Shelter Trauma Counselor

Full Time | Contract (Contract January 26, 2026-January 5, 2027) | 37.5 hours

The Shelter Trauma Counselor uses a feminist based, trauma-informed, anti-racist/anti-oppression and harm reduction lens in all aspects of intake and assessment, goal planning, case management and group programming including offering short-term counseling for residents of our emergency antiviolence against women shelter. This includes one to one counselling, advocacy, referrals and support to residents. The schedule varies and includes day, afternoon, evening, weekday and weekend shifts.

The Shelter Trauma Counselor also participates on relevant committees and advocacy groups and attends and facilitates relevant workshops.

Trauma-Informed Intake and Assessment

• Conduct intake procedures, inform residents of WHE services and programs
• Perform risk audit to assist residents to identify areas of risk and develop a documented safety plan
• Support new residents to complete the intake assessments to assess their basic needs and how sustainable their lives are in the areas of physical, personal, social, human and financial domains
• Conduct housing readiness assessment and determine supports needed
• Provide crisis counselling and support to residents who have experienced trauma
• Answer 24/7 crisis line and provide trauma-informed crisis counselling and support by phone.
• Assess crisis calls to determine if the individual seeking shelter meets our mandate

Referrals and Systems Navigation

• Provide support regarding systems navigation to residents to access needed and critical resources such as education, childcare, healthcare, child tax, child protection, etc.
• Arrange and work with cultural interpreters as appropriate.
• Assist residents to develop awareness of internal/external referral options including researching, locating and utilizing community resources as appropriate
• Collaborate with colleagues to refer clients to other counselors, support workers or other organizations as additional needs are identified (e.g. parenting support, employment, ongoing counseling, housing, immigration, etc.)

Monitoring and Follow-Up

• Group Programming
• Develop Logic Models and other assessment tools to design group programming
• Facilitate workshops and one on one sessions to educate on topics including, but not limited to: movie nights, systems navigation building skills, cycle of abuse, impact of trauma, learn and share strategies, coping strategies, life skills, digital literacy, healthy relationships, building self-advocacy, harm-reduction, awareness of rights/options/choices, accessing services, developing a road map to a sustainable livelihood and independence, etc.
• Organize other special groups/events (e.g. Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, Pride Month, self-esteem, etc.) that are of interest to resident population or based on feedback identified by residents

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Act as an advocate if necessary/appropriate, including accompanying residents to service appointments such as family court, social assistance offices, etc.
• Act as a resource for groups and individuals from the community requesting information or assistance in the area of gender-based violence
• Participate in speaking engagements on the topic of gender-based violence and the services provided by WHE
• Represent WHE in the community on task forces and on working groups, as assigned by the Manager, the Executive Director or designate
• Liaise with colleagues in other Shelters to refer residents
• Liaise and maintain positive working relationships with service providers, other shelters, mental health agencies, other community agencies, etc.
• Represent WHE in all communications with residents, other community services and the general public that…