Freedom Quest is thrilled to announce the development of a dedicated Clinical Team specifically designed to serve young people across the West Kootenay Boundary region. This exciting initiative represents a significant step forward in ensuring accessible, compassionate, and specialized care for our youth. We look forward to hearing from you!

Clinical Counsellor/Behavioural Therapist

• Hours/week: ​31.5 hours/week
• Wage: $42/hour
• Primary Office Location: Castlegar
• Area Served: Youth Residence located in Castlegar

Position Summary
Freedom Quest Youth Services Society provides specialized residential care and support services for children and youth experiencing crisis. The agency’s Low-Barrier Short-Term Stabilization Care program, Eagle House, provides a safe environment for children and youth (aged 6-18) who are experiencing a crisis and/or breakdown of their living environment. The service is short-term (3-9 months) and focuses on crisis mitigation and healing through a harm-reduction lens by providing culturally safe, individualized support.

This is a combined position (30 hours/week total: 15 hours Clinical Counsellor + 15 hours Behavioural Therapist) providing direct clinical services and behavioural intervention support to children and youth in our Low-Barrier Short-Term Stabilization Care program. The successful candidate will lead therapy planning, deliver clinical interventions, conduct functional behavioural assessments, and work collaboratively with the residential care team, families/caregivers, and community partners to support stabilization and successful transitions for children and youth experiencing functional crises.

This position works in partnership with community-based professionals (CYMH, CYSN) and is integral to developing and implementing SHSS Service Plans that support crisis stabilization and prepare children/youth for successful transitions back home or to alternative living arrangements.

Key Competencies

• Clinical Excellence
• Collaboration and Communication
• Cultural Responsiveness and Sensitivity
• Child and Family-Centered Practice
• Systems Thinking and Coordination
• Professional Accountability
• Flexibility and Resilience
• Supervision and Reporting

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Counsellor Responsibilities (16.5 hours/week)

• Direct Clinical Services
• Assessment and Planning
• Collaboration and Consultation
• Documentation and Training

Behavioral Therapist Responsibilities (15 hours/week)

• Functional Assessment and Planning
• Behavioral Intervention and Support
• Transition and Community Support
• Counselling and Skill Development
• Professional Development and Documentation

Integrated Responsibilities (Both Roles)

• Team Collaboration
• Crisis Management
• Cultural Safety and Trauma-Informed Practice
• Family Engagement

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities
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Education

• Master's degree in Social Work, Educational Counselling, Clinical Psychology, Child and Youth Care, Counselling, Psychology, or a related field (REQUIRED)
• Registration with appropriate professional colleges or associations (e.g., BC College of Social Workers, BC Association of Clinical Counsellors) is required or must be obtained within six months of hire (REQUIRED)

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of direct clinical experience in social services working with children, youth, and families
• Minimum two (2) years of experience conducting functional behavioural assessments and developing behavioural intervention plans
• Demonstrated experience providing individual, group, and family therapy
• Experience working with children/youth with complex trauma, mental health concerns, behavioural challenges, and/or developmental needs
• Experience working in residential or intensive community-based child and youth mental health settings is preferred

Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced knowledge of child and youth development, trauma-informed practice, and attachment theory
• Expertise in evidence-based therapeutic modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, EFFT, narrative therapy, play therapy)
• Strong knowledge of functional behavioural assessment and positive behaviour support approaches
• Understanding of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) principles and evidence-based behavioural interventions
• Knowledge of child and youth mental health disorders, including concurrent substance use concerns
• Familiarity with psychotropic medications commonly prescribed to children and youth
• Understanding of harm reduction principles and low-barrier service approaches
• Knowledge of the Child, Family and Community Service Act, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, and relevant MCFD policies
• Ability to work from a biopsychosocial-spiritual lens within an ecological framework
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally safe practice principles
• Understanding of harm reduction principles and recovery-oriented care
• Willingness to engage in life-long learning and self-reflexivity practices to understand Indigenous worldviews and the important role of culture in facilitating healing.
• Recognition that colonization continues to impact the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples. This includes recognizing the role of trauma and offering trauma-informed care.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities

Other Requirements

• Valid BC Class V Driver’s License (REQUIRED)
• Satisfactory Driver’s Abstract (REQUIRED)
• Satisfactory Driver Factor Report (REQUIRED)
• Valid First Aid and CPR Certification (REQUIRED)
• Reliable Vehicle (REQUIRED)
• MCFD Record Check (inclusive of Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check) (REQUIRED)
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASSET)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and clinical supervision (REQUIRED)
• Ability to work flexible hours occasionally to meet program and family needs (REQUIRED)

For instructions on how to apply for these positions, please visit the agency's website: https://www.freedomquestyouthservices.ca/work-with-us.html