Emotional Wellness Counsellor

WNHAC; Kenora; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension plan

Job summary

WNHAC is seeking an Emotional Wellness Counsellor to support clients through group sessions and individual counselling, fostering holistic well-being aligned with Indigenous healing traditions and contemporary healthcare practices.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed practice, cultural competence, and collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team, with duties including documentation and program development.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in social work, counselling, Indigenous studies, or related discipline.
• Training and experience in trauma-informed practice, life skills, grief and loss, addictions, suicide prevention preferred; extensive group counselling experience.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate group sessions to support healing journeys.
• Provide one-on-one or group counselling and refer to more intensive therapy if needed.
• Complete documentation to chart progress and ensure effective communication.
• Develop and evaluate program content to ensure ongoing quality and effectiveness.
• Maintain communication between program staff and team members.
• In emergencies, redeploy to ensure essential services.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Group counselling

Interpersonal communication

Cultural competence

Education

Post-secondary degree in social work or related discipline

Job description

Full-Time Existing Position

Emotional Wellness Counsellor

The Healing Services Team supports people in their healing journeys by listening and sharing the strengths of our Anishinaabe language and ways of life in a safe and comfortable environment. The Healing Lodge supports personal change and growth by promoting Minobimaadiziwin, achieving a good life and good health for Anishinaabeg and communities through traditional and contemporary healthcare encompassing mind, body, heart and spirit.

The Emotional Wellness Counselor develops and facilitates wholistic mental health services that restore, maintain and enhance well-being by mobilizing strengths, supporting coping capacities, linking clients to necessary resources, and providing psychosocial education related to wellness. This position works as part of a team to support clients’ healing journeys through group facilitation and individual counselling.

NOTE: Traditional practices involving burning sacred medicines including tobacco, sweetgrass, sage and cedar and other cultural protocols occur regularly within our work setting.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate group sessions that will advance and support participants’ healing journeys.
• Provide one-on-one supports and/or group counselling to assist in understanding and/or meeting participants’ goals and objectives and referring on to more intensive therapy services if deemed necessary.
• Complete documentation required to chart progress, ensure accountability and facilitate effective communication as prescribed by established organizational policies and standards.
• Participate in the development and evaluation of program content and activities to ensure ongoing quality and effectiveness of services.
• Maintain effective communication between program staff, interprofessional management and team members.
• Other duties as required. In extenuating situations or in the event of an emergency, may be redeployed to ensure provision of essential services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary degree in social work, counselling, Indigenous studies, or any other related discipline; training and experience in trauma informed practice, life skills, grief and loss, addictions, and suicide prevention preferred; extensive experience in providing group counselling;
• Demonstrated understanding of wholistic health and well-being; personal experience or strong knowledge of the healing journey and abstinence from mind altering chemicals;
• Ability to work in a collaborative, de-colonial, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach and to support WNHAC values in meaningful ways; knowledge of historical trauma and the impacts of that history on the health of people, families, and communities;
• Demonstrated capacity for wholistic and strategic thinking, and competence in conflict resolution;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (including computer skills); demonstrated interpersonal skills to deal effectively with a wide variety of people;
• Deep understanding and experience of Indigenous culture, values, and perspectives as well as traditional and contemporary health care practices, and wholistic health and wellbeing; ability to speak and understand Anishinaabemowin a definite asset;
• Experience working in an Indigenous organization; understanding and/or willingness to learn of Indigenous culture and values;
• Proof of immunization in compliance with policy requirements is mandatory;
• Valid drivers’ license, own vehicle and willingness and ability to travel required;
• Criminal records check and current drivers’ abstract required;
• Commitment to ongoing training and professional development relevant to job requirements; and
• Positive attitude and capacity to act as a healthy lifestyle role model.

Salary: $62,575-$85,265 with excellent benefits, including HOOPP pension plan. Salary is based on education and experience.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 5, 2026

Emotional Wellness Counsellor
Email: [e-mail]

Website: WNHAC.org
Fax: [phone]
Phone: (888) MYWNHAC

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, please note only those selected for an interview will be contacted. As an Indigenous employer we encourage First Nations, Inuit, and Metis applicants to apply.