Walk-in Counsellor ( Part-Time)

Canadian Mental Health Association; Oakville; Hybrid; CAD 43,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Training opportunities

Competitive vacation package

Comprehensive benefits/pension

Job summary

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Region is seeking a part-time Walk-In Counsellor in the Clinical Services team. The role offers 22.5 to 30 hours weekly, with occasional evenings, in a hybrid format across Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills.

You will provide 1:1 counselling to walk-in clients, connect them with community resources, and document sessions while collaborating with partners in a multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counselling, nursing, social work or related field.
• Must be a regulated health professional within Ontario.
• Certifications in crisis intervention, first aid, CPR and ASIST required or supported to complete within first months.
• At least 2 years’ experience counselling with individuals with complex mental health needs (age 16+).
• Experience delivering brief solution-focused therapy and related modalities (CBT, Narrative Therapy, etc.).
• Knowledge of Halton Region resources.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Recovery-focused service delivery approach.
• Understanding of PHIPA and Ontario Mental Health Act.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 counselling to Walk-In clients.
• Provide information on community programs and resources.
• Offer hour-long counselling sessions (in-person and virtual).
• Support clients by identifying goals and strengths.
• Ensure client health, safety and wellness per policies.
• Maintain electronic client records of sessions.
• Perform administrative tasks related to counselling.
• Collaborate with community partners in a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Bachelor's degree (related field)

Regulated health professional

Crisis intervention certs

2+ years mental health counselling

Risk assessments & safety plans

Evidence-based therapies knowledge

Halton resources knowledge

Team collaboration

Recovery philosophy

Bilingual asset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology/counselling/related

Master’s degree (asset)

Tools

EMHware database

MS Word

Excel

Teams

SharePoint

OneNote

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-searching 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. Please email [e-mail] if you wish to review this job posting in an alternative format or if you would like to request an accommodation. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in CMHA-Halton.

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.