Addiction Counsellor

Permanent Full-Time | Monday to Friday | Edmonton, Alberta

McDougall House is a 12-bed addiction treatment facility in Edmonton, providing a supportive, home-like environment for women recovering from addiction. Our abstinence-based, gender-specific and trauma-informed program helps clients understand the dynamics underlying their addiction and develop the knowledge and skills to support lasting change. Each client's recovery plan is guided by her individual goals.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Addiction Counsellor who is passionate about supporting women in their recovery from addiction. Working collaboratively with a team of counsellors, you'll provide individual counselling, contribute to therapeutic programming and support clients in pursuing their recovery goals.

At McDougall House, you'll be part of a dedicated team delivering a distinctive program that recognizes the individual experiences, strengths and needs of the women we serve.

What You'll Do

- Provide skilled, abstinence-based addiction counselling using client-centred and trauma-informed approaches.
- Assess clients' needs, strengths and recovery goals, and develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with them.
- Provide weekly one-to-one counselling and monitor clients' progress, adjusting interventions as appropriate.
- Support clients in addressing addiction and related challenges, including co-occurring mental health concerns.
- Facilitate therapeutic groups and workshops that contribute to the program's learning and recovery objectives.
- Collaborate with fellow counsellors and other team members to support consistent, coordinated care.
- Maintain appropriate client documentation, contribute to treatment planning, and case discussions.




- Build relationships with community agencies and service providers to support continuity of care and connect clients with relevant resources.

You will manage a caseload of up to five clients, with the support of a collaborative counselling team.

What We're Offering

We know that doing this work well means taking care of yourself, too.

- Predictable schedule: Regular daytime hours, Monday to Friday, with no scheduled evening, night or weekend shifts.
- Permanent employment: A stable, full-time position.
- Manageable caseload: Up to five clients, allowing you to focus on meaningful therapeutic relationships and individualized care.
- Supportive team: Work alongside colleagues who value collaboration, shared learning and consistency in client care.
- Salary: $59,000–$80,000 annually, based on education and experience.
- Benefits: health and dental coverage, paid time off, professional development and matching RRSP.
- On-call arrangement: Counsellors share a rotating, scheduled on-call responsibility (generally every third or fourth weekend).

What We're Looking For

Education and Experience

- You have a bachelor's degree specializing in addiction counselling, social work or a related field, with at least five years of relevant addiction counselling experience; or a master's degree specializing in addiction counselling, social work or a related field, with at least two years of relevant addiction counselling experience.




- You have demonstrated experience providing individual counselling to clients recovering from addiction.

Knowledge and Skills

- You have knowledge of addiction, recovery and the issues that can affect women experiencing addiction.
- You are familiar with recovery approaches such as Twelve Step programs and SMART Recovery, including their application in supporting women in recovery.
- You can assess client needs, develop individualized treatment plans and adapt interventions to support recovery goals.
- You are able to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment and take initiative within established program guidelines.
- You have strong collaboration and communication skills and are committed to ongoing learning and supporting your colleagues.

Professional Credentials

- You are certified with the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF), registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), or hold an equivalent recognized professional credential.

Also required

- You have a valid First Aid/CPR certificate.
- You are able to provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We recognize that a job search requires considerable time and energy, and we sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in McDougall House.

Pay: $59,000.00-$80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match

Application question(s):

- Do you have over 2 years experience with one-to-one counselling?
- Are you able to be on call on weekends or evenings?

Education:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

- addiction counselling: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Addiction Counsellor - full-time (Edmonton)
🏢 The McDougall House Association
📍 Edmonton