Mental Health Counsellor

Full Time, 1.0 FTE

POSTING DATE: February 25, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: March 08, 2026

ABOUT WANASAH

Wanasah is a new mental health agency created to address the urgent mental health and addictions needs of Black youth and their families through the provision of effective Black-centric mental health services in the community. Wanasah recognizes the need for inclusive, trauma-informed care with meaningful incorporation of spirituality and community voice in its programming. We work within an anti-racist, anti-Black racist and anti-oppression framework that incorporates principles of intersectionality. Wanasah is based in Regent Park, Toronto.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new organization that is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of Black youth in Toronto. The successful individual will work with a small, dedicated team to develop, evaluate and adapt an innovative model of care.

More information about Wanasah can be found at our website: www.wanasah.ca

Position Summary

Wanasah is seeking a Mental Health Counsellor to work with Black youth aged 12-25 with mental health and addictions concerns and their families in Regent Park. These youth may be experiencing serious diagnosed/undiagnosed mental illness, problematic substance use, violence, grief/loss, involvement with the criminal justice system and/or a mental health crisis. Regent Park has a large Black East African community along with other diverse Black populations that make up our clients. The Mental Health Counsellor’s primary responsibility will be to provide individual and group therapy to clients and their families. They will report directly to the Program Manager and work closely with other members of the Wanasah team, namely the Case Managers, Community Support Worker, Access and Engagement Worker and Spiritual Care Facilitator, as well as partner agencies in the community. A key task will be on building trust and engagement with the community, including current and prospective clients and their families. The Mental Health Counsellor will utilize a Black-centric, person and family centered, spiritually affirming, trauma and healing centered informed approach.

Responsibilities Include:

Provide individual and group therapy to support Black youth with mental health and addiction concerns and their families

Provide individual and family assessments, risk assessments and follow up services

Provide one-time or ongoing therapy, crisis intervention, and psycho-education to clients

Support clients whose needs cannot be met in the community to access acute care and/or emergency services

Provide advocacy and support services during and following hospitalization

Identify and provide appropriate Black centric therapeutic approaches to care

Develop and implement workshops/training sessions on topics such as trauma recovery, bereavement and culturally specific mental health and addictions care

Offer and provide support to family and chosen family of clients through psycho-education, crisis prevention, family therapy, family meetings, etc.

Collaborate with families and other internal and external providers to identify and access services that support the treatment plan

Build trust with Black youth and families in the community through collaboration with community/partner agencies

Provide culturally and spiritually affirming psychoeducation and necessary supports to family, partner agency staff, teachers, and referral sources

Be a youth and family mental health and addictions resource for partner agency staff and community members

Ensure the implementation of models of best practice and evidence-based practice

Participate in quality-of-care activities to initiate positive changes in programs and care

Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records and documentation

Participate as a full member of Wanasah’s team

Comply with Wanasah’s policies and procedures including those relating to privacy and confidentiality

Develop and maintain positive relationships with family/chosen family, community agencies/partners and other resources in the community

Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Masters prepared or specialization in a mental health related discipline (MSW, MN, Spiritual Care, etc.)

Membership and good standing in a professional college (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, CRPO, COTO, etc.)

Completed at least three years of counselling practice in mental health in a facility/team or related program with access to training, observed care, regular supervision and/or peer mentoring.

Experience working with youth and families

Training and experience with a variety of clinical approaches such as: MBCT, CBT, DBT, ACT, MSRB, narrative therapy, brief solution focused therapy, etc.

Demonstrated experience supporting individuals with mental health and addictions issues from a recovery, harm reduction, trauma informed and client centered approach

Proven ability to apply best practices in psychotherapy

Knowledge of issues impacting youth with mental health and addictions concerns, and familiarity with local resources and supports

Experience providing grief/bereavement supports to individuals experiencing violence and loss

Knowledge of pertinent legislation, such as the Child and Family Services Act, the Mental Health Act and the Youth Criminal Justice Act

Understanding of spirituality and faith in providing meaningful mental health and addictions services

Self-directed and independent, but also proven experience working effectively as a team member, including in collaboration with other community partners

Proven commitment to ongoing-learning

Strong organizational and time management skills

Thorough understanding and commitment of anti-Black racism/ anti-racist/ anti-oppression theory and practice

Lived experience of anti-Black racism or extensive understanding of, and commitment to, resisting anti-Black racism

Information about the position:

Urban home visiting/community visits required.

Staff are expected to work in a variety of environments.

The standard work week is Monday to Friday, regular evening and some weekend hours are anticipated.

A medical/dental benefits package is included.

Remuneration will be dependent on qualifications and experience

Starting Salary Range: $65,679.97 - $73,407.02

Annual Salary Range: $65,679.97 - $88,861.13

Please submit a cover letter and resume by March 8th to info@wanasah.ca

We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation should be made when contacted.

While we thank all individuals for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Wanasah: Mental Health Services for Black Youth

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