Mental Health Clinician (1st Step Team)

Posting Closes: November 15, 2026 at 5:00pm

About Us:

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. We serve everyone from children to adults to seniors, all under one roof. Our programs help individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise. We have 400 staff at offices in Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest.

We are fully accredited by Accreditation Canada and are proud of our Exemplary Status (the highest standing) received at our most recent accreditation exercise.

Why Join our Team:

Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Our compensation package includes a competitive salary and generous benefits supporting the wellness of our staff. We are proud to be members of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) offering one of Canada’s largest and most respected defined benefit plans.

Career Development Opportunities: Our wide range of services and supports allows for varied opportunities for career growth. Our multi-disciplinary approach to care offers cross collaboration and enhanced opportunities for learning. A formal succession planning process is key to our internal leadership recruitment.

Values that include: Mutual Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Excellence and Innovation and a culture that is welcoming and inclusive.

Commitment to Health and Safety: We have a strong health and safety culture at CMHA WW and work tirelessly to address the health and safety needs of staff and the people we serve.

The Opportunity:

We are recruiting a MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN (1^st Step Team)

• This is acontract full-time role until January 14, 2028 (35 hours per week Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) based at 80 Waterloo Ave. Guelph and at 1145 Concession Rd. Cambridge.

Utilizing your mental health assessment, consultation and intervention skills to support individuals aged 14-35 and families in their recovery from acute psychotic symptoms associated with a first episode of psychosis, you will provide comprehensive screening and assessment of referrals into the Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) program. You will lead development and implementation of individual and clinical group treatment based on client goals. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will engage clients and families as partners in care to provide education and training pertaining to psychosis and mental illness. This position reports to the Manager, 1^st Step Program.

Responsibilities:

ASSESSMENT/CONSULTATION ACCOUNTABILITY

• Provide assessment and consultative services for individuals experiencing a first episode psychosis
• Engage individuals who are experiencing a first psychotic episode
• Complete a comprehensive assessment of the person’s/family’s life situation, goals and ambitions, level of risk, mental status, and needed and preferred services and resources
• Facilitate with the person’s/family’s agreement, the involvement of members of the social network in the assessment and goal definition process.
• Coordinate and facilitate access to EPI hub team for specialized assessment and consultation

DIRECT SERVICE ACCOUNTABILITY

• Provides service in a case management model
• Support the implementation of the IRT (Individual Resiliency Trainer) component of the NAVIGATE model of care
• Provide services and resources which alleviate emotional distress, reduce or eliminate psychiatric symptoms, address clinical issues, address the social/environmental contributions to the identified mental health issues, and promote community integration.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapy intervention in a variety of contexts (home, office, other community location) depending upon need and the person’s/family’s unique circumstances.
• Involve relevant community services, resources, and network members in the provision of treatment and support to the fullest extent possible.
• Assist the client/family to develop a reliable and responsive natural support system.
• Develop intervention and support plans that reduce reliance on the formal mental health system.
• Facilitate access to supports and resources that enable an individual to maintain valued life roles (e.g student, employee, friend) and to remain meaningfully involved with family and friends.

SERVICE COORDINATION ACCOUNTABILITY

• Coordinate required and requested services and resources, and monitor implementation of service plan
• Serve as the primary contact for the person and coordinate services received through the hub team and local site
• Ensure that the service plan is implemented as agreed upon
• Ensure that multi-disciplinary assessments are coordinated and integrated into a single service plan
• Involve the person/family and social network in the monitoring, evaluating, and revising of service goals
• Facilitate any needed changes to the service plan through service planning meetings or other conferencing mechanisms
• Facilitate access to a wide range of treatment and support options, ranging from self-help to formal services
• Work collaboratively to ensure a coordinated and seamless approach to service delivery

ADVOCACY ACCOUNTABILITY

• Assist client/family in understanding and advocating for their civil and legal rights
• Enhance the person’s understanding of his/her legal rights in the areas of housing, finances, work/education, medical and psychiatric services and health care information.
• Connect client/family to legal and advocacy resources as needed and/or requested.
• Advocate for the protection of a client’s/family’s personal and legal rights, and for access to needed services, resources, and opportunities as needed and/or requested.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

• Promote, in the community at large, advances and improvements which contribute to wellness and a person’s/family’s full participation in community life.
• Support and promote initiatives to increase the capacity of healthcare providers and the broader community to detect early psychosis and provide the required treatment and support.
• Contribute to ongoing quality improvement initiatives by representing the perspectives and needs of consumers experiencing a first episode psychosis at team meetings and planning forums.
• Promote and develop services that are responsive to cultural and ethnic diversity, and special needs.

Qualifications:

• Masters level degree in psychology, social work or relevant health or social science field
• Registration with relevant college/registering body
• 3 to 5 years of related experience in providing community-based mental health/addictions services
• Sound understanding and demonstrated knowledge of the needs of people with mental health/addictions concerns and their families, and the programs and services available in the community is required
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups, that are informed by the Best Practices in Early Psychosis Intervention, including psychoeducational and psychotherapy oriented groups
• Knowledge and experience in assertive outreach
• Demonstrated understanding and sensitivity to social and cultural diversity
• Well developed clinical assessment and intervention skills
• Highly developed organizational, communication and problem solving skills
• The ability to work collaboratively in a self-directed work team
• Proficiency with MS Office, Outlook and various database software
• A valid driver’s license and personal transportation as travel is required

If you are interested in this position, please submit a resume and cover letter in one document outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience meet the position requirements. We will be communicating with selected candidates via email. Please check your inbox, and junk/spam folder near the closing date of the posting.

CLASSIFICATION AND RATE OF PAY: Level 6 (OPSEU) - $37.09 to $45.21 per hour

CMHA WW, as an equal opportunity employer, embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

*We do not use AI in our screening process

Other key search terms: Social Worker, Therapist, Counsellor