Trauma Therapist

Job Description

To provide individual and group therapeutic counselling services to individuals of all gender identities, aged 15 years and up, who have experienced sexualized and gender-based violence. Therapy services are offered in-person, via phone, and online.

Responsibilities
• Provide individual trauma therapy counselling sessions for clients in all stages of our work
• Co-facilitate group-based trauma therapy sessions when available and as scheduled
• Provide supportive and information-based sessions to non-offending parents and partners
• Participate in regular individual supervision and team peer consultation sessions
• Record and maintain up to date formal client records in accordance with professional college requirements
• Enter and maintain updated client profiles and client session statistics on Jane app
• Ensure inactive client files are closed in a timely manner
• Assist with maintaining intake and waitlists as needed
• Collaborate with internal and external community partners to ensure smooth referrals and client bridging between programs
• Network and strengthen professional relationships and referrals with key external organizations
• Ensure therapy skills remain updated in accordance with professional College requirements
• Ensure ongoing training around trauma-informed and culturally relevant best practices
• Provide occasional community-based training and presentations when time and resources allow
• Contribute to organizational culture by attending team meetings, serving on committees or working groups, providing input and feedback on new policies and procedures, and/or participating in community events as appropriate.
• Supervise placement students as appropriate.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications
• Graduate level degree in Social Work, Counselling Psychotherapy, or Psychology and registered with associated regulatory body (NSCSW, NSCCT)
• 3+ overall years of experience in providing individual counselling, crisis support, and advocacy
• Experience working with diverse and marginalized populations is essential
• 1+ years of post-graduate specialized experience related to sexual assault/abuse with a focus on therapeutic counselling considered an asset
• Advanced training, knowledge, and skills in working with complex relational trauma and dissociation considered an asset
• Strong knowledge of local community organizations and systems to facilitate referrals, collaboration, and networking is preferred
• Ability to engage and remain present with people who are highly activated in crisis states
• Knowledge of the intersectional dimension of systemic inequalities, including but not limited to racism, colonialism, sexism/misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, classism/poverty, ableism, ageism, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in networking, advocating and collaborating to improve marginalized populations’ access to services
• Proven ability to work as part of a collaborative team following relational values and practices
• Able to consult with supervisor in addressing challenging client situations and in monitoring and addressing vicarious trauma

Psychological Demands
• Working with clients who are at different stages of emotional healing and recovery
• Assisting and supporting clients experiencing extreme crisis states
• Manage a full-time caseload of clients who have experienced sexual assault/abuse
• Exposure to systems causing re-traumatization and secondary harm
• Vicarious trauma impacts due to the inherent risk associated with providing direct services to individuals who have experienced sexualized violence

Working Conditions

· Hours: 35 hours/week with occasional evening work subject to approval

· Location: This position is located in Amherst in our Lilac Place: Resources for Women space (10 Lawrence Street)

· Compensation: $65,280 – $80,377.08 per annum

About Cumberland County Transition House Association (CCTHA)

The Cumberland County Transition House Association provides a continuum of supports and services to individuals through three main programs: Autumn House, supports, services, programs, and short term shelter for women and their children who are dealing with DV/IPV; New Directions, supports, services, and programming for men who are using DV/IPV in their lives and want to change; and Lilac Place: Resources for Women (and women identified), supports, programs, and services for women, women identified, and non binary people to help empower. The CCTHA has contracted with Avalon Sexual Health Centre of Nova Scotia to provide support to all genders affected by sexualized violence in Cumberland. Since 1986, we have advocated for survivors and worked to provide a safe space through a variety of services. We are deeply committed to trauma-informed, feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practices that center equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. We are a workplace that is dedicated to fostering a collaborative, supportive, and trauma-informed staff environment.

CCTHA is committed to building a diverse staff team and encourages applications from candidates from equity-deserving groups who bring important perspectives to this work. Members of equity-deserving groups face collective barriers to participating in society due to historic, social, attitudinal, and environmental marginalization based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, and other systemic challenges to equal access, opportunities and resources. Avalon supports leadership and employment opportunities for all gender identities.

Why Work for CCTHA?

We recognizes and values the complexity and skill required in providing support to historical and acute traumas. As a proudly anti-oppressive workplace we are committed to fostering an organizational culture that actively promotes healthy work-life balance and invests in the support and growth of staff. This includes:
• 20 paid vacation days
• Employer shared extended health benefits and pension
• Employer paid professional development
• Internal practice groups and Clinical Supervision
• Supportive and responsive team regarding vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout

To Apply

Please send your resume AND cover letter in one file to dferris@autumnhouse.ca.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $65,280.00-$80,377.00 per year

Benefits:
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Experience:
• individual counselling, crisis support, and advocacy: 3 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person