Our Philosophy

We are a community of diversely identified humans working together to enhance the emotional, psychological and spiritual well being of individuals, families, and communities, starting with ourselves.

Live Oak Theory of Change

At Live Oak, we believe that the practice of understanding ourselves is a critical component of the journey of supporting others in understanding themselves. We believe that in order to support our clients ethically, each staff member and trainee in our community must commit to an ongoing practice of investigating our socialization into the many identities and experiences that we are managing throughout our lives. This includes our identities and experiences related to gender, sexuality, familial roles, personal history, work roles, culture, race, ethnicity, religion, familial structure, spirituality, ability, body size, body experience, neurological experience, etc. We believe that we must both investigate our socialization into identities that hold privilege as well as those that are marginalized in the communities that we live within. The foundations of this practice are:

• LGBTQIA++ Affirmative Practice
• Intersectional Practice
• Trauma Informed Practice
• Self-First

If you are interested in what we believe, our values, and resources we’ve used to develop our framework, check out this link.

About the Program

Live Oak’s Affiliate Psychotherapist Program began in 2016. At the time, Live Oak aspired to create opportunities for experienced licensed individuals to experiment with paid clinical work, even when their careers had led them down primarily administrative tracks. The majority of our Live Oak affiliates have held other full-time jobs and/or full-time life commitments. The affiliate program is intended to meet those individuals who are looking to deepen their knowledge and skill in the areas of Trauma-Informed Practice, Intersectional Practice, and LGBTQIA++ Affirmative Practice.

Who is the Right Fit for the Program?

The ideal candidate for this program has robust life experience in or outside of the clinical world. Those who have most enjoyed the affiliate program have come looking for a part-time clinical role that supplements their other primary life commitments. Ideal candidates are looking to become trained into Live Oak’s core competencies via clinical supervision, monthly workshops (starting the month after commencing at Live Oak), and collaboration with new colleagues. Candidates who are self-led and have experience navigating a variety of professional environments will be best suited for the Affiliate Program.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Couples/Family Therapy, Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, or Master’s degree in a related field and RYT or CYT credential.

Initial Clinical Licensure as an LSW, LPC, AMFT or licensed Clinical Psychologist within the state of Illinois.

At least 7 years of working experience. Please note: This working experience could be before, during, or after the completion of the clinical masters or doctoral degree.

• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in utilizing anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks within clinical practice including extensive practice with self-interrogation regarding one’s own socialization.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in LGBTQ AFFIRMATIVE PRACTICE.
  • Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience in and ability to practice from a clinical lens that holds and affirms multiple, intersecting identities, especially at the intersections of sexuality, gender, race, culture, class, and relational diversity (polyamory and non-monogamy).
  • Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience in trans/GNC and non-binary affirmative practice.

Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following clinical approaches and practice areas:

• TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE & APPROACHES
  • Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience in and ability to articulate their personal approach to trauma-informed clinical practice.
  • Strong candidates will have demonstrated expertise in a specific trauma-informed approach and/or trauma-treatment including, but not limited to: EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, Sex Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), etc.
• CREATIVE/EXPRESSIVE APPROACHES
  • Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience in a specific creative/expressive approach including, but not limited to: Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, etc.
• INTERSECTIONAL PRACTICE & APPROACHES
  • Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience in employing a systemic and anti-oppressive approach to clinical practice with specific attention to race, power, and privilege within the therapeutic dynamic/relationship.
  • Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience in and ability to practice from a clinical lens that incorporates a systemic understanding of any given client’s presenting concerns, intersections of identity, and relational dynamics between the therapist and client(s) given the therapists intersecting identities, etc.

Strong oral and written communication skills

Desirable Qualifications

• Proficiency in more than one language (including English)

Responsibilities

• To provide individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy (minimum of 7 contact hours weekly)
• To attend select training events provided by the directors or other contractual employees of Live Oak, Inc.
• To attend monthly community meetings
• To attend all designated community, consultation, and supervision meetings.
• To complete designated paperwork in a timely and accurate manner by Sunday night at 10pm on the week in which services were offered.
• Participation in 10 consecutive monthly trainings within 12 months as a part of the Foundations First Friday series, beginning immediately following the start of the candidate’s tenure at Live Oak.

Developmental Opportunities

At Live Oak, all employees have the opportunity to engage in paid administrative projects and roles outside of assigned clinical responsibilities. For Affiliates, these projects are approved by the Affiliate supervisor and co-identified by the Affiliate supervisor and the Affiliate.

Affiliates are provided opportunities (not guaranteed) to apply for employment throughout their tenure at Live Oak. With mutual agreement (Affiliate supervisor and Affiliate) Affiliates have the opportunity to be mentored into specific roles in alignment with their individual strengths.

Compensation

Live Oak Compensation Policy (updated 01/2024)

Year One Affiliate therapists are compensated 33% of their clinical receipts as documented by 10 pm on Sunday night of the week in which services were facilitated.

Benefits

Live Oak Benefits Outline (updated 01/2024)

• Collaboration and consultation with experienced mentors
• Weekly individual or pair supervision
• A working environment that values diversity and the strength that comes from difference
• Attendance at any Live Oak sponsored training event at no cost, space allowing
• User-friendly and comprehensive electronic health records system
• Administrative support/Office manager support

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume and written interview to employment@liveoakchicago.com.