Job Description

Employment Opportunity:

Group Trauma Therapist (Part-time, 1 Year-Term)

About Avalon

Avalon Sexual Assault Centre provides a continuum of supports and services to individuals of all genders affected by sexualized violence in Halifax and across Nova Scotia. Since 1983, we have advocated for survivors and worked to provide a safe space through a variety of services. We are deeply committed to trauma-informed, feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practices that centre equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. We are a proudly unionized workplace that is dedicated to fostering a collaborative, supportive, and trauma-informed staff environment.

About the Role

Avalon is seeking a Group Trauma Therapist to lead and support group-based therapy programming as the primary therapist responsible for group services within our organization. As a member of the Sexual Violence Trauma Therapy Program (SVTTP), this position focuses on the development, facilitation, and evaluation of therapeutic trauma groups for individuals of all gender identities (ages 15+) who have experienced sexualized and gender-based violence. Services are offered in person or online, with the majority of this role's work being group-based.

Responsibilities

Group Therapy Related Duties (70%)

Lead the planning, development, and facilitation of group-based trauma therapy programs. Serve as the primary group therapist within the Avalon counselling team. Develop and adapt trauma-focused group curricula and materials in collaboration with clinical supervisors and the team. Support participant screening and assessment for group readiness. Ensure groups are delivered using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and intersectional approaches. Provide group debriefing and post-group support to participants as needed. Engage in outcome measurement and contribute to program evaluation. Support placement students for group therapy as appropriate.
Administrative Duties (20%)

Record and maintain up-to-date formal client records in accordance with professional college requirements. Enter and maintain updated client profiles and client session statistics on the Jane app. Ensure inactive client files are closed in a timely manner. Participate in regular therapeutic and peer supervision as needed. Attend team meetings as needed and appropriate.
Professional Liaising and Training (10%)

Coordinate with internal partners for client referrals and group promotion. Ensure therapy skills remain updated in accordance with professional College requirements. Ensure ongoing training around trauma-informed and culturally relevant best practices. Provide occasional community-based training and presentations when time and resources allow.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

Graduate level degree in Social Work, Counselling Psychotherapy, or Psychology and registered with the associated regulatory body (NSCSW, NSCCT, NSBEP). 3+ overall years of experience in providing counselling, with at least 1 year facilitating trauma-focused therapeutic groups. Familiarity with group therapy models, curriculum development, and best practices. Experience working with diverse and marginalized populations is essential. 1+ years of post-graduate specialized experience related to sexual assault/abuse with a focus on therapeutic counselling is considered an asset. Advanced training, knowledge, and skills in working with complex relational trauma and dissociation are considered an asset. Strong knowledge of local community organizations and systems to facilitate referrals, collaboration, and networking is preferred.
Additional Competency Requirements

Ability to engage and remain present with people who are highly activated in crisis states. Knowledge of the intersectional dimension of systemic inequalities, including but not limited to racism, colonialism, sexism/misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, classism/poverty, ableism, ageism, etc. Demonstrated experience in networking, advocating and collaborating to improve marginalized populations' access to services. Proven ability to work as part of a collaborative team following relational values and practices. Able to consult with therapeutic supervisors to address challenging client situations and monitor and address vicarious trauma.

Psychological Demands

Working with clients who are at different stages of emotional healing and recovery. Assisting and supporting clients experiencing extreme crisis states. Exposure to systems causing re-traumatization and secondary harm. Vicarious trauma impacts due to the inherent risk associated with providing direct services to individuals who have experienced sexualized violence.

Why Work for Avalon?

Avalon recognizes and values the complexity and skill required in providing support to historical and acute traumas. As a proudly unionized and anti-oppressive workplace, we are committed to fostering an organizational culture that actively promotes healthy work-life balance and invests in the support and growth of staff. This includes:

20 paid vacation days (pro-rated to FTE) 18 paid wellness days (pro-rated to FTE) Employer shared extended health benefits Employer paid professional development (pro-rated to FTE) Internal practice groups and therapeutic supervision Supportive and responsive team regarding vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout

Working Conditions

One-year term part-time position

, with the possibility of extension or transition to permanent status based on organizational needs and funding availability.

Hours:

0.4 or 0.6 FTE based on 35 hours per week - negotiable hours/schedule to be determined with program manager; regular evening hours required for group programming.

Location:

This position is located in HRM and will work out of the downtown Halifax office.

SEIU Local 2:

Avalon is a unionized workplace. The successful candidate for this position will be a bargaining unit member with SEIU Local 2.

Compensation:

$71,400- $80,377.08 per annum (pro-rated to FTE)
Avalon is committed to building a diverse staff team and encourages applications from candidates from equity-deserving groups who bring important perspectives to this work. Members of equity-deserving groups face collective barriers to participating in society due to historic, social, attitudinal, and environmental marginalization based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, and other systemic challenges to equal access, opportunities and resources. Avalon supports leadership and employment opportunities for all gender identities.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter in one file to jobs@avaloncentre.ca Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Note:

We kindly ask you to refrain from using AI technology in compiling your cover letter, as we would love to get a sense of your personal enthusiasm for the role.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $42,840.00-$48,226.00 per year

Expected hours: 14 - 21 per week

Education:

Master's Degree (required)
Experience:

counselling: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:

Registration with NSCSW, NSCCT, NSBEP (required)
Work Location: In person