Job Title

JOB TITLE: Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Therapist STATUS: Full TimeORGANIZATION: Marillac St. Vincent Family ServicesFLSA STATUS: Non-ExemptDIVISION: Program and ServicesDEPARTMENT: Home Visiting/DoulaDIRECT SUPERVISOR: Director of Integrated Health ServicesDIRECTLY SUPERVISES: NoneMissionMarillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens and amplifies the voices of marginalized communities in the Vincentian spirit of service through education and programs tailored to foster thriving families and sustainable communities in Chicago.Core ValuesOur employees commit themselves as individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.Integrity - Acting with transparency, humility and honestyExcellence - Providing quality care with compassionCreativity - Being continuously resourceful and inventiveAdvocacy - Supporting the cause of those who lack resourcesfor a reasonable quality of lifeRespect - Recognizing our own value andupholding the dignity and value of all peopleEmpowerment - Providing skills and resources to achieve full human developmentPosition SummaryThe Mental Health Therapist provides trauma-informed mental health support to pregnant individuals, new parents, infants, and families participating in Home Visiting and Doula Services. This position promotes maternal emotional well-being, healthy parent-infant attachment, and family resilience by providing mental health screening, counseling, consultation, and referrals.The therapist works collaboratively with parent educators, doulas, and interdisciplinary program staff to address perinatal mental health needs and strengthen family protective factors during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.This role also supports staff capacity building through consultation, training, and reflective practices, while ensuring program compliance through accurate documentation and participation in program monitoring activities.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesMental Health Assessment and CounselingConduct mental health screenings and assessments for pregnant individuals and caregivers, including screening for depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress.Provide short-term counseling and therapeutic support related to perinatal mental health, parenting stress, grief, and life transitions.Support families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, or emotional distress.Provide dyadic or family-centered support to strengthen caregiver-infant bonding and attachment.Assist families in developing coping strategies, stress management skills, and emotional resilience.Collaboration with Parent Educators and DoulasProvide mental health consultation to Parent Educators and doulas regarding family emotional well-being, parenting challenges, and behavioral concerns.Participate in case conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate services.Conduct observations of home visits or family interactions when appropriate to support staff and improve service delivery.Assist parent educators and doulas in responding to maternal mental health concerns during pregnancy and the postpartum period.Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and relationship-based practices across program services.Parent Education and Family SupportFacilitate parent workshops and educational sessions on topics such as:maternal emotional healthinfant mental health and developmentstress managementattachment and bondingpositive parenting strategiesFacilitate parent support groups that promote emotional wellness, peer support, and healthy family relationships.Provide individualized parent coaching and guidance to strengthen caregiver capacity and confidence.Staff Training and Technical AssistanceLead staff trainings and professional development sessions on topics including:perinatal mental healthtrauma-informed careinfant and early childhood mental healthfamily engagement strategiesProvide technical assistance and consultation to staff regarding challenging family situations.Support staff through reflective discussions and case consultations to enhance service quality and staff well-being.Referrals and Community CoordinationConnect families with community mental health providers, healthcare providers, and social service resources.Coordinate care with healthcare professionals and community partners to support family well-being.Follow up on referrals to ensure families successfully access recommended services.Documentation, Monitoring, and ReportingMaintain accurate and timely documentation, including assessments, case notes, and service plans.Support program monitoring activities, including record reviews and data collection.Assist with completion of reports and required documentation related to mental health services and program outcomes.Ensure confidentiality and compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and program requirements.Meetings and Professional DevelopmentParticipate in organizational and program meetings, including team meetings, case reviews, and interdisciplinary collaboration sessions.Engage in ongoing professional development, training, and reflective supervision.Stay informed of best practices in perinatal mental health, infant mental health, and family-centered care.Contribute to program planning, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement efforts.QualificationsEducationMaster's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field required.LicensureLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), LCPC, LMFT, or equivalent clinical license preferred. License-eligible candidates may be considered.ExperienceMinimum 2-3 years of experience providing mental health services.Experience working with pregnant individuals, postpartum parents, infants, or young children preferred.Experience in home visiting, maternal health, doula programs, or community-based family services strongly preferred.Knowledge and SkillsKnowledge of perinatal mental health and infant mental health principles.Understanding of trauma-informed and family-centered care.Ability to work collaboratively with parent educators, doulas, and interdisciplinary teams.Strong communication, documentation, and facilitation skills.Work EnvironmentServices may be provided in family homes, community settings, healthcare facilities, or program offices.Regular travel within the service area may be required.Flexible scheduling may be necessary to meet family needs.Other RequirementsAbility to manage physically active children ages 3 to 5.Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 to 25 pounds.Must have valid driver's license and auto insurance when the position requires an employee to operate a motor vehicle in connection with executing the position's responsibilities, which include driving to and/or from any agency function.Screenings: The applicant must submit to a criminal background check and a child abuse and neglect screening and maintain a cleared status throughout employment.The applicant must submit to and pass a TB and health screen, including MMR and Tdap immunizations upon hire and update TB/physicals as required by the licensing standards. Additional Requirements:Regular travel locally and occasional travel to other locations in the state.This job description does not constitute an employment contract or an offer of employment. Marillac St. Vincent Family Services reserves the right to change and/or modify this job description. Every effort has been expended to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of the job descriptions; however, it is not possible to detail every single task of the job or predict some circumstances and changes. As a result, employees may be assigned to perform other related duties in support of the program and the mission of the agency. Marillac St. Vincent Family Services is an equal opportunity employer.