Mental Health and Addictions Clinician

Supportive Housing & Homelessness; Halifax; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

YWCA Halifax is seeking a Mental Health and Addictions Clinician to support safer spaces housing initiatives for survivors of exploitation. The role delivers evidence-based counselling and case management to youth/young adults, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed, feminist approaches, cultural competency, and ongoing professional development. Hours are negotiable, with some evenings, and work is located in HRM, Nova Scotia.

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work, Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology.
• Registered or eligible for registrations with the relevant professional body.
• Minimum two years of experience delivering mental health and addictions services with youth/young adults.
• Understanding of feminist theory and intersectionality, racism, colonialism, violence against women, human trafficking and poverty.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, harm-reduction practices and commitment to ongoing learning.
• Experience with diverse lived experiences including 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, Indigenous peoples, African Nova Scotians, and other communities.
• Trauma-informed, person-centered care with sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Strong skills in mental health and addiction screening and suicide risk assessment.
• Experience providing therapy using evidence-based modalities and client engagement strategies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to prioritize workload and manage time effectively.
• Proficiency with electronic documentation and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work evenings.
• In-person, text/phone, and virtual service delivery.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention / ASI training or willing to obtain
• First Aid/CPR current or willing to obtain
• Criminal Records & Vulnerable Sector Check upon hire

Responsibilities

• Deliver holistic, trauma-informed care and coordinate transfer to clinical services for youth and young adults.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to inform care planning.
• Provide clinical direction and oversight for care plans and interventions.
• Maintain accurate case notes and documentation.
• Stay current with relevant legislation, policies and protocols.
• Contribute to program development, evaluation, and quality improvement.
• Develop and deliver educational and wellness workshops for staff.
• Participate in performance appraisals and ongoing professional development.
• Uphold professional and ethical standards and organizational policies.
• Assist with program delivery as needed.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Suicide risk assessment

Evidence-based therapy

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Documentation skills

Diversity & inclusion

Communication skills

Time management

Flexibility

Education

Master of Social Work / Clinical Psychology / Counselling Psychology

Tools

Electronic case documentation

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Mental Health and Addictions Clinician

Reports to: Housing Manager

Job Classification: Part-Time, Permanent

Annual Salary: $32000-$40000

Hours: 20 Hours a week – schedule negotiable

Location: HRM, Nova Scotia

Deadline: November 16th , 2026

YWCA Halifax is a progressive, multi-service, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people and their families at critical turning points in their lives. We work to transform lives by providing a continuum of services and programs that drive lasting positive change. We strive to change the underlying issues that are root causes of inequality, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Our four program focus areas include: promoting the health, wellness, and leadership of women and girls; advancing women’s economic and housing security; delivering quality, accessible, early learning, and childcare; and working to end violence against women, girls and gender diverse people.

Why work for the YWCA

Staff at YWCA Halifax enjoy a supportive and dynamic team environment, a commitment to staff growth, a connection to the national and international YWCA movements, learning from colleagues in a multiservice agency, and a strong shared vision.

Why YOU should apply

Even if you don’t have all the requirements listed in this position, you may be the right candidate. If you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail and a passion for social justice and gender equity, we want to hear from you. Take a chance and apply. Tell us how you can make a difference through your YWCA.

Program Overview

The Safer Spaces program operates two housing initiatives for survivors of sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking. The first initiative is a safe house that operates as emergency transitional housing for young-adult survivors of sexual exploitation or human trafficking who are trying to exit the sex trade. Participants staying in the safer spaces home are offered wrap-around supports to build life stability and take steps towards regaining their personal autonomy. The secondary program is a dedicated child and youth and caring program for individuals aged 12 to 18 in care of the minister who are currently involved in a form of sexual exploitation. The program is in the initial opening stages and will serve to provide holistic wrap around care for the youth that reside in the program.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Mental Health and Addictions Clinician:

• Embrace a holistic, equity focused, and trauma-informed approach to youth well-being, considering social determinants of health, and the YWCA Halifax’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism.
• Deliver evidence-based counselling, case management, and coordinated transfer of care to clinical addiction and mental health services for youth and young adults.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary staff team to help inform care planning for the youth engaged in programming, in accordance with their scope of practice.
• Provide clinical direction and oversight for care plans and behavioural interventions delivered by site staff, within their scope of practice.
• Maintain effective case notes, thorough documentation in accordance with best practice standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of legislation, policies, and protocols related to youth mental health and addictions.
• Contribute to site planning, development, research, evaluation, and quality improvement (local/provincial; occasional national).
• Develop and deliver educational and wellness-based workshops to the staff team.
• Engage in performance appraisals, required training, and professional development.
• Act with the highest professional and ethical standards, following all organizational policies, procedures, applicable legislation and regulation, and professional standards and codes of ethics.
• Assist with program delivery as needed
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master of Social Work, Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology.
• Registered or eligible for registrations, with the relevant professional body.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working with youth or young adults in delivering mental health and addictions services required.
• An understanding of feminist theoretical perspectives and intersectionality. As well as issues of racism/ colonialism, violence against women, human trafficking and sexual exploitation, sexual health, and poverty.
• Knowledge of and experience with community-based, trauma-informed, harm-reduction practices as well as a strong commitment to ongoing learning and development in these areas.
• Experience working with people who bring diverse lived experiences, including 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Mi’kmaq, Inuit, and Métis), African Nova Scotians, racialized communities, newcomers, people with disabilities, and others with intersecting identities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to trauma informed, person-centered care, with sound judgement, interpersonal sensitivity, and diplomacy.
• A high degree of proficiency in mental health and addiction screening and risk assessment; including suicide assessment.
• Experience providing clinical therapy using evidence-based methods and modalities, strong clinical decision making, collaborative practice, and client engagement strategies.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, while contributing effectively within an interdisciplinary, integrated service model.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, adapt to changing demands, and ensure effective organization and time management.
• Proficiency with electronic case documentation, file management and Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to maintain timely and accurate records.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings.
• Ability to provide services in person, via text or telephone, and virtually.
• Competencies in other languages would be an asset but is not required.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training, or willing to obtain
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or willing to obtain
• Current First Aid/CPR
• Child Abuse Record Check, Criminal Records and Vulnerable Sector Check upon hire

YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, (dis)Ability, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.