Job Description

Trans, non-binary and gender queer Clinical Counsellor

Application Posting Date: April 23rd, 2021

Application Closing Date: May 16th, 2021

Friends of Ruby  

Friends of Ruby is dedicated to the journey and well-being of LGBTQI2S youth through a unique combination of integrated and tailored services in mental health, social support, and housing. We are committed to creating welcoming and safer spaces uniquely designed to help build community, emotional well-being, and confidence.

We distinguish ourselves by delivering an integrated transitional housing model to support youth towards independent living, impactful counselling modalities and therapeutical groups, social activities and practical supports that address multiple aspects of a youth’s life (e.g., health, education, employment).

Our services and programs are informed by LGBTQI2S youth, grounded in evidence and research, and led and facilitated by LGBTQI2S individuals. Our staff reflects the diversity of the youth we serve and are skilled in supporting youth towards independence and well-being. Ultimately, we want to help create a Canada where all LGBTQI2S youth are validated, included, and empowered to lead healthier lives.

Position Summary 

We are looking for a talented clinician who identifies as trans, non-binary and gender queer to provide mental health and counselling support to primarily trans, non-binary or gender queer youth including those with intersectional identities of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), while supporting the Organization’s efforts towards providing progressive support to LGBTQI2S youth.

Reporting to the Clinical Program Manager, the Clinical Counselor will provide single session and short-term counselling to LGBTQI2S and BIPOC youth using evidence-based practices aligned with needs identified at the time of intake and assessment to Friends of Ruby’s Drop-in participants, community members and on-site at the Friends of Ruby’s Home residents.

These sessions will be held over the phone, through chat or video calls, or in-person at the Youth Centre, or the Transitional House.

The Clinical Counsellor will also plan and facilitate clinical groups dedicated to topics such as skills for safer living, coping and emotion management skills and mindfulness practices, where youth learn skill building, needs prioritization and active listening.

The Clinical Counsellor also provides crisis support to address immediate crisis, including suicide risk assessment, safety planning, emotional de-escalation, resources and referral, or connecting with emergency responders if necessary.

Tasks and responsibilities

Utilizing strengths-based, trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches, the Clinical Counsellor will:

• Provide same-day crisis counselling, completing risk assessments and safety planning.
• Formulate treatment plans and provide therapeutic counselling using a range of evidence-based practices, including but not limited to MBCT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, Trauma-informed Counselling, Participant-Centred Therapies and/or Brief Solution Focused Therapy.
• Using a harm reduction and trauma-informed approach, create safety plans with LGBTQI2S and BIPOC participants assessing immediate and longer-term needs and goals.
• Working from a multi-disciplinary framework partner with psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.
• Connect participants to other Friends of Ruby`s programs when appropriate and liaise with peers from those programs to best support LGBTQI2S and BIPOC participants to meet their needs; refer to external service providers as needed.
• Facilitate Friends of Ruby’s group counselling and/or therapeutic programs, including but not limited to DBT skills group, Skills for Safer Living and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy.
• Complete participants Intake Assessments.
• Organize own work and manage waitlists to ensure individuals, couples and families are being assisted in our counselling services.
• Actively participate in team meetings and individual/group clinical supervision.
• Train, supervise and support volunteers and students in all aspects of their work, ensuring confidentiality, collection of data and completion of case file documentation as required.
• Occasionally support the overseeing of the Drop In area, and monitor the overall physical and emotional safety of the space; managing potentially escalating situations.
• Manage crisis, recognize and provide appropriate intervention as needed. Address youth conflict directly and respectfully. Teach and model effective problem solving and conflict negotiation.
• Participate in the on-call crisis line rotation.
• Work collaboratively with other teams in matters relating to communication, evaluation and different initiatives in support of the Organization’s mission.
• And other duties, as directed, for the delivery of the department’s strategic priorities and/or to meet key deadlines.

Skills and Experiences

• 3-5 years of experience providing clinical counselling and support to LGBTQI2S and BIPOC youth in issues related to mental health, trauma, violence, self-injurious behavior, transitioning and/or coming out, substance use, family support and relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and anti-oppression principles, and to strengths-based, trauma-informed, participant-centred practices.
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counselling Psychology, or in a related field and/or comparable work experience.
• Membership in good standing with the college of social service workers or college of registered psychotherapists (RSW or RP), or other counselling college will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive practices and ability to implement them in work with LGBTQI2S and BIPOC youth.
• Experience in group facilitation, preferably utilizing Evidence Based Practices.
• Training and/or experience with evidence informed treatment modalities including but not limited to MBCT, CBT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, Brief Solution Focused Therapy and/or Trauma-informed Counselling are considered an asset.
• Knowledge and experience working with LGBTQI2S and BIPOC youth and the ability to work from a lens of sensitivity to diversity related to race, culture, religion, immigration, cognitive functioning, poverty, sexual orientation and gender identity, etc.
• Knowledge in suicide risk assessment, crisis intervention skills and safety planning; and ability to manage conflict, crises and escalating situations calmly and confidently.
• Ability to partner with other LGBTQI2S and BIPOC social service providers & professional staff, i.e. psychologists, psychiatrists, into the overall treatment plan.
• Demonstrated sound judgment related to the development of collaborative approaches working with LGBTQI2S and BIPOC youth and couples; including high risk circumstances.
• Possess the lived experience, knowledge, and cultural experiences required to address the specific issues trans, non-binary or gender queer youth face including trauma and transphobia, safely and effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team, to problem solve, and to remain flexible and able to adapt within a busy and changing environment.
• Ability to maintain clinical records and completion of administrative tasks in a timely manner and excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.

Additional requirements 

• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Police Check Program.
• Must be qualified to legally work in Canada.
• Willing to work at a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the organization, working evenings and weekends on occasions.
• Ability to travel to other community-based settings as needed.

Hiring Policy / Statement on Employment Equity and Diversity 

Friends of Ruby recognizes that a diverse work force is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.

We are committed to ensuring that members of traditionally marginalized groups, from a broad range of communities, feel empowered to apply for positions within the organization. We strongly encourage applications from the LGBTQI2S and BIPOC communities, and diverse backgrounds that meet the requirements of the job posting. We suggest applicants introduce themselves, their stories and lived experiences in their cover letter to their level of comfort.

How to Apply

Job Categories: LGBT. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: Counselling, Housing, LGBTQI2S, social services, Therapeutic Groups, and youth. Salaries: Not Disclosed.

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