Walk-in Counsellor ( Part-Time)

Canadian Mental Health Association; Oakville; Hybrid; CAD 44,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Training opportunities

Competitive vacation package

Comprehensive benefits/pension

Hybrid work format

Job summary

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region Branch (CMHA Halton) is seeking a part-time Walk-In Counsellor for our Clinical Services team. The role offers 22.5 to 30 hours weekly with occasional evening work, delivered through a hybrid format across Milton, Oakville, and Halton Hills locations.

Responsibilities include 1:1 counselling, risk assessment, guiding clients to community resources, and maintaining records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counselling, nursing, social work, or a relevant field; Master’s degree is an asset.
• Must be a regulated health professional within Ontario (i.e., Registered Social Worker or Registered Psychotherapist or equivalent).
• Non-violent crisis intervention, first aid, CPR and ASIST certifications are required or supported to obtain within 3–4 months.
• At least 2 years’ experience counselling adults 16+ with complex mental health concerns.
• Skilled at completing risk assessments and safety plans; knowledge of evidence-based therapies.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual 1:1 counselling to Walk-In clients (may attend in crisis).
• Provide information on relevant community programs and resources.
• Offer hour-long counselling sessions (in-person and virtual).
• Identify goals and strengths with clients.
• Ensure client health, safety, and wellness per legislation and agency policies.
• Maintain electronic client records and perform session-related admin tasks.
• Collaborate with community partners and CMHA Halton departments in a multidisciplinary team.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counselling, nursing, social work, or a relevant field

Master’s degree is an asset

Tools

EMHware database

Job description

Job Type: Part-time Permanent Position (3-4 days a week)

Department: Clinical- Treatment Services

Location(s): Various locations throughout Halton Region

Hours: 22.5 to 30 hours per week

Target Salary Range: $32-$34/HR

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About Us

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region (CMHA Halton) is a leading provider of adult and youth mental health services in the Region of Halton. We are driven by our cause to provide responsive mental health for everyone through equitable services targeted for people living with mental health and/or substance use concerns.

Why Work for CMHA Halton

CMHA Halton offers a supportive team environment, flexible work environment, training opportunities, competitive vacation package, and comprehensive benefits/pension package. We have an enthusiastic team who are dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health concerns within a client-focused environment. Individuals seeking new challenges and opportunities for professional growth are encouraged to apply.

CHMA Halton strives to build an inclusive culture with a staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We are committed to reducing systemic barriers to employment and our services that have traditionally impacted members from the following groups, Black, Indigenous People, and other racially visible persons, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and persons with disabilities. If you are a member of one of these equity-seeking groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your cover letter or your resume. Please also feel free to identify your preferred pronouns when applying.

Role Overview:

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region Branch (CMHA Halton) is seeking a part-time Walk-in Counsellor on our Clinical Services team. The Walk-In Counselling program is a single-session service, rooted in a Solution Focused Brief Therapy model, and may integrate approaches from other evidence-based modalities to meet client needs.

The position is 22.5 to 30 hours per week with occasional evening work. The Walk-In Counselling service is currently being offered in a hybrid format (i.e., combination of virtual and in-person sessions in Milton, Oakville, and Halton Hills locations).

Program Overview:

The Walk-In Counselling program strives to support people who experience mental health issues too:

• Access timely counselling support without a waitlist.
• Enhance coping strategies, life skills, and social skills.
• Develop a strong network of reliable and supportive community connections.
• Avoid escalation of crisis, and unnecessary hospitalizations, where appropriate
• Experience a safe setting to explore issues of wellness with a qualified professional.

The successful candidate will:

• Provide individual 1:1 counselling to clients who attend Walk-In Counselling. These clients may or may not have significant mental health issues and may or may not present in crisis.
• Provide information on relevant community programs and resources.
• Offer hour-long counselling sessions using a brief therapy model. (combination of in-person and virtual)
• Supporting individuals by identifying goals and strengths
• Ensure client health, safety, and wellness according to relevant legislation and agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain electronic client records of counseling sessions.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the counselling session.
• Work collaboratively with community partners and other departments, within CMHA Halton in a multidisciplinary approach.

Qualifications & Skills Needed:

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counselling, nursing, social work, or a relevant field. Master’s degree is an asset.
• Must be a regulated health professional within Ontario (i.e., Registered Social Worker or Registered Psychotherapist or equivalent).
• Non-violent crisis intervention, first aid, CPR and ASIST certifications are required for this role, however CMHA Halton will support any candidate who does not possess these in completing within the first three-four months of employment.
• At least 2 years’ experience collaborating with individuals with complex mental health concerns and providing supportive counselling to people over the age of 16.
• Skilled at completing comprehensive risk assessments and safety plans.
• Competent in the delivery of clinical frameworks of evidence-based therapies such as Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, etc.
• Knowledge of community resources within Halton Region as well as bordering regions.
• Able to work effectively independently and as part of a broader team.
• Commitment to the Recovery philosophy of service provision.
• Knowledge of dual diagnosis and concurrent disorders an asset.
• In depth understanding of relevant legislation (I.e., PHIPA, Ontario Mental Health Act)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Initiative, creativity, flexibility, and openness to change.
• Knowledge of EMHware database or other similar client information system an asset.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and web-based platforms such as Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote.
• Access to a reliable vehicle/means of transportation to travel between locations.
• Ability to speak a second language would be considered an asset.

CMHA Halton will support any accommodations that may be required for you to actively participate in the recruitment process.

CMHA Halton does not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision‑making technologies in any part of our recruitment or selection processes. All hiring decisions are made by our People & Culture team and trained hiring managers, who carefully review each application to ensure a fair, equitable, and human‑centered assessment. We are committed to transparency, privacy, and ethical hiring practices, and we ensure that every candidate is evaluated by real people who bring thoughtful judgment, inclusivity, and care to our recruitment practices.

This posting is intended to fill a new vacancy within the agency.