ABOUT US

Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency providing a wide range of exceptional programs and services that improve the mental, social, and physical health of infants, children, and youth from the pre-natal stage to age 29, and their families.  With a range of community, residential and treatment services our work helps to strengthen social and emotional well-being, for culturally diverse clients to move forward through adversity and develop abilities and skills to reach their full potential.  We provide individual, group and family interventions that include mental health counselling, autism services, education, outreach and referral, early intervention, day treatment and community support. To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit our website at www.stridestoronto.ca. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Individual and Family Therapist (GBV) is a part-time permanent position which provides psychoeducation and therapeutic support to survivors of sexual trauma, especially survivors of domestic sex trafficking as well as folks who identify as working in the sex trade by choice, circumstance, or coercion. In order to reduce trauma symptoms and improve the client’s overall wellbeing, the IFTs support a client’s re-integration into community and the development of healthy relationships through goal setting and collaboration.

Salary range:      $35.48 to $41.14 per hour. 

Benefits:            Competitive Group Health Benefits, Retirement Savings Plan.

Other:                 This role is a part of the OPSEU Local 567 bargaining unit. 

                           There are 2 part-time (17.5 hours per week) permanent roles available.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

• We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
• We have a diverse and inclusive work environment with staff who speak multiple languages and dialects.
• We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our team members and clients can thrive.
• We set high standards for performance, client outcomes, and implement best practices, which are demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Utilize therapeutic modalities such as trauma informed therapy, mindfulness cognitive behavioral therapy and attachment-based therapies 
• Focused short-term trauma work (6-9 months) 
• Be responsible for assessment, formulation, and treatment with an ability to utilize flexible strategies for engaging and working with adolescents, young adults and families 
• Teach client coping, grounding, self compassion and interpersonal skills 
• Continually review therapeutic goals with clients to ensure that the work is based on a client-centred approach
• Provide psychoeducation to clients on sex trafficking, trauma and its impact 
• Develop, plan and facilitate internal workshops, programs and skills development groups for youth and families pertaining to domestic human trafficking and trauma informed care.
• Support clients with harm reduction strategies to ensure safety in sex work and substance use
• Liaise with community partners and other service providers to better meet the client’s needs 
• Be self-reflective that allows the capacity to be an advocate and seek equitable solutions.Be vigilant in maintaining all administrative duties related to caseload and complete documentation in compliance with the Canadian Accreditation Centre and agency standards.

THE “MUST HAVES”

The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role:

• MSW or Masters level equivalency in Counselling/Therapy
• Membership in a registered professional association for practitioners in clinical therapy
• Minimum 3 years of clinical therapy experience
• Strong foundational knowledge of trauma, mental health and addictions, trauma focused approach, harm reduction approach
• Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively within an interdisciplinary team of service providers internally and externally.
• Demonstrated ability to meet targets, deadlines and manage multiple activities
• Awareness of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of Anti-Racism/Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Oppressive practice and working with youth and young adults from diverse communities including the LGBTQ2S+ community
• Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of and imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts for the client.

THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’

While not required, preference will be given to candidates with the following: 

• Specialized training in trauma informed therapeutic modalities 
• Groupwork facilitation experience in Trauma recovery
• Knowledge of the cultural diversity of communities served by the agency.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.

BEFORE STARTING WITH US

As our work puts us in direct contact with youth and vulnerable persons in our community, with health and safety as a priority, the successful candidate must complete or obtain the following before commencement of their employment:

• Full vaccination against COVID-19 or have received an exemption from the organization’s policy.
• A Vulnerable Sector police check.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your demonstrated education, certification (if applicable), working and related volunteer experience and how you meet specific requirements for this position, and any additional considerations you deem appropriate. The application deadline is May 22, 2022. 

Strides Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. We benefit from diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the range of cultures represented in the communities we serve.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Strides Toronto’s own policies, requests for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.