2SLGBTQIA+ Clinical Counsellor I

Friends of Ruby; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 71,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of Ruby is seeking a Clinical Counsellor to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Toronto, delivering evidence-based counselling, crisis intervention, and collaborative care within a multidisciplinary team.

You will facilitate groups, develop safety plans, and maintain audit-ready records while upholding trauma-informed, anti-oppressive practices and Ontario standards in a hybrid Downtown Toronto setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counselling, or related field.
• Current registration with the Ontario regulatory body (OCSWSSW) or CRPO (RSW/RP).
• 1–5 years clinical counselling experience.
• Post-licensure experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth; practicum/internship/community work.
• Training in MBCT, CBT, DBT, ACT, MBSR; DID preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide single-session and short-term clinical counselling using evidence-based modalities to support youth mental health.
• Deliver crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, de-escalation, and emergency coordination.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic groups (DBT skills), mindfulness, and psychoeducation programs.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to coordinate referrals and care.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical records including intake assessments and progress notes.

Skills

Clinical Judgement

Crisis Intervention

Group Facilitation

Therapeutic Engagement

Trauma-Informed Practice

Education

Master's degree in social work, psychology, counselling, or a related field

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

Existing Vacancy

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-informedmental health support, individual counselling sessions, and crisis interventionto 2SLGBTQIA+and intersectional BIPOC youth.Working within a multidisciplinary team, this rolefacilitatestherapeutic groupsand developssafetyplans andconnects youth to internal and external resourcesto promote resilience.

About the Role

As the Clinical Counsellor, 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 crisisintervention,suicide risk assessment, de-escalation, and emergency coordination, to ensure youth safety and stabilize high-risk situations effectively.

• Plan andfacilitatetherapeutic 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 coordinatereferrals andcare, andensure a seamless network of support that meets the comprehensive needs of youth.

• Complete andmaintaintimely,accurateclinicalrecords 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: Build 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'sdegree in social work, psychology, counselling, or a related field isrequired.

• Membership in goodstandingwith 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 arevalued,and your contributions are recognized and celebrated.We offer a space where everyone can be their authenticselvesat 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.

• Mustresidein Ontario.

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

• Must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends occasionally asrequired.

• 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.

AI will not be used in screening orselection; it may be used for notetaking during interviews.

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