Mental Health & Addictions Counsellor - 020-2026

About the Role

The Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor will provide quality, client focused, recovery based, and culturally appropriate counselling services and support for community members, families and groups within the Fort McKay community. The Counsellor will provide intake, assessments, treatment plans, case management, crisis intervention, education and referral services for clients and their families. The work performed is specialized and involves applying psychological knowledge and theories to a variety of situations. Often the work is performed in multi-disciplinary teams to develop and implement care or treatment or behaviour support plans. Counsellors require active registration with the applicable Alberta regulatory college or professional association. This position is a one-year leave replacement.

• KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Work with at risk populations including those with complex needs, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders; by providing addictions, life skills and trauma counselling.
• Utilize a variety of psychosocial interventions and treatment modalities (individual, family, group) to children and adolescents experiencing significant mental health difficulties.
• Complete intakes, assessments and make decisions around treatment goals with the client.
• Review, evaluate, and document client progress and make changes to treatment plan, as necessary.
• Provide pre-care and after-care planning and support for clients attending Addictions treatment.
• Identify and develop safety plans for high-risk clients, manage and support clients to receive emergency services if necessary.
• Establish care plans, goal setting and identify needs as they pertain to holistic wellness.
• Work as a part of an interdisciplinary team of professionals to case manage, discuss appropriate therapeutic strategies and share information as required.
• Provide one on one counselling and run groups that support enhanced person-centered wellness, inclusive of sober living, relapse prevention, living skills, and other supportive measures.
• Work with other members of the Mental Health and Addictions team in offering services and support for clients.
• Work with Elders to support the cultural and spiritual needs of the clients, as well as seek out and encourage cultural activities that will support sobriety and overall wellness.
• Build relationships with services in the Wood Buffalo region to assist clients with additional services.