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Somatic Practitioner Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Somatic Practitioner information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$42.8K

$134.2K

$206K

How much do somatic practitioner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for somatic practitioner in Chicago, IL is $134,223.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,300.00 and $154,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a somatic practitioner?

Somatic Practitioners are professionals trained to help individuals become more aware of the connection between their bodies and emotions. They use body-centered techniques such as movement, breathwork, and touch to support healing from trauma, stress, and emotional difficulties. Somatic Practitioners often work with clients to release tension, improve body awareness, and foster a sense of safety and well-being. Their approach integrates principles from psychology, neuroscience, and bodywork to promote holistic health.

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

To thrive as a Somatic Practitioner, you need a solid understanding of body-based therapies, trauma-informed care, and somatic psychology, often supported by specialized training or certification in somatic modalities. Familiarity with therapeutic frameworks such as Somatic Experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and client management tools is typically required. Exceptional listening, empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to create a safe, supportive environment help practitioners stand out in this role. These skills are vital for effectively guiding clients through body-oriented healing processes and fostering lasting emotional and physical well-being.

What are some common challenges somatic practitioners face when working with clients, and how can they be addressed?

Somatic Practitioners often encounter challenges such as clients having difficulty connecting with bodily sensations, resistance to emotional processing, or uncertainty about the process. Building trust and creating a safe, non-judgmental environment are essential strategies for overcoming these barriers. Practitioners typically use grounding techniques and paced interventions to help clients gradually become more aware of their bodies and emotions. Ongoing professional development and supervision can also provide valuable support for handling complex client situations.

What is the difference between Somatic Practitioner vs Somatic Therapist?

AspectSomatic PractitionerSomatic Therapist
CredentialsVaries; often includes somatic training, certifications in bodywork or movementTypically licensed mental health professionals with additional somatic training
Work EnvironmentPrivate practice, wellness centers, workshopsTherapy clinics, mental health facilities, private practice
Industry UsageHolistic health, wellness, alternative therapyPsychotherapy, mental health treatment

While both roles focus on body awareness and healing, a Somatic Practitioner often emphasizes holistic bodywork and movement techniques, whereas a Somatic Therapist integrates somatic methods within mental health therapy, often requiring licensure. The choice depends on whether the focus is on physical bodywork or mental health support with somatic approaches.

How do I become a somatic practitioner?

To become a somatic practitioner, you typically complete specialized training or certification programs in somatic therapy, bodywork, or related fields. Gaining practical experience through internships or supervised practice and developing skills in body awareness and mindfulness are also important steps. Licensing or certification requirements vary by region and specific modality.

What qualifications do you need to be a somatic practitioner?

To become a somatic practitioner, individuals typically complete specialized training or certification programs in somatic therapy, bodywork, or related fields. Many practitioners also have backgrounds in psychology, massage therapy, or other healing arts, and ongoing professional development is common. Certification requirements vary by region and modality but generally include hands-on training and supervised practice.

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Somatic Practitioner jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Somatic Practitioner job openings:

Infographic showing various Somatic Practitioner job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $134,223 per year, or $64.5 per hour.

Full-Time Therapist: Licensed Clinician

Centered Therapy Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Full-Time Therapist: Licensed Clinician

Centered Therapy Chicago (CTC),is a woman-owned, relational group practicelocatedin the Ravenswood/Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. We practice from a feminist, relational, strength-based framework and integrate mindfulness,movement,creative/expressive therapies, and body-oriented approaches into our clinical work.


We are currentlyseekinga full-time independently licensed clinician (Licensed Clinical Psychologist, LCPC, or LCSW) to join our team. As we continue to deepen our somatic and trauma-informed offerings, we strongly encourage applications from clinicians trained in Somatic Experiencing (SE), NARM (NeuroAffectiveRelational Model),EMDR,IFSor other advanced body-oriented trauma modalities. Significant clinical experience in these models is preferred.


CTC was founded over 12 years ago by a NARM Master Therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who remains actively engaged in supervision, consultation, and leadership within these training communities. Clinicians with body-oriented training will find meaningful collegial support and alignment here.


This position is hybrid, with a balance of in-office and remote clinical work.

CTC values a diverse workplace and strongly encouragespeople of all genders, sexualidentities,abilitystatuses, religions, immigrationstatuses, and racial and ethnicidentitiesto apply.CTCis an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexualidentity, genderidentity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medicalcondition,or any protected category prohibited by local,state,or federal laws.


Who Thrives Here

The clinician who thrives at CTC:

  • Works from amulticultural, feminist, relationalframework
  • Has experience working withpeople with lived experiences oftrauma or complex trauma, attachment challenges, relational or relationship concerns, life transitions,eatingrelated concerns, immigration or firstgeneration experiences, grief and loss,and/or identity development.
  • Demonstrates cultural humility and attunement to sociocultural context
  • Values depth-oriented clinical work overshort-term, solution-focused work
  • Is committed to ongoing professional development


Additionalexperience in couples therapy, child/adolescent work,familytherapy,and/orHAES/Intuitive Eating-informed approachesis welcomed and complementary.

Our Structure

At CTC, sustainability is structural. We do notoperateas a high-volume productivity model.


Full-time cliniciansmaintaina caseload of22 sessionsmetper week (26-28scheduled), with protected time away from work and no on-call expectations. The practice closes for six major federal holidays to protect clinician schedules during high-cancellation periods.


New clinicians are gradually ramped to a full caseload, withapproximately 15-20 clients assigned within the first90 daysto support sustainable growth. Dedicated administrative time is built into schedules during onboarding to prevent after-hoursdocumentation burden.


We provide:


Clinical & Professional Support

  • Weekly individual clinical supervision for during first year of employment (biweekly thereafter for independently licensed clinicians)
  • Ongoing administrative supervision to support documentation, compliance, and workflow integration
  • Sustainable onboarding and orientation
  • Weekly didactic training during the academic training year (required during first year)
  • Monthly connections all-staff meetings
  • Monthly peer lead case consultation meetings
  • Monthly professional development meetings focused on ethics, consultation, and professional development (CEs offered)
  • Participation in our CTC Training Center with a focus on supporting training center events and building curriculum and/or presentation skills


Operational Support

  • Full billing and credentialing support, including paneling with BCBS, United, and Aetna
  • Intake coordination with attention to client assignments that are the right clinical fit
  • Marketing and referral support
  • Furnished office space andcommon areasfor in-person collaboration
  • 24/7 crisis consultation support


Compensation & Benefits

  • W-2 employment status
  • Compensation:
    • Independently licensed master's levelclinicians are estimated to earn $70,500-$81,000 annuallybased onmeeting or exceeding expectations.
    • Licensed Clinical Psychologists are estimated to earn $85,000 - $95,000 annually based on meeting or exceeding expectations.
  • Health insurance (CTC contributes 25% of individual premium)
  • Retirement plan with 3% match after two years
  • Paid leave and sick leave
  • Liability insurance
  • $400 annual technology stipend
  • PrivateTalkRoutephone line


Requirements

  • Completion of Master's and/or Doctoral Degree
  • Independently Licensed in Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, LCPC, or LCSW
  • Demonstrated experience working with diverse client populations
  • Strong commitment to relational, multicultural, and trauma-informed practice


    This is a full-time position. To meet criteria for full-time employment, employee must work a minimum of 30 hours a week and maintain a caseload of 22 sessions met per week.


    To Apply

    Pleasesubmitan individualized cover letter, CV, and list of three references. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.


    For additional questions, email Dr. Tracy Bischoff at drbischoff@centeredtherapychicago.com