Counsellor II

Job Summary: Developmental Services provides counselling, support, and intervention services to First Nation children, youth with a developmental diagnosis from communities served by SLFNHA. Most of these communities are remote, not road accessible and only reachable by air transportation.

This counsellor works in close collaboration with all community resources and assists with capacity building. The Counsellor II - Dual Diagnosis reports to the Manager - Clinical, Developmental Services and has clinical support through a clinical Psychologist.

2025 Salary Range: $88,049 - $113,338

Position Type: Full-Time

Posting Type: This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or masters degree with a major in Counselling Psychology, Social Work or related field
• Registration with College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario or Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or another recognized professional counselling college
• Must have at least 2 years' experience working with children, adolescents and/or families in a clinical capacity, and have working knowledge of servicing clients with Developmental Disabilities and providing Mental Health Services to them
• Knowledge of child development and neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism, FASD etc)
• Knowledge of techniques and principles of the family systems theory, crisis therapy intervention, individual/family/group therapy, trauma response, child abuse and family violence, cognitive behavioral therapy, suicide intervention
• Must have experience with assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately
• Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements
• Experience developing presentations and facilitating group work/therapy
• Can approach work holistically using a wellness model (as opposed to an illness one) which highlights and encourages client's strengths
• Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own wellbeing
• Strong set of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport effectively with clients and partners
• Excellent written, verbal and computer skills
• Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills
• Self-starter to work independently with initiative and highly adaptable
• Knowledge of First Nations culture, history, community-based services, geographic realities and social conditions within remote First Nations communities
• Previous experience working with First Nations communities is an asset
• Prior work collaborating within school systems is an asset
• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset
• Must understand and utilize a trauma informed approach to care

Responsibilities and Duties

• Regular travel to First Nations communities to provide counselling, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, family counselling as required, group work and case management
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to provide a collaborative holistic approach to care.
• Develop treatment plans, goals and plans
• Assessment of risk factors, clinical management of risk, stabilization, development of safety plans
• Deliver therapeutic interventions to guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems
• Focus sessions on recovery, modification of behaviors or better management of conditions
• Evaluate client's progress on a regular basis and adjust interventions as necessary
• Coordinate care, collaborate and refer to community/regional resources or specialists
• Maintain accurate, factual, and objective typewritten records in a timely manner on all aspects of clinical care
• Monitor files closely to ensure there is active care, and close inactive files without delay
• Protect client confidentiality, secure all records, and maintain integrity of client record
• Follow duty to report requirements as necessary
• Lead group sessions (grief, trauma, anxiety, social skills and preventive mental wellness workshops)
• Participate in regular supervision meetings to review all cases/issues, receive education and direction, and for debriefing
• Participate in ongoing education on mental health issues and team meetings
• Develop and deliver presentations and group work in-house and in communities as requested
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with community-based mental health workers
• Other duties as required

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority focuses on hiring Indigenous employees whenever possible.

Candidates are encouraged to self-identify on their application. Self-identification is voluntary and the information is used to assist SLFNHA in hiring Indigenous people from the region whenever possible and to support candidates in their application.

We offer competitive and comprehensive employment benefits to Full-Time employees:

• Pension plan
• Fitness reimbursement program
• Comprehensive insurance coverage
• Professional development opportunities
• Relocation assistance

Preferred

• ON Social Work Registrant
• ON Psychotherapist