Clinical Counsellor, Youth Program

**Job Summary**
The Clinical Counsellor provides counselling and support to individuals experiencing mental health and substance use issues. This position facilitates the recovery and capacity building of residents to maximize their social and economic, and other life potentials and support their goals for successful independent living in the community.

This may include confidential individual or group counselling; tailored client care plans; and referrals for additional treatment. The position will also provide education to individuals and groups on mental health and addiction related topics. The Clinical Counsellor is familiar with other services and resources in the community and works closely to provide information and support when required.

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Organizational Status*
The Phoenix Society is a multi-service agency located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia dedicated to providing accessible services and opportunities to people who face barriers related to addiction, mental health, housing, education, criminal justice involvement and/or employment. The Clinical Counsellor works within Phoenix’s Tier 4 Provincial Substance Use Treatment Program for individuals experiencing serious substance use concerns, specifically drug and alcohol issues, or have concurrent disorders.
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**Work Performed**
**Program Management**
× Participate in team efforts to maintain and continuously improve the intake, admissions and orientation process
× Conduct integrated services assessment interviews, ensuring clients’ privacy and the confidentiality of their personal information
× Assess clients’ suitability for the program and makes referrals to other agencies when necessary
× Orient clients to the program by educating them on recovery maintenance, relapse prevention, and personal and life management
× Maintain accurate client records (e.g., assessment data, client care plan, goal setting, case notes and discharge summaries, behaviour contracts, incident reports, medication logs, etc.), reports, and statistics required by management
× Ensure that all required documentation is complete and on time
× Work with the integrated addiction services team on clients’ case planning and concerns. Ask for assistance when required, communicating with case managers, social workers, probation services, etc. as required
× Make arrangements for facilities and materials necessary for group sessions
× Assist with program evaluation and obtain client feedback through questionnaires and surveys on services provided
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**Client Services**
× Act as a positive role model, coach, advisor, leader and rational authority for clients
× Teach clients effective social and interpersonal skills through daily groups and through the tasks of appropriate daily living and social activities
× Create and maintain a therapeutic environment following therapeutic community principles which encourage awareness of interdependence of community members and the value of responsible concern for oneself and others
× Work with clients and the integrated addiction services team to develop client care plans (e.g., health, housing, education, employment, etc.), recovery maintenance plans and relapse prevention plans
× Assist clients in identifying high risk situations and in establishing strategies to avoid relapse or to get back on track quickly if relapse occurs
× Monitor clients’ progress and modify client care plans as necessary
× Orient client volunteers and provide coaching, guidance and feedback on assigned tasks
× Identify and act on changing dynamics of groups by assessing verbal and non-verbal responses, and checking in regularly with participants
× Act on issues that affect the safety and stability of the residential program environment
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**Counselling**
× Respond appropriately and effectively to clients who are typically in various stages of recovery, have difficulty self-regulating and problem solving, and who may have physical, mental, social, legal and financial problems
× Demonstrate a working knowledge of accepted counselling approaches, i.e., solution-focused therapy, addiction counselling, cognitive re-structuring, behaviour therapy, and client-centred therapy with the focus on building the client’s internal capacity and potential to change
× Act as an approachable, friendly and ethical representative of the Society by building rapport with clients, enhancing clients' motivation for positive change and encouraging clients to make healthy lifestyle choices
× Provide individual and group counselling to clients affected by substance use, mental health challenges, trauma, homelessness, criminal justice involvement and other poverty related issues in a professional and ethical manner, reflecting evidence-based practices and clinical experience
× Explore the nature of clients’ problems and their meaning for the client and significant others
× Assist clients in problem solving and decision-making by fostering the client