Counsellor (Crisis Support)

Overview:
**Term: 1 year.**

The Counsellor is accountable to a Manager, Counselling Services for the provision of front line clinical mental health programs and services using anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed and affirming therapeutic approaches. Ultimately, this position underpins the Counselling mission which focuses on supporting and promoting academic success, student and campus mental health, psychological wellness, and safety within members of a diverse and global university community. The mental health, psychological wellness and safety of students are fundamental to themandate of the university since they are a foundation for personal and academic success.

**Responsibilities**:
Clinical Services - for supporting mental health and wellness, as well as personal academic and personal success to clients (i.e., primarily students)
- Clinical assessments: initial/intake assessments; risk of harm assessments
- Treatment planning
- Individual and group counselling/psychotherapy
- Responding to clients in crisis, providing same day service as needed
- Providing support coordination
- Clinical case note and report writing
- Termination planning and referral
- Working from a short-term brief therapy model along with a behavioural health perspective,the expectation is that most clients can be assisted within a limited number of meetings

Advocacy - the Counsellor is an advocate for and supports students’ academic success andpersonal learning
- Collaborate and consult with key campus support services (e.g., AccessAbility Services,Student Success Office, etc.) related to students’ personal and academic needs
- Collaborate and consult with faculty, including individual faculty members, the AssociateDeans’ offices, and academic support areas in the interest of students’ academic success,retention and graduation
- Design, facilitate and evaluate seminars sessions on various topics (e.g., coping skills, etc.)
- Design, facilitate and evaluate training to student leaders and other key stakeholdersacross campus on various topics, including suicide prevention
- The partnership for the mental health, health and wellness, well-being and safety of thecampus community includes active collaboration and teaming with a focus on client issues of shared concern

Clinical Practice - the Counsellor is committed to best clinical practice and best practice in mental health
- The Counsellor has a thorough and expert understanding of developmental issues of late adolescence (e.g., relationships, mental health, disordered eating, transition, sexuality,etc.)
- Remains current with pertinent ethical requirements, research and considerations relevant tothe fields of counselling/psychotherapy, mental health assessment and crisis management
- Maintains a high level of knowledge and awareness of changes and developments in the fieldsof higher education and counselling, and their implications for the organization and delivery of counselling and clinical services within the institution
- Represents the interest of the department at conferences, workshops, etc.

Other
- As part of a multi-disciplinary team member, the Counsellor attends interdisciplinary team meetings, department meetings, Campus Wellness meetings, and other meetings asrequested or directed by their Manager in Counselling Services
- Under the direction of their Manager, the Counsellor may provide supervision of graduatestudents who are participating in clinical residency, internship or practicum placements

Qualifications:

- A graduate degree (masters or doctorate) in the counselling professions (e.g.psychology, social work, etc.)
- Theoretical and practical training in individual and group counselling
- Registered with a College under the Ontario’ Regulated Health Professions Act (1991)
- Proven record of achievement in clinical counselling. Scope of practice must includeclinical work with adolescent and young adult population
- Experience in university or college setting is beneficial and strongly preferred
- Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written) and organizational skills
- Demonstrated initiative and strong skills in problem solving and decision making
- Proven ability to work effectively with a multi-disciplinary team
- Maintain a clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- There may be unusual hours or schedules
- At times, hours of operation include from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Position requires flexibility to occasionally shift working hours to include evenings

Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated with