Counsellor, Crisis Response Team

Counsellor, Crisis Response Team
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Full-Time, Contract (End Date: March 31, 2027) 

This posting is the result of an upcoming vacancy. 
London, Ontario (London Zone)
- Application Deadline: September 21, 2026 -

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. 

Crisis Centre Staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. The Crisis Centre Staff will also work collaboratively with individuals to assess and identify their needs and link them to appropriate supports in the community. 

Depending on the program, supports may be provided in-person, via telephone or virtually; Crisis Services programs support individuals on a walk-in basis at the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Centre; in the community, via mobile response; via phone, text and web chat, and through intensive, short-term stabilization supports.

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 $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($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 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $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 - 70 hours biweekly; rotating days, afternoons, evenings and weekends; paid 30min break
• 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: 

• Support individuals in the community working in teams of two. Focus is to be on crisis assessment and solutions focused crisis intervention.  
• As necessary, assist individual crisis centre clients with transportation to required mental health services.  
• Work with community partners including London Police Services and London Emergency Medical Services. Maintain consistent communication with community services through dedicated phone line. Assist community services in supporting the mental health of individuals in the community.
• Complete mental health and addiction assessments based on theory of crisis management including rapid response to identify: 
  1. the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning,   
  2. risk factors related to safety of client and others 
  3. opportunities for de-escalation and stabilization 
• Establish a therapeutic relationship 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 
• Coordinate and facilitate referrals to internal and external services and supports 
• Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation 
• Engage emergency services when it is determined that additional intervention is required  
• Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.) 
• Obtain information, as needed, from other relevant sources  
• Interact and provide support and assessment in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g. 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 information regarding coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being. 

24/7 Reach Out Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Line responsibilities: 

• All Crisis Services Staff are to provide support to individuals through Reach Out. 
• Provide crisis intervention services and supports on Reach Out via phone, text and web chat. 
• Respond to voicemails from Reach Out. 
• Establish a therapeutic relationship with individuals accessing Reach Out, and work with individuals to address their immediate concerns. 

Crisis Intervention:

• 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. 

Crisis Follow-up: 

• Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate 
• Assist the individual to identify and connect with personal/natural supports 
• Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer term support service as appropriate 

Coordination and 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 CMHA and hospital  
• Participate in public education and advocacy 
• When appropriate, act as liaison with caregivers and/or service and support providers who are involved with the individual to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision

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 2-4 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

 
We require the following qualifications:

• Degree or diploma in a mental health or addictions related field or a minimum of 3 years of experience in a direct-service role and some post-secondary education in a mental health or addictions related field (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Valid Driver’s License: G class required
• Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
• Extensive knowledge of community resources, service & support programs, and barriers participants face in accessing same
• Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working in mental health
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in mental health crisis intervention
• Experience with, and detailed knowledge of, mild, moderate & serious mental illnesses, usually gained by several years of working with this population 
• Experience working in a community-based setting; preferably with an established network of service & support resources
• Ability to assess level of risk in regards to participants
• Computer literacy
• Ability to attend work regularly
• Bilingual in both official languages, preferred; Une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant des compétences dans les deux langues 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 – September 21, 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.applytojob.com
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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