Addiction Counsellor – Donegal

Cpl Healthcare; Letterkenny; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Paid sick leave

Paid maternity leave

Bike-to-work scheme

Professional development opportunities

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Cpl Healthcare is partnering with a leading non-profit in the Northwest to recruit an Addiction Counsellor in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. You will provide person-centred addiction counselling within a multidisciplinary team, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma and addiction on their recovery journey.

You will build therapeutic relationships, advocate for clients, and work across homes and wider community settings. A 35-hour week and permanent contract form the core package.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 7 NFQ qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy.
• Accreditation with IACP, IAAAC or ICP.
• 2+ years of full-time counselling experience with addiction focus.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic addiction counselling and recovery-focused support to service users.
• Build trusting, supportive relationships with clients who have experienced homelessness, trauma and addiction.
• Deliver harm-reduction and person-centred interventions.
• Develop and implement individualised care and recovery plans.
• Advocate for service users and support access to services and resources.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues for coordinated holistic support.
• Liaise with external agencies, housing providers, rehabilitation services and healthcare professionals.
• Support pathways towards housing stability, community integration and long-term recovery.

Skills

Counselling experience

Harm reduction

Trauma-informed care

Advocacy

Communication skills

Driver's license

Client relationship building

Education

NFQ Level 7 Counselling/Psychotherapy

Accreditation (IACP/IAAAC/ICP)

Job description

Addiction Counsellor

Homeless Services | Letterkenny and Co. Donegal

Cpl Healthcare is proud to partner with a leading non-profit organisation in the Northwest that provides vital support to people who have experienced long-term homelessness, chronic trauma, mental health challenges and addiction.

About the Role

As an Addiction Counsellor, you will play a key role in empowering service users to move towards recovery, stability and improved wellbeing. Working within a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will provide person-centred addiction counselling and support using a harm reduction and recovery-oriented approach that meets individuals where they are in their journey.

You will have the opportunity to build meaningful therapeutic relationships, advocate on behalf of clients and support them both within their homes and throughout the wider community. This role offers the chance to work with some of the most vulnerable individuals in society while helping them achieve positive, lasting change.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic addiction counselling and recovery-focused support to service users.
• Build trusting, supportive relationships with clients who have experienced homelessness, trauma and addiction.
• Deliver interventions using harm reduction principles and person-centred approaches.
• Develop and implement individualised care and recovery plans.
• Advocate for service users and support access to appropriate services and community resources.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to ensure coordinated, holistic support.
• Liaise effectively with external agencies, housing providers, rehabilitation services and healthcare professionals.
• Support service users to engage with pathways towards housing stability, community integration and long-term recovery.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will have:

Essential Qualifications

• A professional qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy at a minimum of Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

And

• Accreditation with one of the following professional bodies:
  • Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP)
  • Irish Association of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors (IAAAC)
  • A recognised body within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP)

Essential Experience & Skills

• A minimum of 2 years’ full-time experience in a counselling setting where addiction formed a significant part of the work.
• Experience using harm reduction approaches and recovery-focused interventions.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Substance misuse and addiction
  • Homelessness and social exclusion
  • Dual diagnosis and complex mental health presentations
  • Community-based rehabilitation and recovery pathways
  • Housing and training support services
• Experience developing and reviewing care plans.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proven ability to develop positive working relationships with clients, colleagues and external agencies.
• A full clean driver’s licence and access to a vehicle.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Permanent contract with a 35-hour working week.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Pension scheme.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid maternity leave.
• Bike-to-work scheme.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A supportive, values-driven working environment.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals facing some of society’s most complex challenges.