Outreach Clinical Counsellor

YWCA Calgary; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

Personal days

Sick days

Birthday off

Employee assistance program

Job summary

YWCA Calgary is seeking an Outreach Clinical Counsellor to provide trauma-informed counselling to individuals referred through the Equally Safe initiative. You will work with the outreach team and community partners to support those affected by family and domestic violence.

The role includes short-term counselling (up to 12 sessions), safety planning, risk assessment, and collaboration with Calgary Police Service and community resources, with hybrid work options.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counselling, or Clinical Psychology and active professional registration.
• Minimum 2 years experience with family violence and mental health challenges.
• Minimum 2 years of counselling experience.
• First Aid/CPR, Naloxone, ASIST, NVCI, and Brain Story certifications within 3 months.

Responsibilities

• Deliver counselling services to individuals referred through the Equally Safe initiative.
• Provide short-term counselling up to 12 sessions with safety and stabilization focus.
• Deliver trauma-informed therapies (CBT, DBT, solution-focused, narrative approaches).
• Perform risk assessment, goal/service planning, and psychoeducation.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and emotional support.
• Collaborate with team members and community partners (e.g., Calgary Police Service).
• Support clients with referrals to YWCA Calgary and community resources.
• Maintain accurate case notes and adhere to documentation standards.

Skills

Trauma-informed counselling

Crisis intervention

Risk assessment

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counselling, or Clinical Psychology

Registration in good standing with a professional body under the Health Professions Act

Police Information Check & Vulnerable Sector Search

Tools

First Aid/CPR certifications

Naloxone training

ASIST, NVCI, Brain Story certificates

Job description

The Outreach Clinical Counsellor is responsible for providing therapeutic counselling services to individuals in the community referred through the Equally Safe initiative. As a member of the Outreach team, this position works collaboratively with team members and community partners to support individuals impacted by family and domestic violence. The Outreach Clinical Counsellor will use evidenced-based modalities to deliver trauma-informed services to help individuals understand their struggles and develop strategies to improve their lives.

This position typically works 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm, and is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

What We Offer

• Truly rewarding work; contribute to lasting, positive change for individuals and our community
• A supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development
• Comprehensive benefits including an employee assistance plan
• Paid time off (for eligible roles; prorated based on start date and FTE) includes:
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 6 personal days
• 12 sick days
• A paid day off to celebrate your birthday

What You'll Do

• Deliver counselling services to individuals in the community referred through the Equally Safe initiative, which serves men, women, and non-binary adults, including those who use violence in their relationships as well as those who experience violence
• Provide short-term counselling, ranging from a single-session intervention to up to 12 sessions, with a focus on safety and stabilization
• Deliver client-centered, trauma-informed therapeutic services using multiple modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Brief Solution-Focused Therapy
• Provide individualized risk assessment, goal and service planning, and psychoeducation and counselling support tailored to individual needs
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and emotional support to help with stabilization
• Select evidenced-based interventions appropriate for supporting individuals struggling with mental health challenges and the impacts of family and domestic violence
• Support clients to develop knowledge and skills that promote healthy relationships, including emotion regulation, stress management, coping and problem-solving
• Engage and work collaboratively with team members and community partners around coordinated service delivery, including the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and agencies connected to the Equally Safe initiative
• While working from a co-location model with Calgary Police Service (CPS), navigate safe locations in the community where counselling sessions can occur, such as community resource centers
• Support clients with referrals and connection to other YWCA and community resources
• Administer pre and post surveys with clients, using data collection tools designated by the program
• Keep accurate case notes according to organizational standards
• Adhere to the record keeping and documentation expectations of the program
• Actively participate in team meeting and regular supervision, including clinical support and consultation received through YWCA Calgary’s counselling team

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Social Work, Counselling, or Clinical Psychology
• Registration in good standing with a professional body under the Health Professions Act
• Minimum of 2 years experience working in the field of family violence, supporting individuals struggling with addictions and mental health challenges
• Minimum of 2 years of counselling experience

What You'll Bring

• Strong understanding of the intersection of family violence, mental health, substance abuse, traumatic stress, poverty and homelessness, as well as crisis intervention and recovery
• Strong knowledge of community resources and referral processes
• Key attributes include agility, rapid response, flexibility, and the ability to quickly engage with individuals and develop stability related solutions
• Training and experience in treatment options such as CBT, DBT, mind/body therapies, Solution-Focused Therapy, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, using a strength-based approach
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
• First Aid/CPR, Naloxone, ASIST, NVCI, and Brain Story certifications required within 3 months of employment
• Ability to act as the first responder for medical emergencies, including the administration of Naloxone and performing First Aid/CPR as required until emergency medical services arrive
• A clear Police Information Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Search, and an Intervention Record Check is required upon commencement of employment.
• Flexibility in hours and scheduling

YW Calgary is committed to providing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace where all employees, volunteers and clients feel valued and respected, whatever their race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, ancestry, or place of origin.

Privacy statement: Personal information is managed in accordance with Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and other applicable laws and we are committed to safeguarding your personal information. During the recruitment process personal information is collected for the purpose of people practice management. Privacy inquiries can be directed to the attention of the Privacy Officer at [e-mail].