Mental Health Counselor, 2SLGBTQ Community Programs

internal/external posting

job title: Mental Health Counselor, 2SLGBTQ Community Programs

job ID #: CPCBI MHC 25-0205

department: Community Programs and Capacity Building Initiatives

reports to: Senior Manager, Community Programs and Capacity Building

salary range: (CS4) $33.25 to $41.25 per hour

status: Full Time, Permanent

hours: 37.5 hours per week

Who we are:

Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic, and other systemic barriers. Our mission is to be a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto. While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people experiencing homelessness or who are under-housed; 2SLGBTQ+, and newcomers to Canada. We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services, the City of Toronto and many generous donors and foundations.

about the role:

The Mental Health Counselor – 2SLGBTQ Community Programs is responsible for offering ongoing support to our Black 2SLGBTQ community programs participants through collaboration with the Capacity Building Initiatives team and mental health team. In collaboration with Health Promoters, counsellor facilitates community mental health groups and offers one-on-one interventions to individual clients on an as needs basis.

Working at Sherbourne

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

we believe in work-life balance and offer:

• A competitive salary.
• Membership in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
• Up to five weeks of vacation per year (to start).
• Up to four personal days per year.
• An extended healthcare and dental package.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• An employee assistance plan.
• A generous professional development plan: up to $1,300 to be used towards learning activities.
• Up to six fully paid professional development days per year – related to position/responsibilities.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Group Facilitation, Counseling and other supports.

• Supports 2SLGBTQ community groups at Sherbourne Health through group facilitation, and short- and long-term counseling sessions.
• Works with clients and community groups to diminish social isolation and promote participation in community networks and activities.
• Provides coaching or educational sessions to equip clients with tools to navigate mental health challenges and enhance their well-being.
• Develops curriculum and delivers mental health workshops for Levelling Minds 2.O, Resilient Roots, Rise and Thrive and drop-in programs.
• Provides groups or workshops in partnership with other staff or other community organizations.
• Communicates effectively with other team members/caregivers to ensure optimum care within the boundaries of confidentiality and appropriate disclosure.
• Works with an interdisciplinary team to ensure optimum care for clients.

Counselling

• Interviews clients, prepare case histories and collaboratively assesses needs.
• Develop and implement counselling and offer skills-based interventions to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them.
• Counsels clients, provide therapy and mediation services, and facilitate group sessions.
• Provides crisis and mental health support if crisis emerges during a session.
• Provides risk assessment as part of intake.
• Refers clients to other services.
• Registers and tracks all intake using Sherbourne Health tracking and charting mechanisms.
• Collects and reports mental health services statistics.
• Periodically meets with the mental health team and other teams at Sherbourne to review the efficacy and responsiveness services.

Community Development, Education and Research

• Attends organizational and community networks and committees to work on issues that are relevant to Sherbourne's priority populations.
• Participates in the development strategies that assist clients and communities to address the broad determinants of health.
• Contributes to professional and public education by providing workshops, reports, articles and consultation.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of new approaches, social policies and relevant legislation through active professional development and study.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and movement toward defined objectives
• Participates in training/professional development at Sherbourne Health and externally to ensure competence and best practices.
• Provide public education and consultation to professionals or groups regarding counselling services, issues and methods

Administration and Program Development

• Collaborates with team members to plan and implement Health Centre initiatives and interprets implements and supports established policies and procedures of Sherbourne Health. Makes recommendations and contributes to policy formulation.
• Identifies gaps in services or problems in service delivery and works with team members, other organizations and client groups to promote new or improved services.
• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and standards of practice for service delivery.
• Completes forms, reports, and statistics as required by professional guidelines and Centre policies.
• May supervise other counselors, community programs students, and peer support volunteers.
• Performs administrative tasks as required.
• May participate in fundraising activities.

To thrive in this role, you'll need

education/experience/skills/abilities:

• To thrive in this role, you will need: in-depth understanding of the impacts of anti-black racism on mental health and wellbeing, and strong skills in support individuals with this lived experience
• Education at the Master level in social work, social science or health discipline OR equivalent in training, education, and experience.
• Ability and experience in conducting in-depth intake and assessment of potential clients from diverse backgrounds, dealing with significant challenges impacting mental health.
• Registration with a regulated health professional body that permits them to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy
• At least 3 years' experience providing therapy services to individuals with a range of presentations including histories of both acute and complex trauma
• Understanding of issues affecting the mental health of people marginalized by racism, discrimination, immigration, refugee status, poverty, homophobia and sexism.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in group work and community development.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work in English and a second language is an asset.
• Experience in access/equity/anti-oppression work

conditions of employment:

• Offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of background checks, i.e., professional references, education verification, college registration verification, criminal background check, and vulnerable sector check.
• Understands and works within the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code and other relevant legislation.

working conditions:

• This position is scheduled from Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 8:00pm and requires occasional work on weekends.
• The primary challenge(s) of this role is constant exposure to people in distress, using sound judgment in working with high-risk situations (e.g. suicide, abuse), pressure of waiting lists versus need for longer term support. The role will be supported through access to clinical supervision.

to apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume (saved as one document) quoting Job ID# CPCBI MHC 25-0205 to myjob@sherbourne.on.ca by 5:00 pm on February 20, 2025.

Sherbourne is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

BOLD.KIND. REAL.OPEN.WE CARE.