Counsellor, Concurrent Disorders

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services; London; On-site; CAD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension plan

Extended health benefits after 90 days

Full-time permanent (benefited)

70 hours biweekly schedule

Job summary

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services seeks a Counsellor for Concurrent Disorders in London/Elgin Zones to provide client-centered, recovery-focused care.

The role involves intake, screening, assessment, crisis intervention, and flexible delivery across onsite, client homes, and community settings. HOOPP pension and extended healthcare after 90 days are included.

Qualifications

• College diploma or university degree in a mental health/addiction related field.
• Current registration with a relevant college (OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO or CPO).
• Valid driver’s license and liability insurance for transporting clients.

Responsibilities

• Participate in intake processes and screen to determine eligibility and needs.
• Assess clients, develop safety/crisis plans and coordinate follow-up supports.
• Develop and review individualized treatment and recovery plans with clients.
• Provide counselling, psychoeducation and skills development to support recovery.
• Provide outreach and case management, connect clients to community resources.

Skills

Intake

Screening

Assessment

Crisis intervention

Counselling

Case management

Outreach

Service navigation

Advocacy

Education

College Diploma / University Degree in mental health/addiction field

Job description

Counsellor, Concurrent Disorders
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Full-Time, Permanent (Benefited)

London and St. Thomas, Ontario (London and Elgin Zones) - Application Deadline: September 28, 2026 -

We believe that everyone has the right to live with dignity, autonomy and independence in our community.

Working within a multidisciplinary team framework, the Concurrent Disorders Counsellor provides client-centered, recovery-focused support to individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns.

Responsibilities include intake, screening, assessment, crisis intervention, treatment and recovery planning, counselling, case management, outreach, service navigation, advocacy, referrals and follow-up. Services are delivered in a variety of settings, including onsite, clients’ home, community locations, virtual platforms and other outreach environments.

Using strengths-based, trauma-informed, harm reduction, motivational interviewing and other evidence-informed approaches, the Counsellor partners with clients to support their recovery goals and overall wellness. The role focuses on reducing barriers to care, enhancing engagement and connecting clients with appropriate mental health and addiction supports.

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $30.01 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
  1. Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($37.26 per hour for regulated); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
• When you'll work -70 hours biweekly; Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm, with 1-hour unpaid break
• Your pension plan – Immediately enrolled in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• What your benefits will be – After a 90-day waiting period, will be enrolled in extended healthcare benefits

HOW YOU WILLBE MAKINGA DIFFERENCE:

Intake, Screening, Assessment, Crisis Support and Follow-Up

• Participate in scheduled intake processes as outlined for the program.
• Complete screening to determine eligibility, risk, strengths, needs and support areas.
• Select, administer, interpret, and document standardized and evidence-informed screening and assessment tools to support the identification of mental health, substance use, and concurrent disorder concerns and guide service planning.
• Assess clients' overall functioning and support needs, including mental health, substance use, physical health, social determinants of health, readiness for change, safety concerns, and barriers to care.
• Partner with clients experiencing crisis to reduce immediate risks, develop safety and crisis prevention plans, promote stabilization and coordinate appropriate follow-up supports.
• Review and update treatment, recovery, discharge and transition plans as clients’ needs and goals change.

Counselling, Treatment and Recovery Planning

• Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients through respectful, ethical, strengths-based, trauma-informed, recovery-focused and culturally responsive care.
• Utilize harm reduction, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the Stages of Change model, psychosocial rehabilitation, and other evidence-informed counselling approaches in individual and group settings.
• Develop and review individualized treatment and recovery plans with clients, including goal setting, coping strategies, referrals and discharge planning.
• Provide counselling, psychoeducation, skill development, and support to help clients achieve their recovery goals and enhance overall well-being.
• Facilitate groups, provide education and participate in outreach activities as needed.

Outreach, Case Management, Service Navigation and Advocacy

• Provide outreach services in a variety of community settings to reduce barriers and improve access to care.
• Manage a clinical caseload, meet direct and indirect service requirements and balance competing priorities in a timely and organized manner.
• Coordinate access to the most appropriate available services based on screening, assessment, treatment planning and client preference.
• Support clients with navigation and connection to mental health, substance use, primary care, housing, income, justice, social assistance, developmental services, acquired brain injury supports and other community resources.
• Advocate for client needs, rights, and access to treatment, supports, resources, and services while promoting self-advocacy, empowerment and informed decision-making.
• Participate in and lead client-centred case conferences, coordinated care plans, community plans and collaborative planning with internal teams and external partners.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 5 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• College Diploma or University Degree in a mental health and addiction related field, preferably Social Work, Social Service Worker, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychotherapy, Psychology, and Child and Youth Care (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Current registration and in good standing with an appropriate college (OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO)
• Valid Driver’s License: minimum G2 class required
• Transportation of clients in personal vehicle required; two million-dollar ($2 000 000.00) liability insurance required
• Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Current certification in First Aid/CPR or willingness to complete as required
• ASIST trained
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trained
• Experience providing clinical services to individuals with concurrent mental health and substance use concerns, including intake, screening, assessment, treatment planning, counselling, group facilitation, crisis intervention and case management.
• Demonstrated experience using recovery-focused, trauma-informed, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, psychosocial rehabilitation and evidence-informed treatment approaches.
• Experience and knowledge of assessment tools such as GAIN SS, ADAT and other relevant mental health, substance use and risk assessment tools.
• Experience working with individuals who experience multiple and intersecting challenges, including marginalization, trauma, homelessness, poverty, complex health needs, involvement with the justice system, acquired brain injury, developmental disability and barriers to service access.
• Bilingual in both official languages, preferred;Une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS:

To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail]

Legal Notifications:

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes