Counsellor/ Psychotherapist

Position Summary

The Student Wellness Centre at Laurier Waterloo is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals that provide physical, emotional and mental health support for students.

The Student Wellness team includes counsellors/psychotherapists, registered nurses, dietician, family physicians, mental health nurse. Wellness education is a separate team under the wellness umbrella. Reporting to the Manager, Student Wellness Centre, the counsellor/psychotherapist role provides clinical and therapeutic support to registered Laurier students using a short-term, goal-directed, stepped care model. Specific clinical duties include collaborating with each student to determine individual student goals, identifying challenges, and appropriate resources/support to maximize personal and academic success at Laurier.

Specific clinical duties may include intake, assessment, intervention, evaluation, safety planning, crisis intervention and response, and short-term counselling/psychotherapy.

Counsellors embrace a multi-disciplinary team and working environment, and appreciate the values of collaboration, communication and the opportunity to work closely with students.

Accountabilities

Intake, Risk Assessment management

• Facilitate intake process with students, including responding to questions, ensuring proper documentation and providing positive and welcoming first point of contact
• Conduct risk/safety assessments for immediate risk of suicide, homicide, self or other harm
• Ensure timely, effective and deescalating response to risk and crisis concerns
• Work collaboratively with Mental Health Nurse, Special Constable Service, Counselling Manager, Director, Student Wellness Centre where required
• Create safety/wellness plans for management of suicidal/self/other harm risk as needed
• Ensure student is provided with take-away resource, facilitated referral and clearly identified next-steps for personal support and safety
• Ensure familiarity with crisis resources/supports
• Facilitate external referral for students whose issues require specialized treatment or intensive psychotherapy

Personal Counselling/Psychotherapy

• Maintain an active caseload and collaborate with students to identify treatment goals that are appropriate for short-term therapy
• Create a collaborative, individualized treatment plan recognizing students’ strengths and needs in accordance with professional standards and best practices
• Provide professional counselling appropriate to address students’ personal, developmental, and psychological/psychiatric issues.
• Complete risk assessment and management plans with all students presenting in crisis, with suicide risk
• Provide timely crisis intervention, safety planning, support, documentation, and referral as required
• Ensure Student Wellness Centre Director and team members are aware of students who may be at risk of harm, significant deterioration, or otherwise require support from the Wellness Centre
• Assist students whose needs are outside the Wellness Centre scope of practice to identify and access other support services and facilitate referral
• Facilitate group counseling / peer support groups as required

Documentation

• Complete documentation in a timely manner per department policy to ensure effective safety monitoring for students at risk
• Use shared electronic record system to document counseling appointment and related information
• Uphold “circle of care” approach by facilitating communication with partners external to Student Wellness Centre by obtaining appropriate consents

Communication

• Respond to questions and inquiries from faculty, staff, parents and the external community with respect to counselling supports available, operational details and crisis response/referral information
• Facilitate critical-incident debriefing sessions on campus if required
• Communicate to SWC Leadership Team regarding need for extended counseling support beyond short-term model

Department/Team Support

• Actively participate in meetings and consultations with colleagues, including case sharing, professional development and informal consultation
• Contribute to the effective functioning and co-ordination of the department through flexible staffing and service delivery
• Participate in department meetings and committees in order to ensure smooth organizational operations and improved student support
• Participate in peer learning/consultation opportunities to maximize optimal trust, culture and performance within a team environment

University Engagement

• Possible representation of the department through participation in University committees, teams and working groups (e.g., mental health task force, petitions committees)
• Demonstrate knowledge and comfort with University systems, processes and practices, and support students in navigating and accessing services (e.g., petition processes, tuition fee appeal, financial support)
• Contribute to institutional support and emergency response planning if requested

Supervision

• Perform clinical duties according to professional standards and requirements
• Seek clarification and support with respect to clinical responsibilities from the Manager, colleagues, the Director of Student Wellness Centre, and other professionals
• Assume personal and financial responsibility for seeking external supervision as necessary

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counselling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Pastoral Counselling, or a related discipline required
• Current registration in a related Professional College
• Minimum three (3) years demonstrated experience, skill and interest in providing counselling, crisis assessment and management, and related services to post-secondary-aged students
• Demonstrated experience and ability completing risk assessments (informal) and managing risk in an outpatient setting, including safety planning
• Demonstrated ability using a computerized scheduler/documentation system
• Demonstrated skills in professional written and oral communication, reliability, flexibility, interpersonal skills, and team co-operation
• Kind, caring and positive approach to student support and interactions
• Demonstrated reliability and dependability

Hours of Work: This is a full-time, recurring position with an approximate end date of April 30, 2027. There will be a layoff period from May-August each year. The normal hours of work are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm with one selected day per week (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday) at 12pm to 8:00pm. Flexibility in hours may be required due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy).

Compensation:

Level: G

Rate of Pay: $52.17 to $55.14 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $59.63 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.