Behavioral & Mental Health Jobs in Illinois

Wellness is important for everyone — especially for those in the business of helping others. Behavioral and mental health professionals often face unique challenges, including navigating the emotional weight of clients’ trauma while juggling high caseloads, long hours and systemic stressors. The irony? We teach others about wellness, but frequently neglect our own – I’ve seen and experienced this first-hand while carrying that emotional and mental weight. Common barriers to wellness If you’re a behavioral health professional, you’re not alone. Many in this field struggle with maintaining personal well-being while being a source of stability and care for others. Here are some barriers to watch for: Savior complex As natural problem-solvers, behavioral health professionals may feel compelled to "save" everyone. But this unrealistic expectation can lead to emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue Constant exposure to clients’ trauma causes a level of exhaustion known as compassion fatigue. As a helping professional, the accumulation of the stories your clients or patients share can take a toll.     Burnout Burnout is physical, emotional or mental exhaustion caused by chronic stress. According to the National Council for Mental Well-Being , 9 in 10 behavioral health workers experience burnout, many at moderate to severe levels. Burnout is also a leading reason professionals leave the workforce. Avoidance and denial Some professionals push their own needs aside or deny they’re struggling in order to help others. But unaddressed stress builds up and can be detrimental to your well-being, affecting your health, performance and personal life. The impact of poor wellness The challenges you endure don’t stay at work. Poor wellness can ripple across multiple areas of your life. Work-life balance When stress increases at work or in life, one can impact the other. Stress can spill into your personal life and negatively impact relationships, sleep and overall satisfaction. Having a good balance and maintaining boundaries helps keep stress under control.   Job satisfaction Increased stress, burnout and compassion fatigue can reduce your job satisfaction. When this happens, you can lose sight of the difference you’re making in others’ lives and leave you feeling less fulfilled in your work. This can even lead to reduced quality of care for your patients. Personal health Mental, emotional and physical health are all connected. When your mental health suffers, your body often does too , resulting in fatigue, insomnia or chronic illness. These challenges aren’t theoretical – they’re personal for many of us, myself included. From burnout to balance Working as a clinical supervisor and behavioral health professional in community mental health and the correctional system, I endured a lot of stress and challenges with my wellness. I realized I was trying to solve everyone’s problems and avoided my own struggles in the process. Over time, I developed severe compassion fatigue and burnout. My wife noticed I had become irritable and withdrawn. My job satisfaction declined along with the quality of care I provided my patients. Worst of all, I began having panic attacks before work while anticipating the chaos, pain and trauma I’d encounter. It was draining. When I realized that I was struggling and needed to address it, I took steps to make changes. Here are a few things that helped me begin healing: Set boundaries We often teach our clients that setting boundaries is healthy. But how often do we set healthy boundaries for ourselves? When I finally did, it made a big difference. I stopped bringing work home, clocked out at 5 p.m. and honored that limit. That boundary helped restore my energy and gave me time to reconnect with my family and myself. Seek professional help Yes—I’m a therapist who sees a therapist. And I encourage others to do the same. We see and experience a lot of difficult things, and talking with someone who understands what you experience can be beneficial. You don’t have to carry it all alone. Prioritize personal time I need time alone to recharge. As an introvert, spending time by myself is critical for my well-being. So, I carved out 30 minutes a day for me. If you’re more extroverted, your personal time might look like attending a game, book club or concert, whatever fills your cup. Practice mindfulness I started slowing down and checking in with my thoughts and feelings more intentionally. Meditation, self-reflection and calm breathing exercises helped me overcome my panic attacks and consider different perspectives. As behavioral and mental health professionals, we endure stress the average person does not. The emotional labor of this work is immense. Without intentional wellness practices, the risks are high: imbalance in work and life, burnout, compassion fatigue, health issues and job dissatisfaction. You deserve to feel whole — not just at work, but in life. Setting boundaries, getting support, scheduling personal time and being mindful of your needs and emotions are some ways to support your mental well-being. Remember, you’re not alone. Help is available  and wellness is possible. Additional resources for wellness and self-care: 10 Self-Care Tips for Psychologists, Therapists & Counselors 11 Self-Care Tips for Therapists Self-Care for Therapists: 12 Ways to Help Yourself Written by Taylor Blakeley, PhD, CRSS Dr. Blakeley is an assistant professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine, project manager with the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center, and adjunct professor at Purdue University Global. He holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Liberty University, graduating with highest honors, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Benedictine University. He is a Certified Recovery Support Specialist and former clinical supervisor in behavioral health and correctional institutions. Dr. Blakely teaches Mental Health First Aid to various populations and is an advocate for developmentally disabled individuals seeking employment.

Behavioral health careers span a wide range of specialties that support the mental, emotional and psychological well-being of individuals and communities. Professionals in this field focus on how habits, environments and medication impact a person’s overall health. Some roles require advanced degrees and licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Others require a certification through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). Below is an overview of several behavioral health professions. Professions that require licensure Psychiatrist Psychiatrists are licensed physicians who complete medical school and at least four years of psychiatric residency training. Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental illness, provide therapy, prescribe medication, conduct research and offer short- and long-term care. This career requires 12 to 15 years of post-secondary education. Psychologist Psychologists hold a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) and are independently licensed. They provide therapy, conduct psychological testing and assessments and may be involved in research. Types of psychologists include: Clinical psychologists : Diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders ranging from temporary challenges to severe mental illness. Counseling psychologists : Assess and treat patients with social and emotional challenges, such as grief, work stress or relationship issues. School psychologists : Work in schools to assess, diagnose and treat behavioral or learning conditions. They implement treatment plans, evaluate progress and provide therapy to students and families. Some psychologists pursue subspecialties, such as neuropsychology which focuses on advanced assessments related to brain function. Becoming a licensed psychologist typically requires 10 to 14 years of post-high school education. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) PMHNPs are advanced practice nurses with a master’s degree in nursing and a specialization in psychiatric mental health care and have passed the PMHNP board certification exam. They provide clinical services, conduct assessments, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans and prescribe medication. Most PMHNPs complete 6 to8 years of education after high school. Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) LMFTs hold a master’s degree in counseling or a related field. They are independently licensed to treat individuals within the context of their relationships and family systems. LMFTs help with issues such as low self-esteem, stress, addiction, family conflict and relationship difficulties. Becoming an LMFT typically takes 6 to 8 years of education after high school. Licensed social worker (LSW) LSWs hold a master’s degree in social work. They provide social services to individuals, groups or communities in areas such as casework, group counseling, community organizing, administration or education. An LSW can only provide services under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) LCSWs also hold a master’s degree in social work, along with additional supervised clinical training. They hold independent licensure and are qualified to provide therapy and address behavioral health needs. Licensed professional counselor (LPC) LPCs hold a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and offer assessments, diagnoses, treatment planning and counseling to individuals, couples and groups. An LPC can only provide services under the supervision of a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). Licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) LCPCs also complete a master’s degree in counseling or a related field, and additional training to qualify for independent licensure. They treat emotional and mental health disorders, offer psychotherapy and help people manage behavioral and relationship concerns.  Professions that require certification Certified recovery support specialist (CRSS) CRSS professionals use their lived experience in mental health recovery, including co-occurring substance use disorders. They must have a high school diploma or GED, complete training and supervision and pass a state exam. Certified alcohol and other drug counselor (CADC) CADCs are peer professionals trained to support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. They must have a high school diploma and complete specific training. Behavioral health careers offer a variety of paths, each with different training requirements and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. No matter the role, these professionals help improve lives and support healthier communities. Explore job openings: Behavioral Health Workforce Center Job Board For more information: Behavioral Health or Mental Health? Which Is It? Illinois Certification Board – Credentialing IDFPR Professions List Written by Taylor Blakeley, PhD, CRSS Dr. Blakeley is an assistant professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine, project manager with the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center, and adjunct professor at Purdue University Global. He holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Liberty University, graduating with highest honors, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Benedictine University. He is a Certified Recovery Support Specialist and former clinical supervisor in behavioral health and correctional institutions. Dr. Blakely teaches Mental Health First Aid to various populations and is an advocate for developmentally disabled individuals seeking employment.

Integrated care is an evolving field that provides patients with comprehensive, coordinated support for their medical and mental health needs. It can take different forms across various organizational settings, ranging from minimal collaboration between medical and behavioral health (BH) providers to fully co-located, team-based care. For those hoping to work in this field, preparing for an integrated care role requires careful thought and preparation. Below are some key questions to consider when exploring these roles. What is integrated care? Integrated care is a health care approach that unites different aspects of a patient’s health to provide well-rounded, personalized care. It involves professionals from multiple disciplines working together to address all aspects of a patient’s well-being—physical, mental and social. This team-based approach includes the patient, their family and the community as active partners in the process. The goal is to improve health outcomes in an efficient, affordable and rewarding way for both patients and providers. Two prominent models of integrated care are commonly used in primary care settings: Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) The PCBH model is designed to improve access to behavioral health services within primary care settings for all patients, regardless of their health concerns. In this approach, BH professionals collaborate directly with medical providers in real time to ensure seamless care. A key goal of the PCBH model is to enhance access to care while supporting the medical team’s interventions. In this model, behavioral health providers are often called into exam rooms to work with patients through a process known as a “warm handoff,” in which the patient sees the physician first and then the BH provider. For follow-up visits, the patient may see one or both providers depending on their needs. BH providers address mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety and ADHD, as well as physical health issues such as diabetes management, hypertension and sleep disorders. Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) The CoCM model is designed to improve clinical outcomes for patients with mental and behavioral health needs. It typically involves psychiatric providers consulting with primary care providers (PCPs) on complex cases to ensure optimal treatment. CoCM often integrates substance use treatment and recovery, such as Suboxone, into primary care. This model expands the care team by adding a consulting psychiatric provider—such as a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric fellow—and a care manager. The care manager provides proactive follow-ups and tracks patient progress, while the consulting psychiatric provider offers treatment recommendations to the PCP. This team-based approach ensures that patients receive evidence-based treatments and ongoing support. By implementing these models, integrated care breaks down traditional silos in health care, fostering a more cohesive and patient-centered approach to wellness. What courses should I take to prepare for integrated care? To best prepare for a role in integrated care, consider taking courses that focus on evidence-based, brief interventions, such as: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): Learn strategies to help patients quickly identify goals and leverage their strengths to achieve desired outcomes. Motivational Interviewing (MI): Build skills to support positive behavioral change by exploring patients’ feelings, addressing uncertainty and strengthening motivation. Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Develop the ability to deliver short-term, targeted interventions that combine cognitive and behavioral techniques to help patients modify negative thought patterns and behaviors. What commonalities exist between integrated care positions? Assessing a wide range of positions in integrated care can be daunting, as different organizations may classify roles differently. Look for these common themes across positions: Collaboration: Whether formal or informal, working alongside medical providers is central to the role. Brief interventions: BH providers often deliver time-limited, solution-focused care. Diverse responsibilities: Roles may include aspects of education, consultation, therapy and crisis intervention. Patient-centered care: Treatment plans are typically aligned with patients’ goals and integrated into their overall health plans. What questions should I prepare for in an interview setting? Interviews for integrated care positions vary by organization, but you can expect questions such as: How do you approach working with a multidisciplinary team? Can you describe a time when you used a brief intervention to address a patient’s concern? What interventions have you found most effective in substance use treatment and recovery work? What experience do you have with electronic health records and documentation in a fast-paced setting? How do you balance addressing patients’ immediate needs with long-term care planning? How do you manage high caseloads and rapid patient turnover? What questions should I ask during an interview for an integrated care position? Asking questions in an interview can help clarify expectations and determine whether a role is a good fit. Consider asking: How does the organization define integrated care? What is the current level of integration within the team? Are BH and medical providers co-located? What aspects of the program will I be responsible for, and how is this determined? How often do team members from different disciplines collaborate? How many clients will I see in a day, and how is the schedule structured? What is the typical schedule structure, and how much flexibility exists in scheduling? What diagnoses or patient populations are a primary focus of the program? Who else is on the team, and what are their roles? How many medical providers would be referring to each BH provider on a given shift in this position? How long has the team been working together, and what successes or challenges have they faced in implementing integrated care? Are there specific programs targeting particular diagnoses, and what is the provider’s role within those programs? Preparing for a career in integrated care can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating different roles and expectations. This guide offers a starting point to help you through the application, hiring and onboarding process as you pursue a role as a behavioral health provider in integrated care.