#798 Clinical Mental Health Counsellor

Union job posting #798

Position Title

Clinical Mental Health Counsellor

Vacancies: 4

Workgroup

Same Day Counselling

Posting Date

June 11 - 17, 2026

Status

Relief

Start Date

Immediately

Hours: No guaranteed hours; hours vary

Salary Range

$29.35 - $36.69 per hour

About CMHA Niagara

CMHA, Niagara is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to promoting mental wellness and to improving the lives of people in its service area who have mental illness as well as their families. CMHA Niagara achieves its mission through a number of programs and services.

CMHA, Niagara is committed to a recovery philosophy which focuses on the potential for people with mental illness to lead full, productive and engaged lives in their communities. The Branch works in partnership with many others who share in the commitment to supporting the broad determinants of health.

Position Summary

The Clinical Mental Health Counsellor will support same-day counselling by offering psycho-social assessments, brief crisis counselling and treatment, and community connections to services for individuals presenting with mental health and addiction concerns. The intent is to ensure client safety, to encourage empowerment, and provide crisis resolution and prevention, within a recovery framework which integrates the client into their community with supports.

• Essential Job Functions
• Respond to individuals in non-medical crisis situations in person, over the phone or OTN or in the community; clients may be self-referred or referred by other community organizations (i.e. ACCESS Line, NHS Emergency Department/PERT, COAST, Urgent Care, Safe Beds, family physicians etc.);
• Complete psycho-social and safety assessments on individuals accessing program services;
• Working knowledge of components of Mental Status Exam required;
• Identify areas of need and respond by developing or reviewing a care plan, which may include providing short term crisis counseling and treatment, case management, connection with appropriate community services, and follow-up;
• Provide clinical intervention with a sound knowledge of: crisis intervention, recovery-based practice, severe and persistent mental illness and substance use issues, clinical therapeutic interventions, community resources and services, and safety assessment tools;
• Conduct cross service/sector linkages and act as a liaison by consulting with family members and other professionals, in direct collaboration and with the consent of the individual being served;
• Foster and promote positive change and independence in those individuals served by the program;
• Promote good public relations and healthy community partnerships and alliances;
• Ensure accurate and timely reports, data entry and documentation in relevant systems (i.e. CRMS).

• Essential Job Requirements
• Successful completion of a graduate university and or undergraduate degree program in the human service field or accredited community college diploma in the human service field
• 3-5 years of employment experience in the mental health field
• Certification or registration in a regulatory body in good standing and adheres to all standards of practice as per the College is preferred (or the ability to obtain this within 6 months of hire)
• Certified in the following safety courses: Crisis Intervention (i.e. NVCI, Safety Care, CPI or Safe Management), Standard First Aid - CPR C – AED, Suicide Prevention (ASIST)
• Sound Clinical skills in Counseling Therapeutic Technique, including brief solution, cognitive behavior therapy, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Mental Status Exam, Safety Risk assessments
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g. the Mental Health Act)
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving solving and teaching skills
• Strong interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
• Sound judgment, good observation and client assessment skills, tact and empathy
• Maintain a commitment to continued professional development as required by the employer
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications required for electronic documentation
• Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle
• Current valid class ‘G’ driver’s license
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check)
• Actual life experience and/or lived experience with mental illness or addictions an asset
• Bilingualism, particularly proficiency in French, would be considered a valuable asset

CMHA Niagara is a culturally competent organization and is committed to building an inclusive community that respects the dignity and independence of candidates with multicultural and diverse backgrounds, multilingual abilities, and experience with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Candidates with this background would be considered an asset.

CMHA Niagara is committed to providing accommodation for persons with disabilities. Please see the AODA section of our website at www.cmhaniagara.ca for further details or contact our Human Resources department for any information in an alternate format.

If you are interested in applying for this position, it is your responsibility to ensure your application is received by Human Resources no later than 4:00 p.m. on June 17, 2026.

Our Mission

Our purpose is to strengthen mental wellness in the Niagara community.

Our Vision

A Niagara where mental health is recognized, supported and optimized.

Our Values

Our core values will be embedded in everything we do. They will guide and define how we work with each other, our partners, and our clients and their supports, to enhance access to mental health and addictions supports in Niagara: adaptive, collaboration, ethics and integrity, people-centred, safety and belonging, social justice.