Trauma Therapist

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre; Halifax; On-site; CAD 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused service organization in Halifax is seeking a Trauma Therapist to deliver individual and group therapeutic counseling to individuals affected by gender-based violence. The ideal candidate must have a graduate degree in Social Work or Psychology, extensive experience working with Indigenous communities, and strong communication skills. This full-time position offers an opportunity to contribute to a supportive environment through culturally informed approaches. The salary is $78,000 per year, and applications are due by February 23, 2026.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in providing individual counselling and crisis support.
• 1+ years of post-graduate specialized experience in therapeutic counselling.
• Access to a reliable means of transportation.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual trauma therapy counselling sessions.
• Co-facilitate group-based trauma therapy sessions.
• Record and maintain formal client records.

Skills

Experience working with Indigenous communities

Verbal and written communication

Ability to manage psychological demands

Networking and collaboration skills

Understanding of systemic inequalities

Education

Graduate level degree in Social Work or Psychology

Core Competency Training: Mental Health First Aid, ASIST

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

Employment Opportunity: Trauma Therapist

Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is centrally located in the urban Indigenous community of Halifax and is looking for (1) Trauma Therapist.

Trauma Therapists provide individual and group therapeutic counselling services to individuals of all gender identities, aged 15 years up, who have experienced sexualized and gender-based violence. Therapy services are offered in-person, via phone, and online.

Location: Halifax, NS

Salary Range: $78, 000 per year

Employment Term: 1 year contract with options for annual renewal, Full time hours (35 hours/ week)

Reports To: IMHW Program Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the program delivery is congruent with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s mission, vision and philosophy.
• Provide individual trauma therapy counselling sessions for clients in all stages of our work
• Co-facilitate group-based trauma therapy sessions when available and as scheduled
• Plan, organize and facilitate cultural healing circles, and/or other group interventions for Indigenous community members
• Provide supportive and information-based sessions to non-offending parents and partners
• Record and maintain up to date formal client records in accordance with professional college requirements
• Enter and maintain updated client profiles and client session statistics on MNFC Database
• Provide mental health & wellness support from a culturally trauma informed approach and embody the principles of Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk
• Connect clients to community cultural resources, supports, and meaningful activities as required.
• Plan interventions, programs, and conduct program evaluation.
• Ensure confidentiality of the community members and information is maintained.
• Collaborate with internal and external community partners to ensure smooth referrals and client bridging between programs
• Ensure therapy skills remain updated in accordance with professional College requirements
• Ensure ongoing training around trauma-informed and culturally relevant best practices
• Provide occasional community-based training and presentations when time and resources allow
• Contribute to organizational culture by attending team meetings, serving on committees or working groups, providing input and feedback on new policies and procedures, and/or participating in community events as appropriate.
• Supervise placement students as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with all team members and partnering organizations to achieve desired services and outcomes.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduate level degree in Social Work, Counselling Psychotherapy, or Psychology and registered with associated regulatory body (NSCSW, NSCCT)
• 3+ overall years of experience in providing individual counselling, crisis support, and advocacy
• Experience working with Indigenous communities is essential
• 1+ years of post-graduate specialized experience related to sexual assault/abuse with a focus on therapeutic counselling considered an asset
• Advanced training, knowledge, and skills in working with complex relational trauma and dissociation considered an asset
• Strong knowledge of local community organizations and systems to facilitate referrals, collaboration, and networking is preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of two-eyed seeing approaches to mental well-being.
• Ability to engage and remain present with people who are highly activated in crisis states
• Knowledge of the intersectional dimension of systemic inequalities, including but not limited to racism, colonialism, sexism/misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, classism/poverty, ableism, ageism, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in networking, advocating and collaborating to improve under-served populations’ access to services
• Proven ability to work as part of a collaborative team following relational values and practices
• Able to consult with supervisor in addressing challenging client situations and in monitoring and addressing vicarious trauma
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage psychological demands of working with clients who are at different stages of emotional healing and recovery, assisting and supporting clients experiencing extreme crisis states, managing a full-time caseload of clients who have experienced sexual assault/abuse, exposure to systems causing re-traumatization and secondary harm, and vicarious trauma impacts due to the inherent risk associated with providing direct services to individuals who have experienced sexualized violence
• Ability to work varied shifts depending on the need of community members.
• Access to a reliable means of transportation.
• Experience using Microsoft Office (word, excel, outlook, access, power point).
• Core Competency Training: Mental Health First Aid, ASIST and NVCI.
• Required Vulnerable Sector Check & Child Abuse Registrar must be provided prior to start of position.
• This position is designated for people with Indigenous Ancestry, please self-identify.

Application Deadline: February 23rd 2026

Submit Cover Letter & Resume to: https://mnfc.applytojobs.ca/

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is an equal opportunity employer; and complies with all fair employment practices laws. We are committed to providing a workplace free form unlawful discrimination and harassment and prohibit the same against employees, applicants or other covered persons by co-workers, supervisors, managers, or third parties based on a person’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veterans status, disability unrelated to job requirements, ethnicity, genetic information, military service, political affiliation, marital status and pregnancy or other protected status. Qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority in accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) reserves the right to refuse all applications for employment. The MNFC will not assume any expenses related to this or any job application process included and not limited to travel, relocation, and application development.

Only those applicants who are screened in for an interview will be contacted.