ABOUT US:
ćećəwət leləm “Helping House” provides wholistic, culturally integrated health & wellness services for Indigenous clients and families. Our interdisciplinary teams include community health programming; primary care services; home care services; peer support, harm reduction, and crisis response; integrative therapy; wholistic wellness; and Indigenous Elders, Healers, and Knowledge Keepers.
Together, we strive to support Tsleil-Waututh Nation members and families through care that is trauma-informed, relationship-centered, and guided by the Nation’s teachings on balance and interconnectedness.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Integrative Trauma Therapist works within an integrated, multi-disciplinary health team to provide long term, trauma-informed therapy services to Tsleil-Waututh (TWN) community members affected by trauma, grief, life stressors, and mental health struggles.
Reporting to the Integrative Therapy Lead, the Integrative Trauma Therapist provides psychotherapy to all ages; specifically, engaging Tsleil-Waututh membership in culturally safe, trauma-based programs and services. This may include individual, family, couples, or group therapy sessions, supporting community members through a wholistic, relational approach grounded in trauma aware practice. The focus of psychotherapy will be to enhance community members’ mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, while building self-awareness and encouraging greater health and wellness balance from a two-eyed seeing wholistic model of care.
The Integrative Trauma Therapist also provides psychoeducation/therapeutic interventions to individuals and groups in the community with a focus on mental wellness related topics, such as the impacts of trauma, land-based healing, grounding and breath work, mind-body balancing, managing anxiety and depression, and nurturing healthy coping skills.
The Integrative Trauma Therapist will be familiar with other services and resources in the community and will work closely with various team members to provide information, clinical expertise, and support when required. They will work as part of the Integrative Therapy Team providing a confidential circle of care within the community, supporting the vision, goals, and strategic plan of Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provides trauma-based and trauma-informed, culturally inclusive and culturally safe, wholistic psychotherapy services to TWN community members
• Completes intakes, screenings, comprehensive assessments, safety risk assessments, and referrals as needed, along with preparing client and family centered wellness plans
• Strictly follows health department policies, procedures, and protocols
• Effectively responds to crises and critical situations, mitigating risk, and providing prompt deescalation when necessary
• Initiates and follows-up on internal and external referrals, striving to build collaborative relationships with all partners in care
• Coordinates and facilitates culturally appropriate educational and therapeutic workshops, groups, and programs as they relate to integrative trauma therapy
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to all aspects of client care, including conversations and referrals
• Develops and maintains therapeutic client care relationships for all active clients on caseload, prioritizing appointments and follow-up as per client need, scheduling and booking appointments, thereby managing the caseload in an ethical and organized manner.
• Using a case management approach, liaises and works closely with all team members that form the client’s circle of care
• Engages in ongoing learning opportunities to support continuing education and professional development, maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the impact of trauma on mental health, attachment systems, and substance use
• Attends team meetings, while also availing of individual and/or group clinical supervision and case consultation opportunities
• Utilizes the Electronic Management Record (EMR) system to document all client encounters in a timely manner, maintaining digital note taking systems and any hard copy files
• Performs other Integrative Therapy programming duties as assigned by the Lead.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required qualifications
• A master’s degree from an accredited institution in counselling psychology, clinical psychology, or clinically focused social work
• A minimum of five (5) years’ post-graduate psychotherapy experience and supporting individuals and their families in trauma-based therapy
• Current practicing registration and designation as RCC, CCC, or MSW that is in good standing with the respective governing or licensing body
• Strong understanding of Indigenous history, anti-oppression practices, and cultural competency
• Expertise in trauma therapy clinical practices, including conceptual knowledge and practical experience and post-graduate trauma healing specific training like EMDR, somatic-based approaches, SE, IFOT, etc.
• Valid BC Driver’s License – Class 5
• Reliable vehicle and current vehicle insurance
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Documentation of immunization and TB screening history
• Criminal Record Check (vulnerable sector)
Preferred qualifications
• Experience working in a community-based health care setting
• Completion of Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility training (e.g. San’yas)
• Demonstrated knowledge of Coast Salish/Tsleil-Waututh cultural and spiritual practices as they relate to mental wellness
• Experience working within or alongside First Nations communities or Indigenous-led health organizations
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
• Demonstrated ability in maintaining strict confidentiality
• Effective ability to work independently, and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of people and circumstances
• Essential listening, observation, and facilitation skills to effectively assess clients and provide appropriate consultation and treatment
• Comprehensive knowledge of client centered mental health interventions, practice methods, and professional skills
• Knowledge of community resources, social service networks and organizations
• Astute needs assessment and facilitation skills to support client advocacy, self-determination, and effective linking to appropriate internal and external resources and services
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with proven ability to use tact and good judgment when dealing with sensitive and complex issues
• Understanding of crisis management and the ability to deal with life-threatening situations including the prevention of suicide
• Working experience with EMR platforms, various virtual portals, video conferencing, and Microsoft Office applications
• Sound understanding of Indigenous cultural and traditional healing methods and a willingness to learn and grow with humility one’s cultural awareness and competency
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Physical Demands
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting and supporting clients.
• May be exposed to occupational hazards such as infectious waste, diseases and chemicals.
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
Mental Focus
May deal with individuals who can, from time to time, be demanding and challenging. Must be able to remain patient and calm, and may have to engage in conflict resolution.
Environmental Conditions
• The noise level is generally quiet, but at times noise could escalate.
• Must be able to work relatively independently and deal with issues of personal safety because this position is outside the controlled environment of a hospital.
Apply by clicking the following link:
Integrative Trauma Therapist
Integrative Trauma Therapist is a permanent part-time position, scheduled for 21 hours per week.
Alternatively, send your resume and Cover Letter to jobapplications@twnation.ca
Thank you for your interest in working with us. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.