Mental Health Counsellor

**Mental Health Counsellor (Independent Contractor
- Travelling)**

Dalton Associates knows a team's strength is in its people, and we cannot achieve our mission without a team that reflects the diversity of the clients and communities we serve - across race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, national origin, religion, family status, disability, and experience.

**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.

As a contracted Mental Health Counsellor, you would be travelling to a remote First Nation community in Northern Ontario **at least once per month for approximately 10 days **(with approximately 3 to 4 weeks off between trips). Travel for this role is mandatory. For the duration of time out of community you would work as an Independent Contractor. There could also be opportunities to work on other programs throughout Dalton Associates, or there may be additional travel opportunities for Contractors who are interested in longer trips or those who wish to travel to multiple communities.

Dalton Associates offers a competitive daily rate, covers the cost for travel to and from community, and provides a per diem rate for food and other expenses.

**Who We Are**:

- Dalton Associates (DA) is a mental health services organization providing specialized and quality assured, psychological, psychotherapy, social work, and behavioural health services, as well as wrap-around case management, service navigation, and program development and management 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._

**Scope of Practice**:
Counsellors should have experience and skill in a variety of therapeutic modalities balanced with a commitment to Indigenous cultural humility and safety. 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 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.
- Collaborate with community-based and travelling primary care, mental health, and support service providers to ensure continuity of care for community members.
- Engage with community members and providers 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 of 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 or registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), or an acceptable equivalent (i.e., Registered Psychotherapist or Traditional Counsellor) combination of education and experience.
- Ability to travel monthly and the ability to work on a flexible schedule with dedicated time in / time out of the community.
- Experience working in Indigenous communities, with knowledge of Indigenous wellness and priorities is an asset.
- Minimum requirement of 2 years experience working in the mental health field and experience providing counselling / therapy services to children, youth, adults and/or older adults who present with varied and diverse mental health concerns.
- Strong administrative and documentation skills.
- Individual with Indigenous bac