CMHA·Ontario
The Addictions Counsellor provides individual and group counselling, performs client assessments, and develops goal-oriented care plans for individuals with substance use issues. They also offer crisis intervention, withdrawal support, and education to clients and their families regarding recovery and harm reduction.
Why work for CMHA York Region?
We deliver quality mental health and addictions services that promote recovery and health, and end stigma.
https://cmha-yr.on.ca/careers/ [https://cmha-yr.on.ca/careers/]
We are looking for an Addictions Counsellor in our Substance Treatment, Recovery, and Empowerment for Addiction Management (STREAM) Program!
Position: Permanent, Full-time, 35 Hours per Week, Evening Hours and Weekends may be required
$56,444-68,429 per annum. *Candidate experience will be considered when determining the starting salary.
Reason for Posting: An existing vacancy
Closing Date: August 28, 2026
The Addictions Counsellor will work predominantly in the community, directly with clients. The Addictions Counsellor will work from the Vaughan Office located at 8271 Keele St, Concord ON L4K 1Z1 on the days of on-site work and will be required to travel within York Region & South Simcoe for client meetings and staff training or other meetings. We have flexibility in approving the Addiction Counsellor's home office to one of our York Region locations dependent to their home address.
Substance Treatment, Recovery, and Empowerment for Addiction Management (STREAM) program aims to reduce the harm associated with substance use.
The program provides support to individuals using substances to make changes to their substance use, including voluntary withdrawal from alcohol and/ or other substances.
The STREAM Program offers individuals an alternative to residential withdrawal management (or detox) for individuals who can safely withdraw in a supportive home environment or another supportive community environment.
Care may be provided with or without drug therapy or other medical interventions.
Individuals will also be supported to receive early recovery education as well as discharge and crisis support plans.
The program, including a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and an Addictions Counsellor, will provide best practice assessment, treatment, navigation and support to individuals and families with concurrent disorders. The Addictions Counsellor will work in collaboration with clients and their families to provide assessment of substance use issues and appropriate client-centered intervention services.
The Addictions Counsellor will provide individual and group counselling, and education using best practices. The Addictions Counsellor will also work with individuals to provide support around monitoring of withdrawal symptoms and crisis intervention support.
The Addictions Counsellor will additionally provide support and education around harm reduction, relapse prevention and self-care coping strategies. They will also provide family support and education to families supporting loved ones moving through the withdrawal process.
In addition to compliance with all organizational policies and procedures, the incumbent is also expected to behave ethically, demonstrate competence in effective communication and team building, demonstrate effectiveness in working in a collaborative environment, and demonstrate confidence in decision-making and in building relationships.
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to the job. This information is not constructed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the job.
This position reports to and is supervised by the Manager, People & Teams, Substance Treatment, Recovery, and Empowerment for Addiction Management.
Working Conditions: Office work, community settings, meetings in clients’ home and travel with clients
In keeping with mental health reform, best practices, funding, and direction this position may later require knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions not noted here.
To request this posting in an alternate format or to request accommodation in the application process, email AODA@cmha-yr.on.ca [AODA@cmha-yr.on.ca]
If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit https://cmha-yr.on.ca/careers/ and search for Addictions Counsellor Job Posting, Click on the “Apply Now” button and proceed to upload your cover letter and resume.
While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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.