Counsellor/Psychotherapist (pregnancy/family leave replacement one year)

ORCC Job Posting

Psychotherapist/Counsellor (this is a one-year pregnancy/family leave replacement with possibility of renewal)

Organization: Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC)

Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Hybrid: In-person & Virtual)

Hours: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

Reports to: Management

Program: Counselling Services

About ORCC

The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC) is a registered charity founded in 1974. We provide individual and group counselling, crisis support, service navigation, psychoeducation, and advocacy to support survivors and advance systemic change. Our work is grounded in survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive principles.

The Opportunity

ORCC is seeking a skilled, compassionate, and values-aligned Psychotherapist / Counsellor to provide direct counselling and psychotherapy services to individuals aged 16 and older who have experienced sexual and/or gender-based violence.

The Psychotherapist / Counsellor will provide the controlled act of psychotherapy within ORCC’s counselling program, ensuring consistent, ethical, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care. This role is central to the reliable delivery of funded counselling services and contributes to ORCC’s mandate of supporting survivors through accessible, survivor-centred services.

We are seeking a reflective and collaborative clinician who is committed to equity-informed practice, professional accountability, and working within a team-based service environment.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Psychotherapy and Counselling Services

• Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, evidence-based psychotherapy and counselling to survivors of sexual and/or gender-based violence, aged 16 and older.
• Maintain an active caseload in accordance with ORCC clinical policy.
• Deliver services in alignment with ORCC clinical guidelines, intake criteria, and service timelines.
• Apply therapeutic modalities consistent with organizational standards, professional scope, and client needs.

Caseload, Scheduling & Service Delivery

• Maintain a weekly schedule that prioritizes direct client service delivery in alignment with ORCC clinical policy and organizational needs.
• Coordinate client hours, availability, and non-client time with management.
• Support consistent and reliable access to counselling services for clients.

Intake, Treatment Planning & Discharge

• Conduct intake assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Communicate service timelines clearly with clients.
• Engage in ongoing discharge planning throughout the counselling process.
• Consult with management regarding session extensions or service adjustments in accordance with ORCC clinical policy.

Clinical Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate clinical records in ORCC’s electronic client record system.
• Ensure documentation meets organizational quality, risk management, privacy, and compliance standards.
• Track and report counselling statistics and service data as required.

Clinical Supervision & Professional Accountability

• Participate in regularly scheduled clinical supervision.
• Integrate supervisory feedback into clinical practice.
• Practice within the scope of professional competence and applicable regulatory requirements, including CRPO and/or OCSWSSW standards.

Groups, Workshops & Program Activities

• Facilitate group counselling or psychoeducational workshops as assigned or approved by management.
• Contribute to counselling program activities that align with ORCC’s mandate and service priorities.

Referrals & Community Coordination

• Provide referrals to external services for clients whose needs fall outside the scope of ORCC services.
• Collaborate with community partners within assigned responsibilities.
• Contribute to systems navigation through referral, coordination, and consultation.
• Work collaboratively with designated ORCC roles responsible for primary advocacy and related support.

Team Collaboration

• Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, supervision, and required organizational activities.
• Contribute constructively to ORCC’s workplace culture through respectful collaboration, shared problem-solving, and reflective practice.
• Support an organizational environment grounded in equity, accountability, and staff wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counselling, Social Work, Psychotherapy, or a related field.
• Current registration and member in good standing with a relevant regulatory college, such as CRPO or OCSWSSW, and authorized to practice the controlled act of psychotherapy.
• Minimum of two years of relevant clinical counselling/psychotherapy experience preferred; equivalent combinations of clinical training, supervised practice, and relevant experience will be considered.
• Clinical training and/or demonstrated experience in evidence-based trauma-focused therapies (e.g., EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy [CPT], Prolonged Exposure [PE], or related approaches) is considered an asset.
• Experience assessing and responding to complex trauma presentation, co-occurring mental health concerns, and elevated clinical risk is an asset.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups and/or psychoeducational programming is an asset.
• Experience working with survivors of sexual and/or gender-based violence is an asset.
• Experience supporting marginalized and underserved communities is an asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong clinical judgment and ethical decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide trauma-informed, survivor-centred counselling.
• Commitment to anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, and equity-informed practice.
• Ability to develop treatment plans and support clients through structured service timelines.
• Strong documentation, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage an active caseload while maintaining professional boundaries and self-reflective practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Familiarity with risk management, confidentiality, privacy, and professional regulatory obligations.
• Knowledge of the impacts of sexual and gender-based violence, including the intersections of trauma, power, identity, systemic oppression, and barriers to help-seeking, is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal English; additional languages are an asset.

Working Conditions

• Full-time position, 37.5 hours per week.
• Hybrid model with in-person and virtual responsibilities.
• Vulnerable sector police record check required.
• Participation in clinical supervision and team meetings required.
• Ability to work within Ottawa and attend in-person duties as needed.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary Range: $65,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience.
• Total Compensation Package: $80,000–$95,000 annually.
• Comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental coverage, generous paid leave, employer RRSP matching, professional licensing coverage, and professional development support.

How to Apply

To apply, or request more information, please send a cover letter and your resume to: [email protected]

ORCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusivity and meeting our obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code. We welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds. If you require accommodation to participate in this recruitment process, please freely indicate your needs.