Counsellor at Athena's Counselling and Advocacy Centre

Counsellor at Athena's Counselling and Advocacy Centre Job Summary

Integrating an intersectional feminist framework and a harm reduction philosophy, the Counsellor is responsible for providing trauma-informed counselling services to women who have experienced gender-based violence. Services may be delivered in person, virtually, or by telephone, as mutually determined by the woman and the counsellor.

SERVICE DELIVERY

• Provide individual supportive counselling to strengthen women's understanding of the impacts of gender-based violence
• Support women in contextualizing their experiences through a trauma-informed approach
• Engage in therapeutic modalities that promote healing, insight, self-awareness, and resilience
• Provide counselling through a feminist empowerment model using evidence-based practices
• Establish a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental counselling environment
• Assist women in developing personal goals, safety plans, and action plans
• Collaboratively identify service needs
• Provide referrals and assist women in accessing community resources
• Facilitate therapeutic and educational groups as assigned
• Support women in developing self-advocacy skills and strategies
• Respond to crisis situations and provide short-term crisis intervention where required
• Provide ongoing counselling to support recovery from violence and trauma.
• Be available to engage people at the door and on the phone and to attend to office tasks

COMMUNITY LIAISON AND ADVOCACY

• Assist women in making connections with community resources including housing, medical, social assistance, basic needs resources and legal systems
• Promote women's rights, empowerment, and safety through education and advocacy
• Remain committed to initiatives that support the prevention and eradication of GBV
• Build collaborative relationships with community partners and service providers

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

• Maintain accurate and timely statistics as per agency policies and procedures
• Ensure client information is accurately entered into agency databases and reporting systems.
• Participate in program planning, evaluation, and quality improvement by collecting information through survey distribution, feedback forms, etc. and identifying trends
• Make recommendations regarding service improvements to program supervisor
• Research resource materials to support the work and the needs of the participants

Participate in ongoing professional development, including approved workshops and trainings

TEAM AND AGENCY PARTICIPATION

• Actively participate in staff and agency meetings
• Collaborate with management, staff and community partners to enhance service delivery
• Promote a healthy, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture
• Participate in supervision, applicable training, and professional development opportunities
• Practice open, direct, respectful, and professional communication
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Adhere to all policies, procedures, regulations, and standards of Huronia Transition Homes

Education

• A relevant post-secondary degree/diploma (BSW/MSW preferred) and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience
• Minimum 3-5 years of counselling experience working with survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and/or gender-based violence
• Current First Aid/CPR Certification
• WHMIS Certification

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of the issues & complexities of violence against women
• Strong understanding of intersectional feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and harm reduction frameworks
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and evidence-based counselling approaches
• Ability to work with women experiencing mental health and substance use issues
• Strong counselling and assessment skills
• Group facilitation and program delivery…