Counsellor, Substance Use

CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services; London; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in London, Ontario is seeking a Counsellor in the Substance Use program. The role involves providing empathetic client-centered care using a harm reduction approach. Responsibilities include one-to-one and group sessions, facilitating service navigation, and engaging in community outreach. Candidates should have post-secondary education in a related field and ideally experience in addictions or mental health. Join a team making a difference in the community.

Benefits

Pension plan enrollment

Competitive hourly rate

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a related field required.
• Must have a valid Driver's Licence and accessible vehicle.
• 3 years’ experience in addictions or mental health preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide client-centred care from a harm reduction approach.
• Facilitate successful service navigation for clients.
• Engage in community development and outreach.

Skills

Client-centred care

Empathy

Advocacy

Community awareness

Bilingual (preferred)

Education

Post-secondary education in a related field (e.g. BSW)

Job description

Counsellor, Substance Use

Direct Service - (OPSEU)

Full-Time, Contract (End date: July 20, 2026)

London, ON (London Zone)

- Application Deadline: September 28, 2025 -

We believe that change is possible, for those who are concerned with their substance use and ready to explore options of support.

As a Counsellor in the Substance Use program, you’ll meet clients with empathy, and use a strengths-based, harm reduction approach to work alongside them on their recovery journey. Through one-to-one and group sessions you’ll help clients improve their health, social outcomes and overall quality of life; while also providing referrals and connections to other supports and resources to ensure a comprehensive approach to improving their wellness.

The successful candidate for this position will be splitting their time working between our Woodstock and London locations.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

WHAT WE00RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
• Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
• Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $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 over a two-week period; Hours will be Monday to Friday including daytime shifts 8:30am-4:30pm and one evening shift 12pm-8pm
• Your pension plan - Immediately eligible for optional enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

• Providing client-centred care from a harm reduction approach
• Facilitating successful service navigation for clients through empowerment and/or advocacy
• Sharing in the provision of Entry / First Contact / Intake Services
• Providing assessment, treatment planning, referral, advocacy, preliminary case management, community treatment and education as appropriate to persons who have concerns about their own substance use or someone else’s. Counselling may be on an individual or group basis
• Participating in the facilitation of community treatment groups as needed and appropriate
• Engaging in community development, community awareness, education and outreach as designated and appropriate, representing the agency in a professional manner

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 PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in a related field, e.g. BSW, post-graduate diploma in addictions or equivalent required (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Valid Driver's Licence and access to a vehicle with adequate insurance to transport clients
• Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Current registration with professional college
• 3 years’ experience working in addictions or mental health
• Clinical work experience ideally in substance use treatment including intake services
• Demonstrated ability to work with clients who live with multiple challenges related to marginalization, mental illness, substance use, complex health challenges, street level sex work, poverty, homelessness, and trauma
• Extensive knowledge of community resources, service & support programs, and barriers clients face in accessing same
• Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies
• Computer literacy
• Ability to assess level of risk in regards to clients
• ASIST and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training
• First Aid & CPR
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents 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.

Get your application in by – September 28, 2025:

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