Counsellor/ Psychotherapist

Wilfrid Laurier University • Waterloo, ON

10d • CA$52 - CA$60 • Onsite

About The Position

The Student Wellness Centre at Laurier Waterloo is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals that provide physical, emotional and mental health support for students. The Student Wellness team includes counsellors/psychotherapists, registered nurses, dietician, family physicians, mental health nurse. Wellness education is a separate team under the wellness umbrella. Reporting to the Manager, Student Wellness Centre, the counsellor/psychotherapist role provides clinical and therapeutic support to registered Laurier students using a short-term, goal-directed, stepped care model. Specific clinical duties include collaborating with each student to determine individual student goals, identifying challenges, and appropriate resources/support to maximize personal and academic success at Laurier. Specific clinical duties may include intake, assessment, intervention, evaluation, safety planning, crisis intervention and response, and short-term counselling/psychotherapy. Counsellors embrace a multi-disciplinary team and working environment, and appreciate the values of collaboration, communication and the opportunity to work closely with students.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Counselling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Pastoral Counselling, or a related discipline required
• Current registration in a related Professional College
• Minimum three (3) years demonstrated experience, skill and interest in providing counselling, crisis assessment and management, and related services to post-secondary-aged students
• Demonstrated experience and ability completing risk assessments (informal) and managing risk in an outpatient setting, including safety planning
• Demonstrated ability using a computerized scheduler/documentation system
• Demonstrated skills in professional written and oral communication, reliability, flexibility, interpersonal skills, and team co-operation
• Kind, caring and positive approach to student support and interactions
• Demonstrated reliability and dependability

Responsibilities

• Intake, Risk Assessment management: Facilitate intake process with students, including responding to questions, ensuring proper documentation and providing positive and welcoming first point of contact. Conduct risk/safety assessments for immediate risk of suicide, homicide, self or other harm. Ensure timely, effective and deescalating response to risk and crisis concerns. Work collaboratively with Mental Health Nurse, Special Constable Service, Counselling Manager, Director, Student Wellness Centre where required. Create safety/wellness plans for management of suicidal/self/other harm risk as needed. Ensure student is provided with take-away resource, facilitated referral and clearly identified next-steps for personal support and safety. Ensure familiarity with crisis resources/supports. Facilitate external referral for students whose issues require specialized treatment or intensive psychotherapy.
• Personal Counselling/Psychotherapy: Maintain an active caseload and collaborate with students to identify treatment goals that are appropriate for short-term therapy. Create a collaborative, individualized treatment plan recognizing students’ strengths and needs in accordance with professional standards and best practices. Provide professional counselling appropriate to address students’ personal, developmental, and psychological/psychiatric issues. Complete risk assessment and management plans with all students presenting in crisis, with suicide risk. Provide timely crisis intervention, safety planning, support, documentation, and referral as required. Ensure Student Wellness Centre Director and team members are aware of students who may be at risk of harm, significant deterioration, or otherwise require support from the Wellness Centre. Assist students whose needs are outside the Wellness Centre scope of practice to identify and access other support services and facilitate referral. Facilitate group counseling / peer support groups as required.
• Documentation: Complete documentation in a timely manner per department policy to ensure effective safety monitoring for students at risk. Use shared electronic record system to document counseling appointment and related information. Uphold “circle of care” approach by facilitating communication with partners external to Student Wellness Centre by obtaining appropriate consents.
• Communication: Respond to questions and inquiries from faculty, staff, parents and the external community with respect to counselling supports available, operational details and crisis response/referral information. Facilitate critical-incident debriefing sessions on campus if required. Communicate to SWC Leadership Team regarding need for extended counseling support beyond short-term model.
• Department/Team Support: Actively participate in meetings and consultations with colleagues, including case sharing, professional development and informal consultation. Contribute to the effective functioning and co-ordination of the department through flexible staffing and service delivery. Participate in department meetings and committees in order to ensure smooth organizational operations and improved student support. Participate in peer learning/consultation opportunities to maximize optimal trust, culture and performance within a team environment.
• University Engagement: Possible representation of the department through participation in University committees, teams and working groups (e.g., mental health task force, petitions committees). Demonstrate knowledge and comfort with University systems, processes and practices, and support students in navigating and accessing services (e.g., petition processes, tuition fee appeal, financial support). Contribute to institutional support and emergency response planning if requested.
• Supervision: Perform clinical duties according to professional standards and requirements. Seek clarification and support with respect to clinical responsibilities from the Manager, colleagues, the Director of Student Wellness Centre, and other professionals. Assume personal and financial responsibility for seeking external supervision as necessary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level