Job Posting: Youth Mental Health Therapist

Choices for Youth Inc. (CFY) is a professional service, youth-focused, non-profit, charitable organization that creates spaces and conversations, and operates programs and social enterprises to help vulnerable youth secure stable housing, employment, and education while improving health and family stability. With a focus on prevention, intervention, and support, we help youth and young families break cycles of poverty and homelessness and transition to healthy, stable, and independent lives. We are currently seeking three (3) full-time, permanent Youth Mental Health Therapists to join our Youth Mental Health team.

The Youth Mental Health Therapist will provide therapeutic support to youth and their families, who are facing mental health concerns, trauma, addiction, family instability, or other adverse life circumstances. This role requires a compassionate, patient, and skilled individual who can create a safe and supportive environment for youth to express themselves and receive appropriate care. The successful candidate will engage with youth through individual, group, and family counseling sessions, develop treatment plans, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure that youth receive comprehensive support. This role involves working with vulnerable populations including but not limited to, youth in care, Indigenous youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, youth experiencing homelessness, and youth dealing with systemic barriers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

COUNSELING & SUPPORT:

• Provide individual and group counseling to youth facing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harm, addiction, and relationship issues.

• Support the development of coping strategies and resilience-building techniques tailored to each youth’s needs.

• Conduct assessments to identify mental health and behavioral concerns and develop individualized treatment plans.

• Offer crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when required, ensuring youth safety and well-being.

• Offer individual, group and family counselling in a variety of settings.

COLLABORATIVE CARE:

• Work closely with interdisciplinary teams (e.g., social workers, healthcare professionals, educators, and community organizations) to ensure a holistic approach to care.

• Advocate for and assist in connecting youth with additional resources, such as housing support, employment opportunities, and community programs.

• Engage in regular case conferences and share updates with other professionals while respecting confidentiality and privacy guidelines.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT:

• Develop and facilitate outreach programs and workshops focused on mental health awareness, coping strategies, and emotional well-being for youth in schools, community centers, and other local spaces.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, including Indigenous groups, LGBTQ2S+ organizations, and local health authorities.

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY:

• Provide services that are culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of the youth served, including Indigenous youth, youth of color, and those from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Incorporate trauma-informed practices and work to understand the unique challenges of marginalized and vulnerable populations.

DOCUMENTATION & REPORTING:

• Maintain accurate and timely records of all counseling sessions, assessments, and treatment plans in accordance with confidentiality guidelines and professional standards.

• Complete progress notes, incident reports, and other documentation as required by organization protocols.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SELF-CARE:

• Attend regular supervision and team meetings to ensure quality care delivery.

• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay informed of best practices, emerging mental health trends, and cultural competency in counseling youth.

• Maintain self-care practices and seek supervision or counseling support when needed to manage the emotional demands of the work.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

• We recognize that a variety of clinical training and education backgrounds may be suitable for this role. A degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counselling, or a related field, is required.

• Registration with a relevant professional body (e.g., CRPO, CCPA, or equivalent) is preferred.

• Consideration may be given to an exceptional candidate who does not possess all the posted requirements, but through a unique background of other education or experience demonstrates equivalency.

EXPERIENCE:

• At a minimum at least 3-5 years of experience providing mental health support to youth, preferably with experience working with vulnerable populations such as those dealing with trauma, homelessness, substance abuse, or involvement with child protection services.

• Experience working in multidisciplinary settings and collaborating with community organizations.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Strong clinical skills in crisis intervention and evidence-based therapeutic techniques (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy).

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Deep understanding of the cultural, social, and systemic issues affecting youth, especially those from marginalized or at-risk communities.

• Knowledge of local resources, community services, and youth-centered interventions.

• Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy, respect, and professionalism.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Criminal background check and vulnerable sector screening.

• First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain.

• ASIST

• Valid driver’s license (if applicable).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position will begin as a virtual/rural role.

• The position may require flexible working hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate the needs of the youth served.

• Occasional travel to community partners or events may be required.

• The role may involve working in both office and community settings, including schools, shelters, or homes.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position will be $76,427.99 - $80,066.53 annually. Choices for Youth offers a competitive compensation package, including: a health and dental program, employer-matched RRSP and four weeks’ vacation to qualifying employees.

Reference ID: YMHT-1125

Application Deadline: December 5, 2025

HOW TO APPLY

Choices for Youth appreciates all applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit your cover letter and resume, explaining how you meet the criteria, to the recipients below, using YMHT-1125 in the subject line.

Email:

Recruitment Lead, Human Resources recruitment@choicesforyouth.ca

Paula Hennessey, Clinical Supervisor phennessey@choicesforyouth.ca

Choices for Youth (CFY) strives towards a culture of inclusion and empowerment, one where there’s a sense of belonging and safety while prioritizing diversity across the organization, including in its Board of Directors composition, employment practices, staff, policies, programming, and services. CFY values lived and living experience and invites everyone interested to apply for available opportunities. CFY actively seeks applications from Indigenous Peoples; members of Black, racialized, and other equity-seeking and/or religious, cultural, and other communities; members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; people with disabilities; and people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. Should you require support or accommodation(s) to better enable your ability to participate in the employment or recruitment process, please let us know at any point. This information will be kept confidential.

To view all current job postings, please visit http://www.choicesforyouth.ca/join-cfy.