Family Services Durham (FSD) is a multifaceted Division of the Social Services Department of the Regional Municipality of Durham. Successful candidates will join a team of highly skilled Social Workers and Psychotherapists. Durham Region's Social Services Department has a reputation for promoting wellness in the workplace. It has received the highest award from Excellence Canada; the Order of Excellence, and it has achieved a Gold Level in the standard for Excellence, Innovation, and Wellness. Employees receive a competitive benefit package, including a government pension (OMERS) with matching contributions from the employer. FSD has a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development, encouraging staff members to pursue leading edge, evidence-based training, within a short-term framework.
Reporting to the People Leader, the successful candidate will provide individual, couple, family, and/or group therapy as the Social Worker/Psychotherapist, delivering services directly within community settings, including shelters, encampments, supportive housing sites, and other outreach locations, to support vulnerable and marginalized populations with complex mental health and social needs.
The incumbent will:
- Work in partnership with other service providers such as health care workers and multi-sectoral teams to deliver mental health services
- Provide clinical counselling/psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families in various settings through in-person, virtual, and group formats
- Respond to client and agency requests for mental health support and consultation, referrals and workshops
- Evaluate the treatment of services seeking feedback from clients to determine overall effectiveness and recommend appropriate alterations to ensure optimal outcomes
- Provide service navigation, facilitated transfers, and brief case coordination where appropriate, to assist clients with accessing appropriate community supports
- Provide psychoeducational information through the sharing of resources and clinical materials with clients to assist with coping related to presenting challenges
- Maintain confidential clinical records of treatment contacts and assessment information for report management purposes
- Provide consultation to Departments of the Region and community agencies, partners and professionals, and represent the Social Services Department and the Family Services Division on committees within the Region and externally
- Develop and deliver workshops and training
- Perform other duties as assigned such as providing coverage on an as needed basis for clinical outreach programs on call, Critical Incident Response Services and other clinical counselling/psychotherapy services
The successful applicant will possess:
- A completed Master's Degree in a Social Work program or a related discipline
- Experience providing a minimum 2500 hours post master's level clinical counselling/psychotherapy and evidence- based treatment and interventions to individuals, couples and families will be considered
- Registration in good standing with a relevant professional College (i.e. College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and/or Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), and/or College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) in the Associate category)
- Extensive knowledge of various theoretical orientations and practice models and their applications in individual, couple and family work
- Extensive knowledge of best practices working with different populations and concerns, including the ability to work effectively with clients of diverse backgrounds and identities
- Knowledge and experience working with addictions/substance use, mental health and vulnerable populations who are facing housing challenges, who are underhoused, and/or experiencing homelessness is an asset
- Knowledge of the unique experiences of equity deserving communities and impact on mental health and other outcomes
- Demonstrated skills in analysis of systemic issues impacting individuals and ability to work with complex issues and trauma
- Ability to manage client crisis and engage in suicide or homicide risk assessment and intervention
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment and individually with community agencies
- Superior verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with clients and other professionals
- Excellent interpersonal, organization, and time management skills
- A demonstrated willingness to adapt services to meet diverse needs
- A Valid Ontario Class 'G' Driver's License
