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Marriage Counselor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Requirements: · Master's Degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related field. · LCSW/LCPC/LMFT Licensure is required with at least 1 year experience ...

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Marriage Counselor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$26

$38

$55

How much do marriage counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for marriage counselor in Chicago, IL is $38.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.41 and $40.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Marriage Counselor?

A marriage counselor specializes in counseling married couples or those in long-term relationships. Your main duties are to listen to each person’s problems and feelings, provide possible ways to resolve interpersonal conflicts, and give the couples advice on how to improve the overall strength of their relationships. You have to deal with a large number of different issues at your job and be must able to provide advice free of judgment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Marriage Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Marriage Counselor, you need a background in psychology or counseling, a master's degree, and appropriate state licensure. Familiarity with therapeutic modalities, assessment tools, and secure teletherapy platforms is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and nonjudgmental communication help build trust and facilitate open dialogue between couples. These competencies are crucial for effectively guiding clients through conflict resolution and improving relationship dynamics.

What are some common challenges faced by marriage counselors in their daily work?

Marriage counselors often encounter complex emotional dynamics between couples, including high-conflict situations, communication barriers, and deeply rooted personal issues. Handling confidentiality and maintaining a neutral stance can also be challenging, especially when each partner has differing perspectives. Additionally, it can be emotionally demanding to support clients through intense periods of transition or crisis. Successful marriage counselors rely on strong interpersonal skills, resilience, and ongoing professional development to navigate these challenges while fostering a supportive therapeutic environment.

What are marriage counselors?

Marriage counselors are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in helping couples address and resolve issues within their relationships. They facilitate healthy communication, mediate conflicts, and provide strategies to improve emotional intimacy and understanding between partners. Marriage counselors may use various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or emotionally focused therapy, to guide couples toward healthier relationships. Their goal is to support couples in building stronger, more satisfying partnerships, whether that leads to reconciliation or, in some cases, an amicable separation.

What is the difference between Marriage Counselor vs Marriage Therapist?

AspectMarriage CounselorMarriage Therapist
CredentialsLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Work EnvironmentPrivate practice, clinics, community agenciesPrivate practice, clinics, hospitals
Industry UsageCommonly used term for short-term, problem-focused counselingOften used interchangeably, may imply longer-term therapy

Both Marriage Counselors and Marriage Therapists are licensed mental health professionals trained to help couples improve their relationships. While the terms are often used interchangeably, Marriage Counselors typically focus on short-term, problem-solving approaches, whereas Marriage Therapists may provide longer-term, in-depth therapy. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, making them closely related in the industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Marriage Counselor jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Marriage Counselor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Marriage Counselor jobs in Chicago, IL? For Marriage Counselor jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Marriage Counselor jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Marriage Counselor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Marriage Counselor job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 6% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,779 per year, or $38.4 per hour.
Associate Counselor DR&A

Associate Counselor DR&A

Pinnacle Treatment Centers

Merrillville, IN • On-site

$22 - $29.50/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Pinnacle Treatment Centers rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Associate Counselor
**Candidates must be able to work 1 day per weekend (weekend shift differential available) **
Part time position
We offer competitive salaries, full benefits package, Paid Time Off, and opportunities for professional growth.
Pinnacle Treatment Centers is a growing leader in addiction treatment services. We provide care across the nation touching the lives of more than 35,000 patients daily.
Our mission is to remove all barriers to recovery and transform individuals, families, and communities with treatment that works.
Our employees believe we are creating a better world where lives and communities are made whole again through comprehensive treatment.
As an Associate Counselor, you will work under the supervision of a licensed counselor within their discipline and oversee patient's treatment with appropriate scope of practice. This includes coordination and continuity of care from admission through discharge and follow-up of patients while under supervision. The Associate Counselor promotes performance improvement and service delivery by conducting individual and group sessions directed towards addressing the causes and effects of
the patient's addiction.
Benefits:
  • 18 days PTO (Paid Time Off)
  • 8 paid holidays
  • 401k with company match
  • Company sponsored ongoing training and certification opportunities.
  • Full comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short term disability, long term disability and accident insurance.
  • Discounted tuition and scholarships through Capella University

Requirements:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree specializing in psychology, counseling, or social work from an accredited college or university as may be required by the state in which the facility operates.
  • Associate, assistant, or resident level of licensure or certification in counseling, social work, or addiction, as may be required by the state in which the facility operates.
  • One (1) year experience in substance use, mental health, or related field
  • Counselors must be credentialed as any of the following under the Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA):
    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
    • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
    • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
    • Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC)
    • Psychologist
    • Physician
    • Advanced Practice Nurse or a Certified Nursing Specialist (APRN)
    • An individual credentialed in addictions counseling by a nationally recognized credentialing body approved by the division as indicated below:
      • Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
      • Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant II (CADAC II)
      • Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant III (CADAC III)
      • Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant IV (CADAC IV)
      • Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant V (CADAC V)
      • Addiction Professional in Training (APIT)
      • Certified Addiction Counselor Level I (ICACI)
      • Certified Addiction Counselor Level II (ICACII)\
      • National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I)
      • National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (NCAC II)
      • Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
      • Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Responsibilities:
  • Interface with the clinical team in decision-making process involving patients to include attending all clinical meetings.
  • Assess the counseling needs of the patient.
  • Assess the patient for substance abuse diagnosis using DSM criteria in determining appropriate level of care based on ASAM criteria.
  • Obtain previous records that are relevant to the current treatment episode.
  • Prepare the substance abuse counseling portion of the patient treatment plan.
  • Provide substance abuse counseling services specified in the patient treatment plan.
  • Develop the patient discharge/continuum of care plan to ensure movement to the appropriate levels of care.
  • Participate fully as a member of a multidisciplinary team for assigned patients.
  • Document all counseling and education services, assessments, reassessments, referrals, and follow-up in the patient's clinical record.
  • Maintain patient caseload (including all case management and utilization review updates, treatment planning duties, and clinical charting as required)
  • Provide coordination of support services for the patient and their family and record the services provided in the clinical record.
  • Reassess patients and revise the substance use counseling portion of the patient treatment plan, as necessary.
  • Facilitate family therapy as assigned.
  • Contact and coordination with referral sources (i.e., legal, school, employer, etc.).
  • Facilitate intervention for crisis-orientated issues utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach for assigned patients.
  • Carry out administrative and clinical functions as requested.
  • Attend team meetings and complete all training courses timely as required.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Join our team. Join our mission.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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