Counsellor, Crisis Centre Direct Service – (OPSEU)

Part-Time, Contract (up to 6 months)

London, Ontario (London Zone)

Application Deadline: July 8, 2025

Crisis Center Staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. The Crisis Center Staff will also work collaboratively with individuals to assess and identify their needs and link them to appropriate supports in the community.

Depending on the program, supports may be provided in-person, via telephone or virtually; Crisis Services programs support individuals on a walk-in basis at the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Centre; in the community, via mobile response; via phone, text and web chat, and through intensive, short-term stabilization supports.

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed within the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, interested applicants who are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

WHAT WE’RE OFFERING

What you’ll be doing –

Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):

Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated skilled colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation

Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated)

For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement

When you’ll work –

14 hours bi-weekly; rotating shifts to include days, afternoons, evenings & weekends

What your benefits will be –

9% in lieu of benefits

Your pension plan –

Immediately eligible for optional enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

HOW YOU WILLBE MAKINGA DIFFERENCE: Direct Service:

Complete mental health and addiction assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response to identify:

the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning,





risk factors related to safety of client and others opportunities for de-escalation and stabilization

Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement with the individual

Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed

Coordinate and facilitate referrals to internal and external services and supports

Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation

Engage emergency services when it is determined that additional intervention is required

Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.)

Obtain information, as needed, from other relevant sources

Interact and provide support and assessment in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g. culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs and values).

Support the individual in developing skills for self-advocacy to learn new behaviours and develop coping skills fostering healthy interdependence through limit setting.

Provide health teaching and information regarding coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being.

24/7 Reach Out Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Line responsibilities:

All Crisis Services Staff are to provide support to individuals through Reach Out.

Provide crisis intervention services and supports on Reach Out via phone, text and web chat.

Respond to voicemails from Reach Out.

Establish a therapeutic relationship with individuals accessing Reach Out, and work with individuals to address their immediate concerns.

Crisis Intervention

Provide short-term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist individuals in gaining insight and improving coping skills within the framework of the crisis model.

Perform in a calm,



competent and efficient manner in an emergency situation acknowledging the individual’s need for privacy and dignity.

Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors.

Crisis Follow-up:

Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate

Assist the individual to identify and connect with personal/natural supports

Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check

We require the following qualifications:

Post-secondary education in a relevant field of study e.g. social work, psychology, or a related discipline

Valid drivers licence and access to a vehicle with adequate insurance to carry out job duties

Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)

Ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

Minimum of 3-5 years' experience working in mental health

Minimum of 2 years' experience in mental health crisis intervention

Experience with, and detailed knowledge of, mild, moderate & serious mental illnesses, usually gained by several years of working with this population

Experience working in a community-based setting; preferably with an established network of service & support resources

Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST

First-Aid, CPR & WHMIS

Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Legal Notifications

For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services

Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities.

If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process.

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