Counsellor, Crisis Assessment Team

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
  1. Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
  2. Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
  3. Premiums of $2.00 per hour will be applied for eligible Evening/Night (8:00pm – 7:00am) and Weekend Shifts. 
• When you'll work - 70 hours biweekly; 2pm-9pm with one weekend rotation in four
• Your pension plan – Immediately enrolled in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• What your benefits will be – After a 90-day waiting period, will be enrolled in extended healthcare benefits

Assessment--In collaboration with the participant: 

• Complete bio-psychosocial mental health assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response, risk assessment, de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to determine needs and level of risk 
• Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement with the client 
• Refer to psychiatric clinic as deemed appropriate 
• Assess the adequacy of resources/supports currently available to the client and make referrals to applicable community resources as appropriate 
• Determine the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning 
• Identify risk factors related to relapse as well as the safety of staff and clients 
• Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.) 
• Obtain information, as needed, from other relevant sources 
• Ensure the assessment incorporates cultural and ethnic factors 
• Identify areas requiring additional assessment 

Crisis Intervention: 

• Provide short-term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist participants in gaining insight and improving coping skills within the framework of the crisis model 
• Perform in a calm, competent and efficient manner in an emergency situation acknowledging the participant’s need for privacy and dignity 
• Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors 

Crisis Management – Follow-up: 

• Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation 
• Support the participant to access needed resources 
• Refer clients for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate 
• Assist the participant to identify and connect with personal/natural supports 
• Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service 
• Provide follow-up check in with clients accessing services 

Service Coordination and Advocacy: 

• Have knowledge about community resources relevant to clients, including other mental health services, entitlement and benefit programs, (e.g. ODSP, Ontario Works, London Housing, etc.) 
• Identify, develop and maintain good links with a wide range of community resources 
• Assist the client to obtain needed resources by educating and supporting the participant to access resources, linking the client to appropriate services, advocating with or for the client when needed 
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources and its place within the mental health care system 
• Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system including the organization and hospital 
• Participate in public education and advocacy 
• Coordinate and facilitate with clients, linkages to recommended services and supports in the community 
• When appropriate, act as liaison with caregivers and/or service and support providers who are involved with the client to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision 

Information and Referral: 

• Provide assistance to clients seeking support, face-to-face appointments and/or information about mental health services and supports 
• Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies 
• Assist participants in developing strategies for managing their health needs according to resources and personal skills available 
• Assist participants in making healthier choices 
• Collaborate with community agencies to enhance continuity of care 
• Provide information and advocate regarding resources within both the broader mental health system & the community in general 

Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery: 

• Collaborate with the client and the team to provide a holistic approach and assist in developing goals and the “plan of care” 
• Support the client in developing skills for self-advocacy. 
• Interact and provide support in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to client diversity (e.g. culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs and values) 
• Assist in motivating clients to learn new behaviours and develop coping skills. 
• Foster healthy interdependence through limit setting 
• Assist client to recognize strengths and minimize challenges by identifying potential risks to health 

Reach Out responsibilities: 

• Provide crisis intervention services and supports on the Reach Out Crisis line via phone, text and web chat. Respond to voicemails from the Reach Out Crisis line. 
• Establish a therapeutic relationship with callers to the Reach Out line, and work with these clients to address their immediate concerns 

• Valid Driver’s License: minimum G2 class and access to a vehicle for personal transportation
• First Aid & CPR, WHMIS Training
• Experience in mental health and addictions
• Knowledge of and experience with trauma-informed practices
• Understanding of therapeutic approaches when working with participants in mental health or addictions crisis, such as Crisis Intervention Practices; Brief Solution Focused Therapy; Motivational Interviewing; DBT and CBT strategies

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – October 27, 2026
 

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team. 
 

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca  

Legal Notifications:

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes