2SLGBTQIA+ Clinical Counsellor

Friends of Ruby; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 82,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Friends of Ruby is seeking a Clinical Counsellor to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Toronto through trauma‑informed, evidence‑based counselling. You will provide individual and group sessions within a multidisciplinary team in a Hybrid Downtown Toronto setting.

The role includes crisis intervention, risk assessment, and development of safety plans, with duties covering documentation and collaboration with community partners.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counselling, or a related field.
• Membership in good standing with OCWSSW or CRPO (RP/RSW) or another recognized counselling regulatory college.
• Post-licensure clinical experience providing counselling to 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth.
• Training and/or experience with MBCT, CBT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, Trauma-informed counselling; DID is preferred.
• Strong clinical documentation skills and ability to maintain audit-ready records.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and harm-reduction approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide single-session and short-term clinical counselling using evidence-based modalities to support youth mental health.
• Deliver immediate crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, de-escalation, and emergency coordination to ensure youth safety.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic groups, mindfulness, and psychoeducation programs to build peer support and practical skills.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to coordinate referrals and care.
• Complete and maintain timely clinical records including intake assessments, progress notes, and incident reports.
• Participate in clinical supervision, team meetings, and organizational events.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in social work / psychology / counselling

Job description

Positions Available: 2

Department: Youth Services (Clinical Services)

Location: Hybrid (Downtown Toronto)

Position Type: Full-Time Permanent

Salary: $82,000 – $91,000 (Level 2)

Existing Vacancy

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Friends of Ruby supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29 through mental health services, social programs, and housing. We operate a Youth Centre and a Transitional Home, offering identity-based barrier-free counselling, case management, housing supports, drop‑in and community programming in affirming and integrated way. Our work is rooted in intersectional, anti‑oppressive, and decolonized approaches, and we are committed to treating everyone with dignity, respect, and inclusion.

The Clinical Counsellor provides evidence‑based, trauma‑informed mental health support, individual counselling sessions, and crisis intervention to 2SLGBTQIA+ and intersectional BIPOC youth. Working within a multidisciplinary team, this role facilitates therapeutic groups and develops safety plans and connects youth to internal and external resources to promote resilience.

About the Role

AstheClinicalCounsellor,you willbe responsible for:

• Provide single‑session and short‑term clinical counselling using evidence‑based modalities (e.g., MBCT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, DID, Trauma‑informed, Brief Solution Focused Therapy) to support youth mental health.

• Deliver immediate crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, de‑escalation, and emergency coordination, to ensure youth safety and stabilize high‑risk situations effectively.

• Plan and facilitate therapeutic groups (e.g., DBT skills), mindfulness, and psychoeducation programs to build peer support, teach practical skills, and enhance youth well‑being in a structured setting.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to coordinate referrals and care, and ensure a seamless network of support that meets the comprehensive needs of youth.

• Complete and maintain timely, accurate clinical records including intake assessments, progress notes, incident reports, to support continuity of care, and meet professional and organizational standards.

• Participate in clinical supervision, team meetings, organizational events and activities to contribute to team learning, uphold service quality, and respond to evolving operational and crisis needs.

Your Competencies

• People‑Focused: Aligns functional practices to staff and participant outcomes.

• Collaboration: Builds functional and cross‑departmental trust and resolves friction constructively.

• Integrity: Holds high work and management standards, leading activities, team, budget, and compliance with accountability and transparency.

• Growth & Learning: Incorporates evidence, evaluation, and improvement cycles into activities; owns and addresses mistakes; demonstrates openness to continuous learning.

• Respectful & Aff: Embeds IDEA, trauma‑informed, harm‑reduction standards, and staff care into operations; addresses systemic inequities across teams and develops diverse talent.

Required Credentials

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counselling, or a related field is required.

• Membership in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) (RSW or RP), or another recognized counselling regulatory college.

• Post‑licensure clinical experience providing counselling to 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth, including related practicum, internship, or community‑based work.

• Training and/or experience with evidence‑based modalities (MBCT, CBT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, Trauma‑informed Counselling); dissociative identity disorder (DID) is preferred.

• Strong clinical documentation skills and ability to maintain accurate, audit‑ready records.

• Commitment to trauma‑informed, anti‑oppressive, and harm‑reduction approaches.

Why Work with Us?

Be part of a mission‑driven organization where your work has a lasting impact on the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

Join a welcoming, inclusive environment where your ideas are valued, and your contributions are recognized and celebrated. We offer a space where everyone can be their authentic selves at work.

We invest in your professional development with meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and advancement.

Engage in work that is challenging, meaningful, and aligned with your values.

What We Need

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada.

• Must provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check.

• Must reside in Ontario.

• Must be willing to work onsite in downtown Toronto on a hybrid schedule.

• Must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends occasionally as required.

• Travel to various community‑based settings as needed.

Important Note

If you have accessed Friends of Ruby services in the past year, please refrain from applying to ensure objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest. We appreciate your understanding.