Mental Health Counsellor

**Job Posting: Mental Health Counsellor **(Indigenous Mental Wellness Services, Dalton Associates)
- Dalton Associates (DA) is a mental health services organization. With a dynamic team of over 85 employees and over 150 clinicians, DA provides specialized and quality assured, psychological, psychotherapy, social work, and behavioural health services that are culturally sensitive, safe, accessible, and timely throughout the province of Ontario._
- Over the past several years, Dalton Associates has been honoured to develop strong partnerships with Indigenous communities and regional councils in northern Ontario to support the development of regional and community-based mental health and wellness programs that are tailored to the unique needs of the region/communities. We offer mental health and wellness-related community and program development support, as well as direct mental health services by regulated and experienced Masters-level mental health professionals committed to ensuring a culturally safe approach in their work._

**Job Summary**:
Dalton Associates is seeking a **Mental Health Counsellor** (“Counsellor”) who has a passion for supporting dynamic, customized, collaborative and community-focused mental health and wellness programs in partnership with Indigenous communities and regional authorities in northern Ontario.

The **purpose **of this role is to provide non-intrusive mental health counselling services that will support community members who are thriving amidst varied social, emotional, and environmental stressors. This role will provide opportunities to meaningfully engage with community members by supporting them as they pursue their mental wellness goals, harnessing individual and community capacity and engagement.

**Scope of Practice**:
Counsellors should have experience and skill in a variety of therapeutic modalities balanced with a commitment to cultural humility. Counselling / therapeutic services that align with a strength-based approach that is healing centred, trauma informed, and culturally safe are imperative to this position.

The Counsellor will be committed to providing mental health services in a community or communities in northern Ontario on a predetermined and agreed-upon scheduled rotation (e.g., 2 weeks in community, 4 weeks off), for a minimum of a one (1) year commitment.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provide confidential in-person mental health counselling / therapy for members of an Indigenous community or communities in northern Ontario;
- Provide counselling / therapy services to community members that align with a strength-based approach that is healing centred, trauma informed, and culturally safe;
- Engage community members in a process of obtaining informed consent prior to engaging in a new therapeutic relationship, ensuring information is clear for clients pertaining to their rights to confidentiality and the limits therein;
- Collaborate with community-based and travelling primary care, mental health, and support services providers to ensure continuity of care for community members;
- Engage with community members and providers in the community to develop trust and rapport;
- Ensure timely follow-up with all referred clients and referral sources to close the communication loop;
- Maintain regular communication with the Manager, Community and Regional Programs at Dalton Associates during visits to the community;
- Ensure all administrative duties are completed in a timely manner, including (but not limited to) documentation of client consent and documentation of session notes;
- Utilize the approved, secure electronic health record system for all documentation requirements;
- Participate in community and program expectations of professionalism and cultural safety; and
- Participate in team meetings as organized and facilitated by the Manager, Community and Regional Programs at Dalton Associates.

**Requirements and Logistics**:

- A Master of Social Work degree, registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Experience working in Indigenous communities, with knowledge of Indigenous wellness and priorities;
- Minimum requirement of 2 years experience working in the mental health field;
- Minimum requirement of 2 years experience providing counselling / therapy services to children, youth, adults and/or older adults who present with varied and diverse mental health concerns;
- Ability to work on a flexible schedule with dedicated time in / time out of the community;
- Commitment to practicing in a culturally safe, attuned, and reflexive manner;
- Strong administrative and documentation skills;
- Individual with Indigenous background is an asset; and
- Fluency in the Cree language is an asset.

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift

Application question(s):

- Do you have experience working in Indigenous communities?

**Education**:

- Master's Degree (req