Therapist/Social Worker - Youth Mental Health, Substance Use & Addictions Focus

Position Title: Therapist/Social Worker – Youth Mental Health, Substance Use & Addictions Focus (2 positions)

Employment Status: Permanent Part-time (0.5 FTE)

Position Status: This is a Bargaining Unit position. All terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement apply.

Job Posting Deadline for Internal Candidates: August 5, 2026, at 5:00pm

This posting is for an new vacancy

Hours of Work Schedule: 17.5 hours/week including some evenings and weekends

Salary Range: Annualized salary range of $33,235.50 - $37,758.50 (prorated based on a 0.5 FTE), commensurate on skills and experience plus Group Benefits & HOOPP

Hiring Manger: Manager, Youth Wellness Hub

Primary Location: Oshawa South, Ajax Youth Wellness Hub and across various agency locations within Durham Region

Organization

Who We Are: Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is a registered charitable organization that provides integrated, accessible, and equitable community-based primary care, wellness services, and health education for Durham community members facing barriers to health and well-being.

Who We Serve: DCHC offers equity-focused programs and services for priority populations, including Indigenous peoples, Black communities, 2SLGBTQI+ community members, newcomers to Canada, seniors, and clients without a family doctor. This approach helps community members access both preventive care and care when they are ill.

How We Work: Our interprofessional team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counsellors, dietitians, outreach workers, medical secretaries, and administrative staff. Together, we place each client at the centre of care and respond to their needs through integrated clinical care, wellness supports, and health education.

Why Join Now: This is an exciting time to join DCHC as we advance an energizing path toward greater impact in local health care. Guided by our Strategic Plan, Theory of Change, brand, client stories, and resources, we are diversifying, expanding, and strengthening how we serve the community.

Position Overview
Working as a member of an inter-professional Youth Wellness Hub team, the Mental Health Clinician provides evidence-based, youth-centred psychotherapy and mental health interventions to youth and young adults ages 12 to 25, and their families/caregivers as appropriate. Services are delivered virtually and in person using developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive approaches that promote optimal psychosocial functioning and recognize the impact of the social determinants of health.

The Mental Health Clinician collaborates with the Hub team, including the Child and Youth Worker/Facilitator, Peer Support Worker, Intake Coordinator, primary care providers, and community partners to provide integrated, coordinated care across the continuum of prevention, early intervention, and ongoing support. The clinician also contributes to program evaluation, quality improvement, and integrated service delivery while demonstrating leadership aligned with the organization's vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment & Intervention

• Provide client-centered, evidence-informed counselling/intervention addressing youth mental health and substance use needs.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and collaborate with youth to develop treatment plans.
• Deliver therapeutic interventions, using evidence-based approaches appropriate to developmental stage and presenting needs (e.g., CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, harm reduction strategies).
• Support youth in understanding and managing substance use, co-occurring mental health challenges, and risk factors.
• Ensure services are trauma-responsive, culturally safer, and non-stigmatizing.

Inter-Professional Collaboration & Care Coordination

• Work collaboratively with the Hub team and external partners to ensure seamless, integrated care.
• Participate in case conferences, team meetings, and multidisciplinary discussions regarding youth care.
• Liaise with external community agencies to facilitate referrals, warm transfers, and continuity of care.

Program Development & Quality Improvement

• Contribute to development and implementation of youth substance use programming and evidence-informed practices.
• Participate in data collection, reporting, and evaluation to support quality improvement initiatives.
• Engage in professional development and peer supervision, maintaining currency with best practices in youth addictions counselling.

Youth Engagement & Support

• Create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for youth.
• Empower youth to set goals, make informed decisions, and actively participate in their care.
• Provide services in both virtual and in-person settings, adapting interventions to meet youth needs.

Key Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree with a clinical speciality an asset (e.g., mental health/addictions); or Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical and Counselling Psychology or other equivalent Master’s degree.
• Member in good standing with OCSWSSW (Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers) or CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario).
• Minimum of two years of counselling/therapy experience with youth, preferably including substance use interventions.
• Demonstrated experience with evidence-informed interventions (e.g., CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, brief interventions).
• Knowledge of youth substance use, co-occurring mental health issues, and risk factors.
• Understanding of trauma-responsive, culturally safer, anti-oppressive, and developmentally appropriate approaches.
• Experience working in inter-professional teams and integrated care models.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and case management skills.
• Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMRs) and data reporting tools.
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Flexibility to work some evenings or weekends as required.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory for this position. DCHC will adhere to its duty to accommodate individuals who are unable to be fully vaccinated for a reason protected under human rights legislation.

DCHC encourages applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities served, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other equity-deserving groups.

Application Process:

1. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicant submissions will be kept on file for six months for future consideration.
2. Applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Written correspondence about this job posting may be sent directly to the email address provided on the resume. Applicants are responsible for checking their email regularly.
3. All external hires must successfully complete pre-employment requirements, including reference checks and criminal background checks, including Vulnerable Sector Screening.
4. Please note that AI technology supports the application screening process. All final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and celebrates diversity so all employees have the opportunity to thrive. DCHC will comply with all applicable standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and any other applicable legislation. If you have accessibility needs and require alternate formats or other accommodations, please contact our Talent and Culture team at 905-723-0036 or by email to recruiting@durhamchc.ca.