2SLGBTQIA+ Clinical Counsellor I

friendsofruby; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 71,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of Ruby is a Toronto-based, hybrid-position Youth Services centre seeking a Clinical Counsellor to provide evidence-based mental health support to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. You will conduct individual counselling, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care in a multidisciplinary setting, with record-keeping and collaboration across partners.

Responsibilities include running groups, safety planning, and coordinating referrals while adhering to ethical guidelines and ensuring accessibility.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counselling, or a related field is required.
• Membership in good standing with OCSWSSW or CRPO (RSW or RP), or another recognized counselling regulatory college.
• 1-5 years clinical counselling experience.
• Post-licensure clinical experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth.

Responsibilities

• Provide single-session and short-term clinical counselling using evidence-based modalities.
• Deliver crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, de-escalation, and emergency coordination for youth safety.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic groups such as DBT skills and mindfulness.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners for referrals and care coordination.
• Complete timely clinical records to support continuity of care and meet standards.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and organizational events.

Skills

Clinical judgement

Crisis intervention

Group facilitation

Therapeutic engagement

Trauma-informed practice

Education

Master's degree in social work/psychology/counselling

Job description

Positions Available: 1

Department: Youth Services Location: Hybrid, 70 Richmond Street East, Toronto ON Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary Range:
$71,395- $77,992

Closing Date: October 1, 2026

Friends of Ruby supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29 tthrough mental health services, social programs, and housing. Weoperatea Youth Centre and a Transitional Home, offering identity-based barrier-free counselling, case management, housingsupports, 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

As the Clinical Counsellor, you will be 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

• Clinical Judgement + Ethical Decision-Making: Maintains trust and compliance with professional standards by adhering to ethical guidelines and safeguarding confidentiality, ensuring accurate documentation, demonstrating integrity in decision-making, and upholding participant rights and organizational policies.

• Crisis Intervention & De-escalation: Ensures safety and emotional stability during high-risk situations by conducting thorough assessments and implementing trauma-informed crisis protocols, proactively identifying risks, responding calmly to crises using established protocols, completing suicide risk assessments, and developing safety plans.

• Group Facilitation and Program Delivery: Builds participant resilience and coping skills through structured group interventions by designing and leading therapeutic programs aligned with evidence-based practices, facilitating DBT skills groups, mindfulness sessions, and coping workshops while fostering inclusive, supportive environments.

• Therapeutic Engagement + Assessment: Delivers holistic care through coordinated support systems by engaging in multidisciplinary teamwork and clear information sharing, liaising with internal programs and external providers, participating in clinical supervision, and maintaining transparent, respectful communication.

• Trauma-Informed, Anti-Oppressive Practice: Provides effective therapeutic support tailored to individual needs by applying clinical modalities and participant-centered approaches, formulating treatment plans, delivering interventions using DBT, CBT, ACT, MBCT, and trauma-informed counselling, and adapting techniques to diverse client contexts.

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.

• 1-5 years clinical counselling experience.

• 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.

Friends of Ruby is committed to an inclusive hiring process. Accommodations are available upon request—please contact our Culture & Equity team.

Preference will be given to members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as part of our commitment to equity and representation.