Mental Health Counsellor

**Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC)** is a diverse, dynamic, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by sharing and promoting traditional and western health practices to enable people to live in a more balanced state of well-being. SOAHAC provides services to Indigenous people including those who live on and off reserve, status, non-status, Inuit, and Metis within the Southwest, Waterloo Wellington and Erie St Clair regions. SOAHAC has a mandate of ensuring that health services are accessible, of high quality, and are culturally appropriate. It is SOAHAC’s objective to build health care capacity within Indigenous communities. Currently, we are seeking the services of a **Mental Health Counsellor**to join our interdisciplinary staff team to work at our **Owen Sound site.**

Reporting to the Integrated Care Manager, the **Mental Health Counsellor** is responsible for providing effective and comprehensive assessments, counselling and case management for Indigenous people who are living with mental health and/ or substance use issues. This role will be part of an interdisciplinary care team and will also be expected to work and partner with external service providers.

**Requirements**:

- Masters level education and professional membership an asset (MSW, RSW preferred) or related education at a Masters level such as counseling or psychology combined with at least 3 years’ direct experience
- Post-graduate Addictions degree or diploma or equivalent experience preferred
- Knowledge of FNIM Traditional Teachings, Culture, Values and History, including intergenerational trauma
- 3-5 years of experience working with the Indigenous community using a wholistic model to incorporate traditional beliefs, values and culture-based practices into the therapeutic work to promote wellness and healing
- 3-5 years of experience in working with mental health, including providing trauma informed care.
- 3-5 years of experience and/or education in working with substance and/or behavioural addictions, including: concurrent disorders, stages of change, motivational interviewing, harm reduction and relapse prevention
- Knowledge of and ability to use structured screening, assessment, and treatment tools.
- Experience in the delivery of both individual and group counseling using evidence informed approaches
- Knowledge and understanding of services available to FNIM people in Owen Sound and area
- Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Proficient time management, organizational and computer skills
- Demonstrated communication skills, interpersonal skills, and professionalism.
- Travel within Owen Sound area, as well as, SOAHAC sites as required
- Willingness to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies.
- Clean and current vulnerable sector police check as a condition of employment
- Valid Ontario Driver’s “G” license; clean driver’s abstract, as well as proof of personal auto insurance (must be insured a minimum of 3 years and in good standing)
- Up-to-date immunizations and records

**Responsibilities**
- Provide or facilitate the provision of services through a culturally based framework
- Complete screening and comprehensive assessments for issues related to mental health, substance and behavioural addictions
- Develop wholistic, patient centered, individualized treatment plans
- Facilitate individual and group counseling sessions focused on improved health and wellness using evidence-informed therapeutic techniques
- Coordinate access and referrals to local community resources
- Collect, monitor and maintain detailed records on individuals and groups
- Consistently work in collaboration with SOAHAC’s Integrated team
- Perform ongoing evaluation and improvements to programing and client outcomes
- Partner with community providers to deliver health and wellness activities as appropriate
- Represent SOAHAC at community events
- Provide outreach as required, i.e. attend home and/or hospital visits
- **This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.**_

Pay: $69,200.00-$86,500.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Extended health care

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Master's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-02-05