Wellness Counselor & Coordinator (Eating Disorders Program)

University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Student Life connects life to learning. We believe every student should have the opportunity to participate in university life actively and find connection and community while discovering new ways of thinking and being in the world. We provide resources, support and engagement opportunities that are inclusive and accessible, ensuring every student can build experiences that set them up for a lifetime of success. Consisting of an interdisciplinary team of health professionals and support staff, Health & Wellness at the University of Toronto aims to support graduate and undergraduate students in reaching their academic goals, engage students in their development and learning, and support their health and well-being by providing health education, clinical and consultation services. Health and Wellness (HW) provides counselling to students with a wide range of concerns ranging from relationship problems to debilitating depression and anxiety, suicidal and/or homicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress, and eating disorders.

The Wellness Counselor and Coordinator (Eating Disorders Program) is a Registered Social Worker and is an integral member of the mental health care team in HW. As a member of the mental health care team, and under the direction of the Director, Professional Practice & Quality Assurance, the Wellness Counselor & Coordinator (Eating Disorders Program) provides ongoing one-on-one counselling services for students identified as experiencing issues related to disordered eating (e.g. anorexia, bulimia, avoidant or restricted food intake, binge eating), body image issues, and other challenges relating to healthy relationship with food; develops mental health resources and programs for a post-secondary student population relating to eating disorders and mental health experiences relating to healthy eating behaviors, including stigma reduction programs, awareness raising activities, promotion of eating disorder specific supports and resources; leads seminars and/or workshops for students and staff; engages in outreach and relationship building within the University and with community-based service providers to provide effective referrals to meet student mental health and wellbeing needs with a particular focus on the needs of students relating to disordered eating behaviors; participates in therapeutic groups and psychoeducational workshops on a range of health and wellness topics, with a particular focus on eating disorders.
This role will be assigned responsibilities for both eating disorder specific work and general counselling duties.

Requirements

• Master's of Social Work and is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers.
• Additional training or extensive experience in working with clients with eating disorders, body image concerns, and unhealthy eating behaviours.
• Minimum five years related experience. Related experience should be in a Community Mental Health setting, and/or Outpatient Mental Health Unit where the incumbent has performed client intakes/assessments, crisis counselling, brief or short-term counselling to individuals, and psycho-educational workshops.
• Extensive experience collaborating with community organizations/resources, hospital-based program, and other community-based service providers (e.g. housing, social assistance, crisis services, etc.), especially with reference to populations affected by experiences of disordered eating, body image concerns, and unhealthy eating behaviours.
• Extensive experience with mental health and illness, behavioral issues, anger management, and conflict resolution.
• Keyboarding skills and working knowledge of relevant software is required (e.g. Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good judgment and sensitivity, flexibility and resourcefulness.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and senior academic administrators about issues facing students in crisis and make recommendations.
• Able to exercise patience, tact, judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to students, staff, and faculty in ways that build confidence and trust.
• Able to work in a highly diverse community with students from varied backgrounds and a variety of age groups, presenting with a range of difficulties and personal issues.

Nice To Haves

• Life coaching, mindful based therapies and alternative evidenced based therapies considered an asset.
• Skill in working with university-aged young adults, and individuals in crisis.
• Experience working with post-secondary students and knowledge of university and community mental health resources.

Responsibilities

• Assessing the mental health of clients
• Providing clinical counselling and psychotherapy to individual students and/or groups of students and making referrals to appropriate resources
• Determining if there is a life-threatening situation, risk of self-harm or harm to others and independently applying appropriate interventions
• Updating and maintaining patient records
• Leading seminars and/or workshops
• Following rules and procedural processes related to Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

What This Job Offers

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