1

Group Therapy Leader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Adult Group Therapist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47K - $65K/yr

Weekly outpatient therapy isn't always enough, and a trip to the ER isn't the only answer. Patients ... Who We Are Compass Health Center is a recognized leader in crisis-level mental health, bringing ...

Group Therapist

Webster Groves, MO · On-site

$65 - $90/hr

As leaders in children's mental health and wellness, St. Louis Children's and KVC Health Systems ... Master's degree in Social Work, Family Therapy or Counseling from an accredited institution ...

Showing results 41-60

Group Therapy Leader information

See salary details

$10

$25

$72

How much do group therapy leader jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for group therapy leader in the United States is $25.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a group therapy leader do?

A Group Therapy Leader is a mental health professional who facilitates group therapy sessions, helping participants discuss their experiences and support one another under guided supervision. They create a safe and structured environment, encourage open communication, and use therapeutic techniques to address group dynamics and individual needs. Group Therapy Leaders often work with people facing similar challenges, such as addiction, grief, or anxiety, and help them build coping skills and a sense of community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a group therapy leader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Group Therapy Leader, you typically need a background in psychology, counseling, or social work, along with relevant licensure or certification. Familiarity with evidence-based therapeutic modalities, group facilitation tools, and client management systems is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to foster trust and cohesion among group members help individuals stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for creating a safe, supportive environment that promotes healing and positive group dynamics.

What are some common challenges faced by group therapy leaders when managing group dynamics?

Group Therapy Leaders often encounter challenges such as managing differing personalities, ensuring all participants have a chance to speak, and navigating conflicts or emotional outbursts within the group. It’s essential to balance group cohesion with individual needs, while maintaining a safe and supportive environment for everyone. Effective leaders use facilitation techniques, set clear boundaries, and remain attuned to group moods to handle these complexities. Continuous professional development and supervision can further support leaders in overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Group Therapy Leader vs Group Counselor?

AspectGroup Therapy LeaderGroup Counselor
CredentialsOften requires a master's degree in psychology, counseling, or social work, plus relevant licensure or certificationTypically requires a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or social work, with licensure or certification
Work EnvironmentFacilitates group therapy sessions in clinics, hospitals, or community centersConducts individual and group counseling in similar settings, often with a focus on mental health or substance abuse
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers, mental health clinics, community organizationsHospitals, mental health agencies, private practices

Both roles involve leading group sessions and require similar educational backgrounds and certifications. The main difference lies in terminology and specific job functions, with Group Therapy Leaders often focusing solely on facilitating group therapy, while Group Counselors may also provide individual counseling. Both roles are vital in mental health treatment and share overlapping skills and work environments.

More about Group Therapy Leader jobs
Infographic showing various Group Therapy Leader job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,524 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Trauma Group Therapist

Compass Health Center

Chicago, IL • On-site

$47K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Weekly outpatient therapy isn't always enough, and a trip to the ER isn't the only answer. Patients and their families rely on Compass Health Center when in crisis - every day, we help people overcome depression, anxiety, suicidality, obsessions/compulsions, trauma, chronic pain, and other obstacles in order for our patients to live freely.
About This Role
At the core of Compass we believe in the power of community and connection, which is why we are committed to our group-based programming. As a group therapist, you will spend the majority of your time with our patients facilitating evidenced based groups using modalities like CBT, DBT, and ACT. We are seeking new and experienced clinicians with a passion for delivering dynamic and informative groups for our patients. If you are seeking an opportunity to provide exceptional care, we'd love to have you on our team.
Our centrally located Chicago office is nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of North Center, not to mention the social events hosted on our fully furnished rooftop!
What You'll Do:
  • Providing group therapy/ leading skills groups for patients in a safe and therapeutic milieu
  • Developing effective therapeutic group relationships that promote positive change in patients
  • Utilizing empirically-supported interventions for presenting issues and diagnoses associated with trauma, including ACT, CPT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation skills
  • Meeting individually with patients, as needed
  • Safety planning with patients, as needed
  • Charting progress of patients appropriately
  • Collaborating with treatment team and outpatient providers
  • Completing/participating in patients' discharges
  • Participating in professional development activities

Who You Are:
  • Hold the following licenses or education: LSW (or LSW eligible), LPC (or LPC eligible), LCSW, or LCPC
  • Have experience working with adults in group and individual therapy settings
  • Have background and/or training in evidence-based, trauma-focused interventions, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) (*training may be provided, if candidate lacks prior training and experience with these approaches)
  • Possess knowledge of CBT, DBT, ACT and group dynamics
  • Have previous experience working with patients in crisis as well as those who have experience trauma

We are committed to a fair and equitable work environment. The expected compensation range for this role is below. This range includes multiple career path levels across the organization; where you fall in the range is dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, your years of experience, type of experience, location, and education/certifications. Compass reserves the right to update these ranges.
Compensation
$47,000-$65,000 USD
We know job descriptions can be intimidating, so if this sounds like an opportunity for you, please don't hesitate to apply!
Who We Are
Compass Health Center is a recognized leader in crisis-level mental health, bringing passion, connection, and patient-centered care to the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient space (PHP/IOP). Based in Chicagoland, we serve hundreds of patients every day, ranging from ages 5 through adulthood, in our onsite facilities or through our flourishing virtual programming. Compass fills a critical gap between outpatient and inpatient care through an intermediate level of Behavioral Healthcare.
A few more things we want you to know: our values are super important to us, and hopefully will be to you, too. Cultural humility, teamwork, continuous improvement, connection, patient centered care, passion, innovation, and agility should be your power sources. Joining Compass is an opportunity to feel fulfilled through a joint mission towards healing our communities.
Benefits & Perks
We know that you will be dedicated to your purpose here. We look at that investment as a two-way street. We are proud to offer plenty of space for growth, and opportunities to pursue continuous development within our organization.
For eligible positions, our other benefits include: comprehensive medical/dental/vision plans, 401k program with company matching, generous PTO (including competitive parental leave after 1 year of employment), and continuous training through CEU seminars and volunteering opportunities.
What's Next?
Compass is committed to cultivating diverse and dynamic teams who exude passion for their craft, so whether or not you check all the boxes, we encourage you to apply - we'd be grateful to hear from you!