Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellor

Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellor

Clinical Services Department

Onsite

Full Time, Permanent

Level 8

Requisition Number: CSD-, CSD- & CSD-

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day.

More than a place to stay, we provide life‑changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on‑site and, in the community, health and well‑being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

The Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellor provides individual psychotherapy to youth who are experiencing, exiting, or at‑risk of homelessness. Through working in an anti‑oppressive and trauma‑informed manner, this position supports youth to work towards self‑identified goals related to their mental and emotional wellbeing. This position works with youth both individually and in collaboration with their broader care teams. The role provides flexible and low‑barrier services in‑person and virtually, both onsite and in the community according to the needs of youth.

We are currently recruiting for 3 Full‑time, Permanent Mental Health & Substance Use Counsellors. These are replacement roles within the organization.

• Use a youth‑centered approach to assess and work with youth on goals related to their substance use and mental health in ways that are responsive to their individual needs, strengths, and desires.
• Draw from a sound understanding of adolescent development to apply therapeutic interventions suitable for working with mental health, substance use, and complex trauma.
• Complete and maintain case notes, program‑related documentation, and client files according to professional standards and agency policies.
• Participate in program‑related data collection, research, and evaluation to ensure that the program is accessible to and meeting the needs of youth.
• Support youth to access programs and resources that support their goals and wellbeing.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with other service providers and work collaboratively as part of youths’ continuum of care.
• Run groups and group‑based activities for youth as needed.
• Participate actively in personal and team professional development through clinical supervision, practice discussions, communities of practice, and program and department meetings.

• Minimum of BSW, a degree in a counselling‑related field, or equivalent education or experience. MSW preferred.
• 3 years experience providing clinical interventions to youth experiencing and at‑risk of homelessness, supporting a sound understanding of applying relevant clinical counselling modalities.
• Knowledge of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills is an asset
• Registration with an appropriate regulatory college that authorizes the controlled act of psychotherapy (e.g., OCSWSSW, CRPO) is required
• Knowledge of issues related to youth at‑risk of or experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ2S+ identities, anti‑Black racism and other forms of race‑base oppression, mental health and substance use concerns and disorders, and developmental and learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of community resources and systems relevant to youth mental health, substance use, and homelessness.
• Excellent communication (both oral and written), organizational skills, and the ability to work independently.
• Able to provide psychotherapy to youth on a flexible schedule, both online and in‑person, and in various settings according to the needs and comfortability of youth.

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless…