-person programming is Monday through Thursday, 9 am-6 pm, and flexible work-from-home Fridays. 
  • This role is considered a hybrid position (partially remote and partially in-person at the Changing Voices Program space).  

Compensation.

  • The hourly rate range is $40 – $50 per hour. As a part–time position, this role is not eligible for medical benefits.