Job Summary: 

 The Mental Wellness Counsellor works within an integrated, multi-disciplinary Health team to provide intake, assessments, referral (when needed), long term counselling support as well as crisis response, follow-up services to Tsleil-Waututh (TWN) community members affected by trauma, grief, life stressors, and/or mental wellness struggles.

Reporting to the Clinical Lead, the Mental Wellness Counsellor provides counselling and support to all ages; specifically, engaging Tsleil-Waututh membership in culturally safe, trauma-based programs and services. This may include confidential individual, family, or group counselling supporting community members through a holistic, 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.

The Mental Wellness Counsellor may also provide psychoeducation/therapeutic interventions to individuals and groups in the community with a focus on mental wellness related topics, such as, grounding and breath work, mind-body balancing, land-based healing, managing anxiety and depression, substance misuse, the impacts of trauma, anti-racist and decolonizing practices, coping skills, and inter-generational impacts of Residential schools.

The Mental Wellness Counsellor will be familiar with other services and resources in the community and will work closely to provide information and support when required. They will work as part of the Mental Wellness team providing a circle of care and confidentiality within the community that addresses and implements the long-term goals of the Health Department and community.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Provide trauma-based, culturally inclusive and safe, holistic-based clinical counselling to TWN community members.
• Prepare wellness plans; complete screenings and safety risk assessments when necessary.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations and follow protocols of the Nation.
• Make external referrals and strive towards building a collaborative relationship to outside agencies, where necessary.
• Coordinate and facilitate educational/therapeutic workshops/groups/programs on mental wellness issues on a diversity of topics that are TWN culturally appropriate, if needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality guidelines regarding all clients, conversations, and referrals.
• Build relationships with clients, schedule and book all appointments, and manage caseload in an ethical and organized way.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of trauma on mental health, attachment systems, and substance use struggles.
• Participate/ receive individual and/or group clinical supervision, and attend the weekly Mental Wellness Team Meeting; and Health Department Team meetings, as needed.
• Utilize the Electronic Management Record system to document all client encounters in a timely manner and maintain digital note taking system and any hard copy files.
• Follow the policy and procedures of the Mental Wellness Team.

Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in counselling psychology, clinical psychology, clinical social work, or a relevant counselling related discipline.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ recent related experience counselling and supporting individuals and their families, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Positive experience working in a First Nations context, or strong understanding of cultural competency, anti-oppression practices and Indigenous history.
• Preference/ priority to those that self-identify as First Nations.

• Preference given to candidate with a current practicing license and in good standing with governing body.
• Expertise in the area of counselling, including conceptual knowledge and practical experience.
• Preference given to candidates with additional training in art or play based therapies and post-graduate trauma healing specific training.
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Records Check – vulnerable populations.
• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination as per PHO orders.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Effective listening, observation and facilitation skills to effectively assess clients and provide appropriate treatment and consultation.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills in English to establish and maintain a wide range of contacts with health care professionals and community organizations.
• Good understanding of First Nations traditional healing methods and a willingness to learning and growing their cultural awareness competency.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. 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.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and independently.
• Comprehensive knowledge of client centered mental health interventions, practice methods and professional skills.
• Knowledge of community resources, social service networks and organizations.
• Working experience in Oscar-EMR electronic Medical Record Systems, various virtual portals, Zoom, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Previous experience working in a First Nations community and/or organization is preferred.