Mental Health Counsellor

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Interview clients, prepare case histories and assess problems
• Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels
• Supervise other counsellors, social service staff and assistants
• Prepare a treatment plan for each patient
• Provide therapy
• Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment
• Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes
• Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals and means of attaining them
• Observe and analyze patients during treatment sessions
• Counsel clients, provide therapy and mediation services, and facilitate group sessions
• Maintain accurate records
• Participate in fundraising activities
• Plan intervention programs
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling programs and interventions, and clients' progress in resolving identified problems and movement toward defined objectives
• Conduct research in the field of specialization
• Follow up results of counselling programs and clients' adjustment
• Provide consultation services to government and other organizations
• Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
• Administer standard psychological tests for assessment
• Identify additional/alternative services and provide referrals
• Liaise with community agencies or partners, and identify additional or alternative services and provide referrals
• Provide public education and consultation to other professionals or groups regarding counselling services, issues and methods
• Implement substance abuse treatment programs

Supervision

• 1 to 2 people

Credentials

Certificates, licences, memberships, and courses 

• Accreditation or registration with the appropriate national, provincial or territorial professional association
• First Aid Certificate
• CPR Certificate

Experience and specialization

Computer and technology knowledge

• Electronic medical records
• MS Excel
• MS Outlook
• MS PowerPoint
• MS Windows
• MS Word
• MS Office

Policy and program experience

• Mental health

Area of work experience

• Counselling

Additional information

Security and safety

• Criminal record check

Personal suitability

• Client focus
• Dependability
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral communication
• Excellent written communication
• Judgement
• Values and ethics
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal awareness
• Organized
• Reliability
• Team player

Benefits

Financial benefits

• Mileage paid

Other benefits

• Learning/training paid by employer
• Other benefits
• Wellness program