CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services

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

London, Ontario (London Zone)
This posting is due to an upcoming vacancy.

- Application Deadline: March 2, 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!

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed within the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, interested applicants who are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible.

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $30.01 per hour (Level 1 of the Direct Service, Regulated Professional Grid);
  • Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8, $37.26 per hour
• When you'll work - 42 hours over a two-week period; Rotating days, afternoons, evenings and weekends; including a paid 30-minute meal break
• What your benefits will be - you will receive 9% in lieu of health benefits
• Your pension plan – Eligible for immediate, optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

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 impact of psychiatric symptions, risk factors and opportunities for de-escalation.
• Establish a therapeutic relationship including appropriate boundaries to maximize benefits of engagement. 
• 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 situations. 
• Provide health teaching and psychoeducation regarding mental health, substance use and addiction, coping techniques and strategies to enhance overall well-being. 

• 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.
• Provide follow-up support and/or check ins to bridge the gap form referral to engagement with a longer-term support service as appropriate.
• Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors.

• 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 a 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.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed within the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, interested applicants who are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible.

We require the following qualifications:

• College diploma or University degree in a relevant field of study (eg. social work, psychology, occupational therapy or a related discipline)
• Currently registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, the College of Nurses of Ontario, the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario 
• Valid Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle with adequate insurance to carry out job duties
• Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of Recovery principles
• Demonstrated knowledge of the first responder culture, including police, fire, paramedic and dispatch environments
• Minimum of 3-5 years clinical experience providing crisis intervention and postvention, counseling and support to individuals who have experienced trauma and mental illness
• 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
• Ability to develop short-term treatment plans in conjunction with the individual
• Ability to advocate for and coordinate service access with clients
• Knowledge of attributes of serious mental illness and pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of mental illness
• Treatment of Addictions 
• First Aid & CPR
• ASIST Training
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents 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 – March 2, 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 [email protected]
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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