Job Posting

Short-Term Counsellor

Maternity Leave, One-Year Full-Time Contract

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling, and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centered approach, we foster the skills and resilience of the people we serve and amplify their voices to create individual and collective change.

The Clinic is currently seeking a Short-Term Counsellor who will provide counselling, safety planning and group facilitation for clients who have experienced gender-based violence. The Short-Term Counsellor will offer brief and targeted counseling services to individuals dealing with specific issues or challenges. Rather than engaging in long-term therapy, the Counsellor will provide immediate support, practical guidance, and coping strategies to address the client's concerns.

This Short-Term counseling is solution-focused and aims to help clients achieve tangible goals within a limited timeframe. The counselor will work collaboratively with clients to identify and implement strategies for positive change, offering support for a short period to address their specific needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All duties and responsibilities will be carried out in accordance with Barbra Schlifer Clinic's Mandate, Mission and Values Statements.

SHORT-TERM COUNSELLING ·

- Provide short-term counselling (6–12 sessions) using trauma-informed and solution-focused approaches.
- Support Intake and the Counselling Department with safety planning and crisis situations, prioritizing responses based on client safety and urgency.
- Conduct risk assessments, develop safety plans, and provide timely interventions and support for clients in immediate need.
- Provide trauma informed counselling, de-escalation, and grounding techniques to help clients regulate emotions and understand trauma.
- Provide information, referrals, and advocacy for clients whose needs fall outside the Clinic’s mandate or cannot be accommodated within its programs.
- Facilitate/co-facilitate trauma informed counselling groups.
- Alert appropriate management to emergency client situations and consult with the Director of Counselling Services or designate on complex or high-risk cases.




- Deliver relevant presentations to external agencies in collaboration with the counselling management.
- Build and maintain relevant external partnerships to support clients’ needs.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management.

COORDINATION

- Plan counselling group sessions and coordinate room bookings, refreshments, and group materials.
- Coordinate childcare and interpretation services for clients as needed.
- Engage in team consultations and high-risk case coordination within multidisciplinary circles of care.

AGENCY AND TEAM SUPPORT

- Share critical information with team members and collaborate across departments, including THSP, Legal, and Interpretation, to address issues and coordinate services effectively.
- Participate in clinical and staff meetings, committees, and events to support team and agency initiatives.
- Distribute client feedback forms to evaluate services, inform funder reporting, and guide future programing.
- Apply appropriate counselling modalities and frameworks in service delivery.
- Represent the Clinic at committees and events to promote its services and share information.
- Apply anti-oppressive principles when working with clients and colleagues.
- Complies with Clinic and funder policies and procedures

ADMINISTRATION

- Document client notes and statistics in the EMHware client management system.
- Prepare client service confirmation letters in consultation with the Director of Counselling Services or Program Manager.
- Complete and submit monthly timesheets and other required reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Degree or diploma in a counselling-related field (e.g., BSW, SSW, or MSW).
- Minimum of two years of experience in the following areas:
- Conducting risk assessments and safety planning for clients.
- Facilitating open and/or closed groups for survivors of gender-based violence using a trauma-informed approach, including assessing program suitability and individual and group readiness.
- Supporting clients who have experienced complex trauma.
- Providing counselling to racialized and marginalized clients.




- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the issues and dynamics affecting survivors of violence, grounded in trauma-informed, feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive frameworks and approaches.
- Demonstrate robust record-keeping skills; experience with EMHware is an asset.
- Demonstrate strong communication and active listening skills.
- Fluency a second language is considered an asset.

CORE COMPETENCIES

- Commitment to work collaboratively with and supporting clients from diverse backgrounds within a diverse agency.
- Engagement in self-reflective, ethical, and collaborative practice that is non-judgmental and empathetic, reflecting the vision and mission statements of the Clinic.
- Incorporation of the principles of diversity and equity in responding to clients’ service needs.
- Commitment to removing systemic barriers to clients’ independence and well-being.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time-management, problem-solving, written, and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multidisciplinary environment.
- Ability to be a self-starter, creative, and highly motivated.
- Ability to share ideas and differences in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation.
- Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.

SALARY: $59,060 and includes a comprehensive benefits package offered through a group plan as part of our United Way membership, following a successful probationary period DEADLINE FOR RESUMES: November 23, 2026 (posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is engaged)

APPLICATION: Submit your cover letter and resume in attachment to: [email protected] with the subject line of . In your cover letter, please indicate where you found our job posting.

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes candidates from equity-seeking groups and is committed to providing accommodation for people with accessibility needs. Please let us know if you require accommodation due to an accessibility need during any aspect of the recruitment process, and we will work with you to address your needs.

We thank all candidates for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: $59,060.00 per year

Benefits

- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Vision care

Work Location: In person

📌 Short-Term Counsellor (Toronto)
🏢 Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
📍 Toronto