Child & Youth Counsellor

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) offers challenging and exciting careers in health and social services delivery and administration in Canada’s North. The Territorial Authority has service locations in communities across the territory and a staff of more than 1,600 serving over 43,000 residents of the NWT and 5,900 residents of the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. Challenging work, welcoming communities, and expanded opportunities are some of the benefits offered to employees of the NTHSSA.

Located in Norman Wells, the Child and Youth Counsellor (CYC) reports to the Regional Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health and Addiction Services (Sahtu).

The CYC position is part of a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to the delivery of direct therapeutic services to support the needs of children, youth and their families. The CYC is a member of the community counselling team and provides integrated and therapeutic mental health and behavioural programming in collaboration with school personnel and other health and mental health and social services professionals. The CYC provides a wide range of services with an emphasis on developing therapeutic relationships with children, youth and their families. During the school year, the CYC will be based primarily in the school, but, in order to align with the needs of children and youth, other locations may include the Community Counselling Program office, client family home or other appropriate community locations. As part of an interdisciplinary team approach, other services targeted to assist children and youth include: community development, consultation, coordination, education and integrated services management.

This position ensures that therapeutic plans are developed, followed and are meeting the individual need of the child, youth and family. The CYC provides direct client care including individual and environmental assessment (with an emphasis on strengths and assets rather than pathology), intervention planning, therapeutic individual, family and group counselling and referrals to other important service providers and agencies within the community. The CYC collaborates with other community services including the education staff, health and social services professionals, RCMP, justice services, and local government organizations to provide a comprehensive, person and family centered approach to care.

The incumbent may be required to work on call and work a flexible schedule to ensure accessibility to members of the community. In addition, when a traumatic event occurs within the community or to an individual, the incumbent will often be called upon outside of work hours.

Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by:
A Masters degree in Clinical Social Work, Psychology, or Counselling (Not Human Ecology, Public Health, Therapeutic Recreation, Child and Youth Care) and two years of relevant experience.