JOB POSTING (INTERNAL/EXTERNAL) COUNSELLOR FULL-TIME, PERMANENT POSITION The Barbra Schlifer Clinic offers legal representation, professional counselling, court support, transitional and housing support and multilingual interpretation to women who have experienced violence. Our diverse, skilled and compassionate staff accompany women through personal and practical transformation, helping them to build lives free from violence. We are a centre by, for and about women. We amplify women s voices, and cultivate their skills and resilience. Together with our donors and volunteers, we are active in changing the conditions that threaten women s safety, dignity and equality. We envision a world where diverse women: Build lives free from violence. Work together to create a more just world. Live their own lives in respectful communities that provide meaning and belonging. We are currently seeking a Counsellor for a fulltime permanent position. The successful candidate must have experience counselling women from sixteen (16) years on, using a gender-lens in an anti-oppression, trauma-informed practice. The candidate will have a minimum of two (2) years fulltime employment delivering individual and group counselling to women who are survivors of violence. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in the following areas: adult sexual assault, sexual abuse and sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse, as well as, interpersonal violence such as but not necessarily limited to, physical, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Experience counselling women in the area of forced marriage, and human trafficking is considered an asset. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the interconnectedness of trauma, addictions and mental health. It is also necessary that the successful candidate have experience counselling racialized, marginalized and religiously marginalized women including non-english speaking and newcomer women. International professional experience with trauma in conflict zones is an asset. Posted: December 21, 2015 Page 1 of 5
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Counselling Provides trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, feminist, psychotherapeutic counselling. Counsels clients, provides individual therapy and facilitates group sessions. Uses trauma-informed interventions to assists individual women as well as groups of women to identify, understand and overcome the effects of trauma and violence in order to achieve personal objectives. Develops and implements counselling programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them. Interviews clients, prepares case histories and assesses presenting issues. Liaises with community agencies or partners, and identifies additional or alternative services and provides referrals. Evaluates the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions and client progress in resolving identified problems and movement toward objectives. Assessment and Referral Supports Director of Counselling in crafting psychosocial assessments based on observations, counselling notes, history of abuse, family of origin, and social location as well as post-traumatic stress responses, social determinants of health and other information. Conducts research to identify services for referral and makes referrals. Advocates on behalf of clients and provides in person accompaniment to a variety of meetings such as, court appearances and immigration and social service meetings. Provides therapeutic support to new clients while assessing with them the resources and support they need. Assessment is ongoing. Consults with Director of Counselling to draft letters regarding immigration, social services and criminal injuries. Community Engagement Work off site assisting women with complex needs and from underserved communities who are experiencing violence or its aftermath. Support and advocate for women in establishing a sense of community and belonging in which they experience less isolation, more stability, and expanded personal agency within relationships. Support women in interacting with numerous systems that maintain, and promote mental health. Connect women to available support systems that help them successfully navigate context and challenges over time. Assist women in accessing resources that improve social context and economic circumstances that shape environment. Posted: December 21, 2015 Page 2 of 5
Facilitate clients in joining with other women in bringing about change. Improve women s knowledge of and access to rights and remedies. Engage with stakeholders from a framework embedded within an understanding of the global nature of gender based violence. Partner with underserved communities in providing community trainings and capacity building. Agency and Team Support Conducts research and creates and facilitates workshops on violence against women, which includes providing case consultation to other service providers about client needs. Communicates with team members to share information, provide debriefing opportunities and resolve problems. Participates on agency committees and contributes to events which include participating in clinical meetings and staff meetings. Coordination Plans for group sessions and coordinates room and food preparation for group sessions. Coordinates childcare and interpretation services for clients. Administration In consultation with Director of Counselling, prepares support letters to advise other agencies and institutions that women meet the mandate of the Clinic and are receiving support. Maintains case notes. Completes and submits monthly timesheets and other reports as required. Other Complies with Clinic and funder policies and procedures. Performs other tasks as assigned by management. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Must have MSW, M.Ed. C. Psych. or equivalent degree and/or experience with a minimum of two (2) years fulltime employment experience delivering individual and group counselling to women (16 years and up). Must have a minimum of two (2) years fulltime employment delivering individual and group counselling to women who are survivors of violence. Must have experience counselling women sixteen (16) years old and up using a gender-lens grounded within a feminist, anti-oppressive trauma-informed practice. Must have experience counselling racialized, marginalized and religiously marginalized women including non-english speaking and newcomer women. Must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the issues and dynamics related to the provision of counselling services for women who have experienced Posted: December 21, 2015 Page 3 of 5
violence consistent with a gender-lens grounded within a feminist, anti-oppressive trauma-informed practice. Must have expertise in the following: adult sexual assault, sexual abuse and sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse, as well as, interpersonal violence such as but not necessarily limited to, physical, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Must have an understanding of the interconnectedness of trauma, addictions and mental health. Experience counselling women in the area of forced marriage, and human trafficking. An understanding of the symptoms and effects of trauma. Must have a minimum of two (2) years fulltime employment experience facilitating open and closed groups, with a trauma-informed psycho-educational focus on effective interventions to address symptoms, affects and coping strategies consistent with trauma that is not pathologized. Must have membership in the appropriate regulatory body e.g. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, etc. Must demonstrate a comprehensive and applied knowledge of transference & countertransference, self-reflective and reflexive practices, and mindfulness. Must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the key elements of clinical supervision. Must have assessment skills, knowledge of social service and social welfare systems. Experience with intake is an asset. International professional experience with trauma in conflict zones is an asset. Experience working within a diverse work setting and with a diverse staff and volunteer population. Intermediate computer skills. Excellent administrative skills and letter writing skills. Demonstrate commitment to team work and team building; Strong clinical skills are a must-have with this position; Excellent communication and conflict management skills; and, Fluency in a second language would be considered a tremendous asset. CORE COMPETENCIES INCLUDE: Commitment to working collaboratively with and supporting women of diversity within the context of a diverse agency; Engagement in a self-reflective, ethical & collaborative practice that is nonjudgmental and empathic and reflects the vision and mission statements of the Clinic; Incorporation of principles of diversity and equity in responding to the service needs of women; Commitment to working toward removing systemic barriers to women s independence and wellbeing; Posted: December 21, 2015 Page 4 of 5
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time-management and problem-solving skills; written and oral communication skills; Ability to work and support others in the context of a diverse environment; Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment; Be a self-starter, creative and highly motivated; Share ideas and differences in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation; and, Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development SALARY: $55,085 per annum. This position includes a comprehensive benefits package offered through a group plan as part of our United Way membership. The Barbra Schlifer Clinic promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women of all races, colours, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations. We thank all candidates for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. DEADLINE FOR RESUMES: Wednesday January 6, 2016 at 5pm. To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume: By email in ONE attachment, as a PDF or Word Doc to: s.afriat@schliferclinic.com Subject Title: Counsellor (Permanent) Hiring Committee By fax to: (416) 323-9107 Attn: Counsellor (Permanent) Hiring Committee c/o Sophie Afriat Or by mail to: Attn: Counsellor (Permanent) Hiring Committee c/o Sophie Afriat, Barbra Schlifer Clinic 489 College St. Suite 503, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5 In your cover letter, please indicate where you found our job posting. No phone calls please. Posted: December 21, 2015 Page 5 of 5