Mental Health Counsellor

Job Status: Part time (10‑15 hours/week). Independent Contractor.

Reports to: Mental Health Lead. Location: Nisa Homes, Montreal. In Person.

Nisa Foundation is a community‑based charity that has promoted safety, security, and mental wellness for racialized women across Canada since 2014. The organization provides toll‑free peer‑to‑peer counseling services, transitional homes for women & children fleeing abuse or homelessness, and facilitates educational workshops. Its mission is to transform communities by engaging, equipping, and enriching the lives of women and children to reach their full potential.

Responsibilities

- Client Support And Development: Conduct weekly one‑on‑one peer‑to‑peer counseling sessions with residents, facilitate goal setting, address challenges, and refer to external resources as needed. Develop and lead regular mental health and wellness support groups on topics such as self‑esteem building, empowerment, self‑care strategies, depression, anxiety, and stress for women in the home.
- Training: Provide training to staff and volunteers on trauma‑informed practices, mental health resources, and other areas as required. Assign and supervise counseling volunteers to residents. Attend training provided by Nisa Foundation and external opportunities that enhance counseling skills.
- Case Management: Participate in intake assessments to evaluate eligibility and identify referrals for increased mental health care. Coordinate with caseworkers to ensure optimal service and case management for clients.
- Reporting: Summarize and organize information for discussion when a unique case arises, provide weekly updates to the House Manager on client progress,



and report to the Mental Health Lead for briefing sessions, concerns, and collective support. Maintain counseling notes, incident records, and other documentation in the CRM database according to regulations.
- Outreach: Liaise with other services, agencies, and professionals. Stay current on issues and resources related to abuse and violence, present and public‑awareness activities, and facilitate community networking by attending meetings and workshops as needed.
- Ad Hoc: Participate in additional meetings and undertake related responsibilities as reasonably assigned, including special projects, cross‑departmental initiatives, and other tasks necessary to support organizational effectiveness.

Core Competencies

- Communication Skills & Active Listening
- Positive Attitude
- Building Trust
- Emotional Intelligence
- Conflict Management Skills
- Crisis Intervention Skills
- Counseling Skills
- Assessment Skills

Qualifications

- French speaking is a must. Arabic, Urdu, Somali, Hindi, Punjabi, Dari, Pashto, or other second language skills are an asset.
- Must speak and write English proficiently.
- Clear Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Relevant degree such as Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field—especially with regard to homelessness and vulnerable women—plus a minimum of 2–3 years of experience. Other combinations of education, experience, and training may be considered.
- Able to adhere to the highest standards of ethical care and confidentiality policies and demonstrate a commitment to qualified practice and the professional code of ethics.
- Demonstrate wellness practices: identify personal stressors, seek help when needed, and manage signs of burnout.

📌 Mental Health Counsellor - NH Montreal
🏢 Nisa Helpline
📍 Montreal