Counsellor

Elizabeth Fry Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 37,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Elizabeth Fry Toronto, located in Toronto, ON, seeks a Counsellor to provide counselling and client support for women navigating gender-based violence and trauma. The role includes individual and group sessions, psycho-educational programming, and coordinating referrals to promote safety and reintegration.

Ideal candidates bring trauma-informed and feminist approaches, with a passion for social justice and the ability to build trust with women and gender-diverse clients facing complex

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Community Services, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in counselling and/or group facilitation.
• Experience with trauma-informed and feminist approaches.
• Strong documentation and administrative capabilities.
• Experience with client databases and Microsoft 365.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client intake, eligibility screening, and needs assessments.
• Provide individual and group counselling using trauma-informed, feminist, and client-centered approaches.
• Conduct crisis intervention, risk assessments, and safety planning.
• Facilitate counselling groups and psycho-educational workshops.
• Manage client caseloads, monitor progress, and support client transitions.
• Liaise with external community partners.
• Maintain accurate client files, case notes, and program data.
• Develop and enhance program curricula, resources, and procedures.
• Coordinate program activities, counselling sessions, and group schedules.
• Support recruitment and outreach initiatives to increase awareness of available services.
• Participate in program development, training, and reporting as needed.

Skills

Communication

Mediation

Crisis intervention

Group facilitation

Documentation

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Work, Community Services, or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Client databases

Job description

Date Posted: October 20, 2026
Application Deadline: November 3, 2026
Reports To: Manager, Programs
Location: On Site office and Communities Toronto, ON
Hours of Work: 35 hours/week Full time Permanent (some evening/weekend work required)
Classification: Unionized
Hourly Wage: $32.87

About Elizabeth Fry Toronto

Elizabeth Fry Toronto delivers gender-based, trauma-informed services and advocates for justice and equity for women and non-binary people who are criminalized and their families. We envision communities where women and gender-diverse people are not criminalized. Guided by our values of compassion, equity & inclusion, excellence, and accountability, our work is grounded in anti-oppressive, anti-racist, feminist, and abolitionist frameworks.

Position Summary

The Counsellor provides counselling, education and client support to women navigating the impacts of gender-based violence, trauma, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

This position delivers individual and group counselling, facilitates psycho-educational programming, and coordinates referrals and community supports to promote client safety, healing, and successful reintegration.

This role is ideal for someone who brings strong counselling skills and a commitment to social justice, applies trauma-informed and feminist approaches, and can build trusting relationships while supporting women through complex challenges and transitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct client intake, eligibility screening, and needs assessments.
• Provide individual and group counselling using trauma-informed, feminist, and client-centered approaches.
• Conduct crisis intervention, risk assessments, and safety planning.
• Facilitate counselling groups and psycho-educational workshops.
• Manage client caseloads, monitor progress, and support client transitions.
• Liaise with external community partners.
• Maintain accurate client files, case notes, and program data.
• Develop and enhance program curricula, resources, and procedures.
• Coordinate program activities, counselling sessions, and group schedules.
• Support recruitment and outreach initiatives to increase awareness of available services.
• Participate in program development, training, and reporting as needed.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Community Services, or a related field
• Minimum 3 years of experience in counselling and or group facilitation
• Knowledge of short-term solution-focused counselling modalities
• Experience working with women and gender-diverse people impacted by systemic marginalization or criminalization.
• Excellent communication, mediation, organizational, and crisis intervention skills
• Strong documentation and administrative capabilities
• Experience with client databases and Microsoft 365
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is an asset.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time, in-person role with travel to community locations as required.

Some evening or weekend hours will be required to deliver groups.

Equity Statement

Elizabeth Fry Toronto is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and other equity-deserving communities. We recognize the importance of lived experience in the criminal justice system and value applications from those with relevant personal insight. We are committed to creating a respectful, barrier-free hiring process. If you require accommodation during any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.