Clinical Mental Wellness and Substance Abuse Counsellor

Job Purpose:

The Mental Wellness and Substance Abuse Counsellor is responsible for facilitating of mental health promotion and prevention programming for Saulteau First Nations (SFN), including individual and group counselling. As a part of a multi-disciplinary team, the counsellor will work wit community members along the spectrum of recovery from various mental health challenges, including problematic alcohol and substance use disorder, following a trauma informed and culture based approach. The counsellor will play an integral role in supporting the healing and wellness of SFN members through such programs.

Qualifications and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or nursing, be a Registered Clinical Counsellor, or Psychologist, or an equivalent combination of education & experience.
• Training and certification in counselling and psychotherapeutic methodologist such as dialectic behaviour therapy (DBT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), trauma informed care, Indigenous Focusing Oriented Trauma (IFOT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), etc.
• Demonstrated ability to provide support to community members in crisis, through conflict resolution, problem solving, de-escalation, etc, working in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment
• Valid BC Driver’s License
• Demonstrated ability to meet community members along the spectrum of mental health with compassionate, non-judgemental support, extending support beyond the provision of counselling services to include systems navigation, intensive case management, advocacy and transportation.
• Knowledge and experience in delivery of culturally appropriate programs and community-based services, including nuanced understanding of correlation between mental health challenges in Indigenous communities and historic and ongoing impacts of colonialism and assimilation.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and understanding of the added importance of this tenet working in a small community.
• Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.