Current jobs related to Counsellor/Psychotherapist - Kitchener, Ontario - Wilfrid Laurier University

Job Summary

The Counsellor/Psychotherapist role at Wilfrid Laurier University's Wellness Centre provides clinical and therapeutic support to registered students, using a short-term, goal-directed model. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with students to determine individual goals, challenges, and areas requiring support to maximize personal and academic success.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate intake process with students, including responding to questions, ensuring proper documentation, and providing a positive and welcoming first point of contact.
• Conduct risk/safety assessments for immediate risk of suicide, homicide, self, or other harm.
• Ensure timely, effective, and de-escalating response to risk and crisis concerns.
• Work collaboratively with Mental Health Nurse, Special Constable Service, Case Manager, and Director, Student Wellness Centre as required.
• Create safety/wellness plans for management of suicidal/self/other harm risk as needed.
• Ensure student is provided with take-away resource, facilitated referral, and clearly identified next-steps for personal support and safety.
• Ensure familiarity with crisis resources/supports.

Personal Counselling/Psychotherapy

• Maintain an active caseload and collaborate with students to identify treatment goals that are appropriate for short-term therapy.
• Create a collaborative, individualized treatment plan recognizing students' strengths and needs in accordance with professional standards and best practices.
• Provide professional counselling appropriate to address clients' personal, developmental, and psychological/psychiatric issues.
• Complete risk assessment and management plans with all clients presenting in crisis, with suicide risk.
• Provide timely crisis intervention, safety planning, support, documentation, and referral as required.
• Ensure Student Wellness Centre Director and team members are aware of students who may be at risk of harm, significant deterioration, or otherwise require support from the Wellness Centre.
• Assist students whose needs are outside the Wellness Centre scope of practice to identify and access other support services and facilitate referral.
• Facilitate group counselling/peer support groups as required.

Documentation

• Complete documentation to ensure effective safety monitoring for students at risk.
• Use shared electronic record system to document counselling appointment and related information.
• Uphold 'circle of care' approach by facilitating communication with partners external to Student Wellness Centre by obtaining appropriate consents.
• Facilitate student support by completing Student Wellness Centre verification form.

Communication

• Respond to questions and inquiries from faculty, staff, parents, and the external community with respect to Counselling support available, operational details, and crisis response/referral information.
• Facilitate critical-incident debriefing sessions on campus if required.
• Communicate to SWC Leadership Team regarding need for extended counselling support beyond short-term model.

Department/Team Support

• Actively participate in meetings and consultations with colleagues, including case sharing, professional development, and informal consultation with colleagues.
• Contribute to the effective functioning and coordination of the department through flexible staffing and service delivery.
• Participate in department meetings and committees in order to ensure smooth organizational operations and improved student support.
• Participate in peer learning/consultation opportunities to maximize optimal trust, culture, and performance within a team environment.

University Engagement

• Represent the department through participation in University committees, teams, and working groups (e.g. mental health task force, petitions committees).
• Demonstrate knowledge and comfort with University systems, processes, and practices, and support students in navigating and accessing services (e.g. petition processes, tuition fee appeal, financial support).
• Co-ordinate, facilitate, and participate in events that enhance student wellness (e.g. Radio Laurier, Mental Health Events, student workshops).
• Contribute to institutional support and emergency response planning if requested.

Supervision

• Perform clinical duties according to professional standards and requirements.
• Seek clarification and support with respect to clinical responsibilities from colleagues, the Director of Student Wellness Centre, and other professionals.
• Assume personal and financial responsibility for seeking external supervision as necessary.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counselling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Pastoral Counselling, or a related discipline required.
• Minimum three (3) years demonstrated experience, skill, and interest in providing counselling, crisis assessment and management, and related services to post-secondary-aged students.
• Demonstrated experience and ability completing risk assessments (informal) and managing risk in an outpatient setting.
• Demonstrated ability using a computerized scheduler/documentation system.
• Demonstrated skills in professional written and oral communication, reliability, flexibility, interpersonal skills, and team co-operation.
• Kind, caring, and positive approach to student support and interactions.
• Demonstrated reliability and dependability.

Hours of Work

This is a part-time, limited-term position with an end date of April 25, 2025, and a layoff period from May-August. Regular hours of work from September to April are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm with one evening required per week. Flexibility in hours may be required due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

Compensation

Level: G

Rate of pay: $50.05 to $52.90 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $57.20 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity, and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity-deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.