Counsellor, First Responder Support, Crisis and Access

Counsellor, First Responder Support, Crisis and Access
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Part-Time, Contract (Approximately 6 months) 

This posting is the result of a current vacancy
London, Ontario (London Zone)
- Application Deadline: June 29, 2026 -

We believe when individuals in our community experience an urgent mental health or addictions crisis, they deserve a response that is person-centred and supportive, while focusing on personal dignity and wellbeing. 

As a clinical counsellor for First Responder Support you will provide specialized mental health services to individuals currently employed in First Responder programs within London-Middlesex County, including London Police Services, London Fire Department, and Middlesex-London Paramedic services. As a clinical counsellor you will support the psychological needs of individuals through prevention and early intervention support, crisis response, and individualized treatment planning. In this position you will also work collaboratively with the leadership team and community partners to coordinate training opportunities for first responders; develop internal training programs for CMHA employees; and provide clinical support to first responder peer support teams.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making -  Starting rate for this role is $30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated:
  1. Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
  2. Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($37.26 per hour for regulated); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
  3. Premiums of $2.00 per hour will be applied for eligible Evening/Night (8:00pm – 7:00am) and Weekend Shifts. 
• When you'll work - 42 hours biweekly; rotating days, afternoons, evenings and weekends.
• Your pension plan –Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• What your benefits will be – 9% in lieu of benefits

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Direct Service:

• Complete mental health and addiction assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response to identify:
• the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning,  
• risk factors related to safety of client and others
• opportunities for de-escalation and stabilization
• Establish a therapeutic relationship, including appropriate boundaries, to maximize the benefits of engagement with the individual
• Provide short-term follow-up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as needed
• Provide short-term/brief individual counselling as needed
• Coordinate and facilitate referrals to internal and external services and supports 
• Advocate as necessary to facilitate access to services and support with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation
• Engage emergency services when it is determined that additional intervention is required 
• Assess barriers to healthy and safe community living (e.g. treatment options, finances, etc.)
• Provide non-judgmental support and conduct assessments while delivering care that is respectful and sensitive to individual differences, including culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs, and values
• Support the individual in developing skills for self-advocacy to learn new behaviours and develop coping skills fostering healthy interdependence through limit setting.
• Provide health teaching and psychoeducation regarding mental health, substance use and addiction, coping techniques and strategies (e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene) to enhance overall well-being.
• To represent CMHA TVAMHS and respective community partners professionally and positively in the community

Crisis Intervention & Follow-up:

• Provide short-term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist individuals in gaining insight and improving coping skills within the framework of the crisis model.
• Perform in a calm, competent and efficient manner in an emergency situation acknowledging the individual’s need for privacy and dignity.
• Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors related to substance use
• Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
• Assist individuals in identifying and connecting with personal, natural, and professional support to promote overall well-being 
• Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate
• Facilitate debriefing sessions for individuals and groups

Advocacy:

• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources and its place within the mental health and addiction care system
• Assist in building positive working relationships across the service system, including first responder programs, CMHA TVAMHS, and local hospitals 
• When appropriate, act as liaison with professional supports and care providers who are involved with the individual to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision
• Participate in public education and advocacy to promote first responder mental health awareness and reduction of stigma

Clinical Support

• Provide clinical consultation and support to first responder peer support teams  

Coordination, Training, and Education

• Develop and facilitate internal education and training for CMHA TVAMHS employees
• Coordinate training programs for first responder members and peer support teams

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:
 

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 5 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

 
We require the following qualifications:

• College Diploma or University Degree in a relevant field of study e.g. social work, psychology, occupational therapy or a related discipline (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Currently registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (as an RSW, SSW), the College of Nurses of Ontario, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
• Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience providing crisis intervention and postvention, counselling, and support to individuals who have experienced trauma and mental illness
• Demonstrated knowledge of first responder culture, including police, fire, paramedic, and dispatch environments
• Experience in system navigation, case management, and family support
• Strong knowledge of the biopsychosocial impact of trauma, specifically as it relates to first responders
• Extensive knowledge of community resources
• Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies
• Ability to assess level of risk (e.g., suicidality, violence) 
• Valid Driver’s License
• Access to vehicle to carry out job duties
• Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly 

We prefer the following qualifications:

• First Aid & CPR, WHMIS Training
• ASSIST Certificate
• Experience providing psychological support to first responders
• Experience coordinating and developing educational and training programs, both virtual and in-person
• Experience utilizing evidence-based therapeutic modalities (e.g, CBT) to treat trauma and promote psychological healing and wellness 
• Strong active listening and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of Psycho-social Rehabilitation
• Ability to develop short- and long-term treatment plans in conjunction with the individual
• Planning and organizational abilities
• Ability to Advocate and coordinate service access
• Strong active listening and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to build relationships
• Crisis management/intervention skills
• Bilingual in both official languages, preferred; Une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences dans les deux languages officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – June 29, 2026
 

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team. 

 

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact  View email address on cmhatv.

Legal Notifications:

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes