76-2026 Counsellor Temporary Full-Time (One year Contract)

Family Services Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 59,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Services Ottawa (FSO) in Ottawa seeks a Counsellor for a one-year, full-time contract. The role delivers client-centered counselling to individuals, couples, and families, with trauma-informed practice and strong clinical judgment.

Requirements include a Master’s degree in a relevant field, registration with a regulated college, and 2–3 years of psychotherapy experience. Ottawa-based, office setting, occasional evenings.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counselling, Psychotherapy or equivalent.
• Registration in good standing with a regulated health college (OCSWSSW/CRPO).
• 2–3 years direct psychotherapy experience with individuals, couples, or families.
• Experience with diverse populations and trauma-informed practice.
• Understanding of ethical practice standards for social workers and counsellors.
• Knowledge of Ottawa community resources and referral pathways.
• Proficiency with technology including Microsoft 365 and EMR databases.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments, risk assessments, and develop treatment plans.
• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based counselling.
• Provide individual, couple, family, and group counselling as needed.
• Offer various therapeutic modalities, brief to long-term.
• Assist clients with housing, income support, and legal navigation.
• Maintain confidential client records and reports per standards.
• Collaborate with community resources and service providers.
• Complete administrative tasks and participate in agency initiatives.

Skills

Empathy

Trauma-informed practice

Communication

Independent and team work

Microsoft 365

Education

Master's degree in Social Work / Counselling / Psychotherapy

Registration with a regulated college (OCSWSSW/CRPO)

Tools

Electronic medical record (EMR) databases

EMR systems

Job description

76-2026 Counsellor Temporary Full-Time (one-year contract)

We are hiringaCounsellor who is committed to providing compassionate, client-centered supportand making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.This is a unique opportunity to work as part of a collaborative clinical teamdelivering therapeutic services to a diverse population. The successfulcandidate will bring strong clinical judgment, trauma-informed practice, and adeep respect for the dignity and lived experience of every client.

Join a value-drivenorganization with over 100 years of service supporting Ottawa families throughlife’s challenges, where your work will have a lasting impact and yourprofessional growth will be supported.

Location: Ottawa,Office-based

Start Date: ASAP

Position: Counsellor Temporary Full-Time Union(Level 5) (One Year contract)

Salary Range: $58,793.87to $72,585.35

Job ID: 76-2026–Counsellor Temporary Full-Time

ABOUT US

Family Services à lafamille Ottawa (FSO-SFO) has been strengthening individuals and families—and,by extension, the Ottawa community—since 1914. We provide skillful andcompassionate support to help people navigate mental health concerns, parentingchallenges, and family conflict or violence. Through accessible counselling,support groups, and educational programs, families increase their knowledge andskills, adopt healthy strategies, build meaningful connections, and enhanceresilience.

We serve individualsacross the lifespan and within all types of family constellations, includingchildren, youth, transitional-aged youth, adults, seniors, couples, andfamilies. Our work is grounded in the real needs of clients, the complexenvironments they live in, and a strong foundation of clinical and mentalhealth expertise.

From Mothercare duringthe influenza epidemic of 1917 to supporting families during post-WWIIreintegration to redefining family therapy to reflect the diverse realities of“family,” FSO-SFO continues to innovate and evolve in response to the changingneeds of our community.

We strive to lead andconvene the best and most promising practices, ensuring our services remainrelevant and impactful. Today, 98% of clients report that working with FSO-SFOhas had a positive impact on their lives.

As an accreditednon-profit charitable organization, FSO-SFO is a trusted pillar of the Ottawacommunity. Our team is united by a commitment to well-being, belonging,community, accountability, and client-centered care.

Join us in making alasting difference for Ottawa families.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking apassionate and experienced Counsellor to join our dynamic Counselling team. AtFamily Services Ottawa (FSO), we are committed to providing high-qualitycounselling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups experiencinga range of mental health challenges.

This role includesdirect clinical service with clients presenting a range of mild to moderateand/or severe and persistent mental health challenges, including trauma,concurrent disorders, and complex psychosocial needs.

Key responsibilitiesincludes:

• Conduct assessments, includingrisk assessments, and develop treatment plans with clients
• Deliver evidence-informed,trauma-informed, and strengths-based counselling
• Provide a range of counsellingservices, which may include individual, couple, family, and groupcounselling, depending on service requirements and clinician expertise.
• Offer counselling in a variety oftherapeutic modalities, including both brief or single sessions andmoderate to longer-term interventions
• Assist clients with navigatingsystems and accessing practical support (e.g., housing, income support,legal)
• Provide referrals and collaboratewith community resources and service providers
• Maintain timely, accurate, andconfidential client records and statistical data in accordance with agencyand funder standards
• Prepare correspondence, casenotes, and report as required
• Contribute to agency committeesand organizational initiatives
• Complete administrative tasksrelated to agency operations and personnel

ABOUT YOU

You are an empathetic,ethical, and skilled counselling professional with:

• A Master’s degree in Social Work,Education in Counselling, Psychotherapy, or an equivalent graduate degree
• Registration in good standingwith a regulated health college (OCSWSSW, CRPO, or a relevant college)
• 2-3 years of direct psychotherapyexperience with individuals, couples, or families.
• Your experience includes workingwith diverse populations (culture, race, socioeconomic status, genderidentity/expression, sexual orientation) with mental health challenges whohave experienced trauma, including gender-based violence.
• Understanding and demonstrationof ethical practice standards for social workers, counsellors, andpsychotherapists
• Understanding of structuralfactors and systemic issues impacting client well-being
• Excellent communication skills(written and verbal)
• Knowledge of community resourcesand referral pathways in the Ottawa area
• Strong organizational andplanning abilities
• Ability to work independently andcollaboratively in a team setting
• Proficiency with technology,including Microsoft 365 and electronic medical record databases

The ideal candidate will be able to offer counselling inEnglish and a second language.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Proof of legal entitlement towork in Canada
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector
• Schedule requires one evening shift per week, and may require occasional Saturdays.

We look forward to hearing from you. FSO-SFO is anequal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed tocreating an inclusive workplace. Accommodation is available throughout therecruitment process. Please let us know how we can best support you.

While we thank allcandidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will becontacted.