Provide direct therapeutic support, counselling, and case management to individuals in a residential recovery program for substance use and mental health. Deliver structured treatment curricula and support residents with daily living activities and community reintegration.
Requirements summary
Requires a diploma or bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a related field with at least three years of experience in addictions or mental health services. Must hold current CPR and First Aid certification and possess strong crisis intervention skills.
The Residential Treatment and Recovery Counsellor provides direct therapeutic support, counselling, case management, and recovery-focused services to individuals participating in Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre’s Residential Treatment and Recovery Program. Working as part of a multidisciplinary and interprofessional team, the Counsellor supports residents experiencing substance use disorders, mental health challenges, trauma, and complex social needs through evidence-informed, person-centred care that promotes recovery, dignity, inclusion, and equitable access to services.
The role delivers trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and anti-oppressive care within a 24/7 abstinence-based Residential Treatment and Recovery Facility. Guided by principles of health equity, social justice, and recovery-oriented practice, the Counsellor assists residents in achieving their treatment goals, strengthening overall wellness, developing life skills, and building sustainable pathways toward long-term recovery and community reintegration.
The Counsellor plays a key role in delivering the program's structured treatment curriculum and daily recovery programming, ensuring residents participate in therapeutic, educational, wellness, and life skills activities designed to support recovery and personal growth. The position supports residents with activities of daily living, structured daily routines, community integration, appointment accompaniment, wellness programming, and transition planning.
Working within an anti-racism, anti-oppression, and culturally safe framework, the Counsellor recognizes the diverse lived experiences of individuals impacted by substance use, mental health concerns, poverty, homelessness, trauma, and other systemic barriers. Through collaborative care planning, crisis intervention, strengths-based counselling, and advocacy, the Counsellor contributes to a safe, respectful, therapeutic, and recovery-focused environment that empowers residents throughout their treatment journey.
Accountability
The Residential Treatment Counsellor reports to the Substance Use Health Manager, with overall accountability to the Executive Director.
Benefits
Employee assistance program
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Vision care
Paid time off
Dental care
Extended health care
On-site parking
Company events
Company pension
Key Responsibilities
Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and participate in resident intake and orientation processes as well as discharge processes.
Develop, implement, monitor, and regularly review individualized treatment and recovery plans in collaboration with residents and the interdisciplinary team.
Provide individual counselling utilizing evidence-informed therapeutic approaches, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Relapse Prevention, and Recovery-Oriented Practice.
Support residents in identifying treatment goals, recovery objectives, strengths, barriers, and personal aspirations.
Collaborate with nurses and program staff to monitor resident participation and progress.
Accompany residents to medical appointments or healthcare-related visits when clinically appropriate.
Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with organizational, professional, and legislative standards.
Participate in case conferences, treatment reviews, and interdisciplinary care planning meetings.
Deliver and support the Residential Treatment and Recovery Program's structured treatment curriculum and therapeutic programming.
Facilitate individual and group-based treatment interventions aligned with the program's recovery model.
Support residents through all phases of treatment, recovery planning, and community reintegration.
Monitor resident participation, engagement, and progress within the treatment program.
Provide ongoing encouragement, coaching, and accountability to support achievement of treatment goals.
Assist in evaluating treatment outcomes and identifying opportunities for program improvement.
Promote active resident participation in all treatment and recovery programming.
Foster a supportive therapeutic environment that encourages peer support and personal growth.
Support residents in establishing and maintaining healthy daily routines and structured schedules.
Support residents with activities of daily living, including laundry, meal preparation, housekeeping, organization, and time management.
Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and supportive counselling to residents experiencing emotional distress, mental health crises, behavioural challenges, or recovery setbacks.
Respond appropriately to resident concerns, conflicts, and crisis situations while maintaining safety and therapeutic rapport.
Identify and address risks related to relapse, self-harm, mental health deterioration, or other safety concerns.
Collaborate with nursing staff, physicians, and other providers, and partners to support resident stabilization and well-being.
Participate in incident reporting and follow-up processes as required.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in accordance with professional, organizational, and legislative requirements.
Complete case notes, assessments, treatment plans, incident reports, and program documentation.
Support the continuous evaluation and improvement of residential treatment programming.
Participate in staff meetings, case conferences, clinical supervision, and interdisciplinary care planning.
Contribute to program development, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
Support organizational activities and community engagement initiatives as required.
Act as shift lead as required.
Carry out other duties as assigned.
Performance Targets
TBD
Qualifications
Diploma or bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Counselling, Human Services, Social Sciences, Addictions and Mental Health, or a related field.
Registration with a relevant professional regulatory body is considered a strong asset.
Minimum three (3) years of experience providing counselling, addictions treatment, mental health services, residential treatment services, or case management support.
Experience working within addictions, mental health, homelessness, supportive housing, residential treatment, community health, or recovery-focused environments preferred.
Knowledge of substance use treatment, abstinence-based recovery models, relapse prevention, trauma-informed care, and mental health interventions.
Demonstrated experience facilitating individual and group counselling.
Strong crisis intervention, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and case management skills.
Understanding of health equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression, harm reduction, and culturally safe practices.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, documentation, organizational, and facilitation skills.
Proficiency in electronic medical records and Microsoft Office applications.
Current CPR and First Aid certification required.
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, or equivalent training considered an asset.
Valid Ontario Driver's License and access to reliable transportation considered an asset.
Fluency in French is considered an asset.
Working Conditions
Work is based primarily on-site at the residential treatment and recovery facility.
Flexible scheduling is required, including evenings, overnights weekends, and participation in an on-call rotation.
Exposure to crisis situations and clients with complex health, social, and behavioral needs in a residential setting.
Benefits
Company events
Company pension
Dental care
Disability insurance
Extended health care
Life insurance
On-site parking
Paid time off
Vision care
Employee assistance program
Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment.
While we appreciate every application only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
