Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellor

Covenant House Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading youth services organization in Toronto seeks a Mental Health & Substance Use Counsellor responsible for providing psychotherapy to youth facing homelessness. The role requires a youth-centered approach, addressing mental health goals, and collaboration with care teams. Ideal candidates will have a degree in social work or a related field, relevant clinical experience, and a strong understanding of youth issues. The position offers competitive compensation and benefits in a supportive workplace.

Benefits

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Gym membership discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience providing clinical interventions to youth.
• Knowledge of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy skills is an asset.
• Registration with a regulatory college for psychotherapy is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual psychotherapy to youth at risk of homelessness.
• Assess and work with youth on goals related to mental health.
• Participate in program-related data collection and evaluation.

Skills

Youth-centered approach

Therapeutic interventions

Adolescent development knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

BSW or equivalent education

MSW preferred

Job description

Clinical Services Department

Onsite

Full Time, Permanent

Level 8

Requisition Number: CSD-2025-002, CSD-2025-004 & CSD-2025-005

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day. More than a place to stay, we provide life‑changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on‑site and, in the community, health and well‑being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community. For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

Overview

The Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellor provides individual psychotherapy to youth who are experiencing, exiting, or at‑risk of homelessness. Through working in an anti‑oppressive and trauma‑informed manner, this position supports youth to work towards self‑identified goals related to their mental and emotional wellbeing. This position works with youth both individually and in collaboration with their broader care teams. The role provides flexible and low‑barrier services in‑person and virtually, both onsite and in the community according to the needs of youth.

We are currently recruiting for 3 Full‑time, Permanent Mental Health & Substance Use Counsellors. These are replacement roles within the organization.

Responsibilities

• Use a youth‑centered approach to assess and work with youth on goals related to their substance use and mental health in ways that are responsive to their individual needs, strengths, and desires.
• Draw from a sound understanding of adolescent development to apply therapeutic interventions suitable for working with mental health, substance use, and complex trauma.
• Complete and maintain case notes, program‑related documentation, and client files according to professional standards and agency policies.
• Participate in program‑related data collection, research, and evaluation to ensure that the program is accessible to and meeting the needs of youth.
• Support youth to access programs and resources that support their goals and wellbeing.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with other service providers and work collaboratively as part of youths’ continuum of care.
• Run groups and group‑based activities for youth as needed.
• Participate actively in personal and team professional development through clinical supervision, practice discussions, communities of practice, and program and department meetings.

Qualifications

• Minimum of BSW, a degree in a counselling‑related field, or equivalent education or experience. MSW preferred.
• 3 years experience providing clinical interventions to youth experiencing and at‑risk of homelessness, supporting a sound understanding of applying relevant clinical counselling modalities.
• Knowledge of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy skills is an asset.
• Registration with an appropriate regulatory college that authorises the controlled act of psychotherapy (e.g., OCSWSSW, CRPO) is required.
• Knowledge of issues related to youth at‑risk of or experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ2S+ identities, anti‑Black racism and other forms of race‑based oppression, mental health and substance use concerns and disorders, and developmental and learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of community resources and systems relevant to youth mental health, substance use, and homelessness.
• Excellent communication (both oral and written), organisational skills, and the ability to work independently.
• Able to provide psychotherapy to youth on a flexible schedule, both online and in‑person, and in various settings according to the needs and comfortability of youth.

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. If you are excited about the role but your resume doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the description, apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles.

What we Offer

• Meaningful work.
• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
• Employee perks which include discounts on gym membership, city bike rentals, auto & home insurance and more.

Interested candidates are welcome to apply directly to this posting on or by January 19, 2026. Only those selected to move forward in our recruitment process will be contacted. No agencies or phone calls please.

Use of AI and Technology in the Hiring Process

Covenant House Toronto does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. However, we do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently.

While our ATS may apply automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters. No hiring decisions are made by AI.

Commitment to Equitable Recruitment

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, under‑represented and marginalised in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialised people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.