Counsellor - Connected Care Team

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada.

In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our .

The Team

(SHaW) includes the Medical Centre, Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CSDC), and Health Promotion Programs. In SHaW, a comprehensive, holistic model of health is engaged to support student health and wellbeing. The Medical Centre provides health care services on campus including assessments, immunizations, physicals, and more. The CSDC offers free, confidential counselling services provided by a team of counsellors and counselling interns. Using a personalized care model, the team works with students to develop a personal wellbeing plan, and services offered include group and one-on-one care. Finally, Health Promotion shares health tips and strategies to students at TMU and runs the peer support programming.

The Opportunity

The Connected Care Team is a pilot initiative to provide coordinated holistic support to the needs of transgender and non-binary students, and more widely 2SLGBTQ+ students at TMU.

The Counsellor position enhances the student experience at Toronto Metropolitan University, and embodies Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to a Whole Campus Whole Health approach to student development, health, and wellbeing.

Counsellors engage in responsive program development and delivery aimed at fostering wellbeing in our diverse student population. This includes, but is not limited to, working within a personalized and equitable care model of service delivery with a focus on providing brief and ongoing psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and community referrals.

The counsellor will be a key partner in working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to support mental health needs of undergraduate and graduate students at TMU. The successful candidate will also provide generalist counselling for a diverse population of university students across schools and faculties. Due to the nature of the Connect Care Team, lived experience as a member of the transgender community with an interest in supporting students from a shared background is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a Master’s degree in a counselling-related field. Post-Master’s experience in individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, and program development is preferred.
• Registration and in good standing with a Professional College governing the practice of psychotherapy in the province of Ontario.
• Dynamic, innovative, evidence-informed counsellor with a client-focused, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and intersectional approach to counselling.
• Strong generalist counselling skills and ability to work with a diverse client population in a short-term goal-directed therapy practice model.
• Excellent clinical judgment and decision-making skills are required to deliver and evaluate counselling and crisis intervention services for students, including risk-assessment, crisis management, complex case management, outreach and referrals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including demonstrable understanding of professional boundaries, roles and responsibilities; and strong collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Functions independently and as part of multiple teams, working with other Student Wellbeing and Student Affairs staff who will be delivering programs to TMU students.
• The counsellor will be required to effectively prioritize and ensure the completion of assigned work, to change priorities as the need arises, and to work efficiently.

Experience in the following areas would be considered a strong asset:

• Post-secondary setting counselling experience supporting trans and non-binary clients, familiar with the mental health needs of trans and non-binary students.
• Due to the goals of the Connected Care Team, we are particularly interested in applications from openly trans candidates, particularly trans women interested in providing care to students from a shared background. If you have questions about this component, please confidentially contact Lee Hodge, Director Community Wellbeing at lee.hodge@torontomu.ca