Friends of Ruby·Toronto, Ontario
The Clinical Counsellor provides evidence-based, trauma-informed mental health support, individual counselling, and crisis intervention to 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth. They also facilitate therapeutic groups, develop safety plans, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care.
Open Until Filled Friends of Ruby supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29 through mental health services, social programs, and housing. We operate a Youth Centre and a Transitional Home, offering identity-based barrier-free counselling, case management, housing supports, drop-in and community programming in affirming and integrated way. Our work is rooted in intersectional, anti-oppressive, and decolonized approaches, and we are committed to treating everyone with dignity, respect, and inclusion. The Clinical Counsellor provides evidence-based, trauma-informed mental health support, individual counselling sessions, and crisis intervention to 2SLGBTQIA+ and intersectional BIPOC youth. Working within a multidisciplinary team, this role facilitates therapeutic groups and develops safety plans and connects youth to internal and external resources to promote resilience.
As the Clinical Counsellor, you will be responsible for: Provide single-session and short-term clinical counselling using evidence-based modalities (e.g., MBCT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, DID, Trauma-informed, Brief Solution Focused Therapy) to support youth mental health. Deliver immediate crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, de-escalation, and emergency coordination, to ensure youth safety and stabilize high-risk situations effectively. Plan and facilitate therapeutic groups (e.g. DBT skills), mindfulness, and psychoeducation programs to build peer support, teach practical skills, and enhance youth well-being in a structured setting. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to coordinate referrals and care, and ensure a seamless network of support that meets the comprehensive needs of youth. Complete and maintain timely, accurate clinical records including intake assessments, progress notes, incident reports, to support continuity of care, and meet professional and organizational standards. Participate in clinical supervision, team meetings, organizational events and activities to contribute to team learning, uphold service quality, and respond to evolving operational and crisis needs. Your Competencies People-Focused: Aligns functional practices to staff and participant outcomes.
Builds functional and cross-departmental trust and resolves friction constructively.
Holds high work and management standards, leading activities, team, budget, and compliance with accountability and transparency.
Growth &
Learning: Incorporates evidence, evaluation, and improvement cycles into activities; owns and addresses mistakes; demonstrates openness to continuous learning.
Respectful &
Affirming: Embeds IDEA, trauma-informed, harm-reduction standards, and staff care into operations; addresses systemic inequities across teams and develops diverse talent. Required Credentials Master's degree in social work, psychology, counselling, or a related field is required. Membership in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) (RSW or RP), or another recognized counselling regulatory college. Post-licensure clinical experience providing counselling to 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth, including related practicum, internship, or community-based work. Training and/or experience with evidence-based modalities (MBCT, CBT, DBT, ACT, MBSR, Trauma-informed Counselling); dissociative identity disorder (DID) is preferred. Strong clinical documentation skills and ability to maintain accurate, audit-ready records. Commitment to trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and harm-reduction approaches.
Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work has a lasting impact on the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Join a welcoming, inclusive environment where your ideas are valued, and your contributions are recognized and celebrated.
We offer a space where everyone can be their authentic selves at work.
We invest in your professional development with meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and advancement.
Engage in work that is challenging, meaningful, and aligned with your values.
What We Need Must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
Must provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check.
Must reside in Ontario.
Must be willing to work onsite in downtown Toronto on a hybrid schedule.
Must have flexibility to work evenings and weekends occasionally as required.
Travel to various community-based settings as needed Important Note If you have accessed Friends of Ruby services in the past year, please refrain from applying to ensure objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest.
We appreciate your understanding.
Please submit applications through the job posting link. Due to high volume, only selected candidates will be contacted. No phone inquiries, please. AI will not be used in screening or selection; it may be used for notetaking during interviews. Friends of Ruby is committed to an inclusive hiring process. Accommodations are available upon request—please contact our Culture & Equity team. Preference will be given to members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as part of our commitment to equity and representation. We can't wait to hear from you!
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in social work, psychology, or counselling and maintain active membership with the OCSWSSW or CRPO. Post-licensure clinical experience with 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth, along with proficiency in evidence-based modalities, is required.
Market context
In Ontario, behavioral-health roles are typically driven by ongoing need in community, outpatient, and support settings serving people with mental health or substance use challenges. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for experience with diverse populations plus a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor’s in social work or a related field preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show relevant client-facing experience and readiness to work with varied needs.
