Job Description

Job Summary: The Holistic Counsellor works within an integrated, multi-disciplinary Health team to provide intake, assessments, referral (when needed), long term traditional healing as well as crisis response, follow-up services to Tsleil-Waututh (TWN) family members affected by life stressors, mental health and/or trauma. Reporting to the Clinical Lead, the Holistic Counsellor provides counselling and support to all ages; specifically, engaging Tsleil-Waututh membership in culturally competent, specific to Tsleil-Waututh culture, trauma-informed programs and services. This may include confidential individual, family, or group sessions, supporting community members through a holistic, relational approach grounded in client-centred and traditional Indigenous healing practices specific to the cultural and spiritual protocols of TWN. The focus of healing will be to enhance community members\xe2\x80\x99 mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, while building self-awareness and encouraging greater coping and resourcing abilities. The Holistic Counsellor may also provide educational/therapeutic interventions to individuals and groups in the community with a focus on mental wellness related topics, such as grounding and breath work, mind-body balancing, land-based healing, traditional and spiritual teachings with cultural relevancy, managing anxiety and depression, substance misuse, the impacts of trauma, anti racist practices, coping skills, and inter-generational impacts of Residential schools. The Holistic Counsellor will be familiar with other services and resources in the community and will work closely to provide information and support when required. They will work as part of the Mental Wellness team providing a circle of care and confidentiality within the community that addresses and implements the long-term goals of the Health Department and community.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide trauma-informed, culturally inclusive and specific, holistic-based traditional and culture based healing to TWN community members.
• Prepare wellness plans; complete screenings and safety risk assessments when necessary.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations and follow protocols of the Nation.
• Make external referrals and strive towards building a collaborative relationship to outside agencies, where necessary.
• Coordinate and facilitate educational/therapeutic workshops/groups/programs/circles on mental wellness issues on a diversity of topics that are TWN culturally appropriate.
• Maintain strict confidentiality guidelines regarding all clients, conversations, and referrals.
• Build relationships with clients, schedule and book all appointments, and manage caseload in an ethical and organized way.
• Attend and participate on community and organizational committees that are connected to mental wellness.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of trauma on mental health, attachment systems, and substance use struggles.
• Participate/ receive clinical supervision, and attend the weekly Mental Wellness Team Meeting; and Health Department Team meetings, as needed.
• Utilize the Electronic Management Record system to document all client encounters in a timely manner and maintain digital note taking system.
• Follow the policy and procedures of the Mental Wellness Team.

• Strong interpersonal and advocacy skills to work with people.
• Effective listening, observation and facilitation skills to effectively assess clients and provide appropriate treatment and consultation.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills in English to establish and maintain a wide range of contacts with health care professionals and community organizations.
• Good understanding of First Nations traditional healing methods and a willingness to learning and growing their cultural awareness competency, if needed.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. Proven ability to use tact and good judgment when dealing with sensitive and complex issues.
• Understanding of crisis management and the ability to deal with life threatening situations including the prevention of suicide.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and independently.
• Comprehensive knowledge of client centered mental health interventions, practice methods and professional skills.
• Knowledge of community resources, social service networks and organizations.
• Working experience in Oscar-EMR electronic Medical Record Systems, various virtual portals, Zoom, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Previous experience working in a First Nations community and/or organization is preferred.
• Must successfully pass a Criminal Records Check.

• Significant desk work with long periods of manual dexterity (keyboard operations, filing).

• Must synthesize complex and diverse information.

• Must remain calm, professional, objective, and constructive.
• Attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Must model adherence to established systems and processes.
• Provide detailed and comprehensive strategic advice with little notice.
• Highly developed ability to work under pressure.

• Dynamic environment with multiple demands, changing priorities and constant interruptions.

• Highly sensitive legal, confidential, and political issues and environment
• Engagement with other departments, levels of crown and First Nation governments.