Youth and Family Counsellor, Mental Health Program

Job summary

Assess and support children and youth with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric needs through trauma-informed counselling, developmental activities, crisis interventions, and implementation of individualized care strategies. Collaborate with families and the interprofessional team, document patient progress, support education and community integration, and transport patients as required.

Job details

Vancouver, Canada Regular,Full-Time Apply Save job Program Share on social media Category Therapy Services Requisition number 205453E Date posted 10/13/2026 Job Summary In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority, patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. In a hospital based psychiatric assessment and treatment program, the Youth and Family Counsellor works collaboratively as part of an interprofessional team within an evidence based Trauma Informed model of care, to support all aspects of therapeutic care of patients with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric problems and their families/caregivers. Under the direction of the Clinical Nurse Coordinator or designate, Youth and Family Counsellors are responsible for maintaining a physically and emotionally safe therapeutic milieu, providing activities and care appropriate to the child and adolescent’s stage of development, and transports patients to designated locations by operating the Centre’s vehicle. Youth and Family Counsellors are responsible for supportive counselling, and psychosocial assessment, including working with families/caregivers in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures. Duties/Accountabilities Assesses patients’ emotional and behavioural presentation, through the application of developmental theory, skills in Child and Youth Care, and trauma informed care. Communicates this assessment to the primary nurse and/or interprofessional team using appropriate methods including written documentation as per agency standards. Supports children and youth in lifespan development activities in the context of their psychiatric disorder, through supportive counselling, strategic interventions, psychosocial development, and guidance in activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and therapeutic meal support. Participates and contributes to patient care plan development, treatment strategies and intervention development with the assigned primary nurse and the interprofessional team by methods such as reviewing patient progress, discussing potential changes with team, and adjusting care strategies accordingly. Implements treatment team strategies and interventions as approved by the primary nurse and interprofessional team. Collects and documents pertinent patient information related to patient admission, progress notes, weekend pass outcomes and transition planning as required. Participates in patient and family/caregivers meetings, rounds and case conferences as required. Establishes and maintains therapeutic milieu by using engagement interventions such as Collaborative Problem Solving, trauma informed strategies, attachment and self-regulation strategies, and through the application of child and youth care theory and practice. Maintains a physically and emotionally safe environment for all patients by assessing and identifying the need for intervention in crisis situations through a trauma informed lens. Implements actions and documents according to established crisis management policies and procedures of the organization. Enhances the child and family/caregivers capacity for social skill development and community integration by methods such as utilizing understanding of group process, and organizing, leading and/or participating in assigned groups, such as community meetings and social skills development groups. Assists in community integration and social skills development by acting as a role model to organize and actively participate in activities (such as recreational outings to the gym, park, and swimming facilities), driving the Centre’s vehicle as required, and others activities as assigned. Drives patients to designated locations as scheduled by operating the Centre’s passenger van. Assists clients with embarking and disembarking the vehicle. Conducts inspections of vehicle by checking oil, gas and fluid levels, tire condition and ensuring that lights and signals are functioning; cleans interior and exterior of vehicle after use; and maintains records of distances travelled, gas expenditures and inspections. Recommends vehicle and equipment repairs as required. Provides support and education to families/caregivers in the context of their child’s/youth’s psychosocial development and psychiatric disorder, through supportive counselling and strategic interventions. This may include participation in family education/support/ multi-family therapeutic groups as well as assisting individual family members/caregivers to support their child’s/youths treatment care plan through role modelling, encouragement and teaching. Supports the child/youth in the learning environment in collaboration with the Special Education Teacher and in accordance with the established classroom guidelines by facilitating successful transitions between unit milieu and classroom, and using established care plan strategies and interventions to provide emotional and academic encouragement. This may include supporting transitions from hospital classroom to the community classroom. Attends and participates in in-service education programs as requested in order to maintain a standard of knowledge relevant to assigned program areas. Attends mandatory education sessions such as CPR, CPI, and fire safety. Utilizes and maintains equipment and supplies within departmental guidelines and budgetary resources. Participates in quality improvement activities including reporting unsafe situations and reports as per provincial and organization’s policies and procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education, Training and Experience Baccalaureate in Child and Youth Care, or a Baccalaureate of Arts with a Major in Psychology or Clinical Counselling, that includes course content relevant to Child and Youth Mental Health such as Infant, Child, and Adolescent Development, Fundamentals of Clinical Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Group and Family Processes. Two (2) years’ recent related experience working in a child and youth setting. Valid Class 4 driver’s license. Current CPR certification. Skills And Abilities Broad knowledge of the normal growth and development of children and youth Basic knowledge of mental health disorders in children and youth. Broad knowledge of Trauma Informed Care including Collaborative Problem Solving. Broad Knowledge of Attachment and Self Regulation Theory and Strategies. Broad knowledge of and demonstrated ability in recognizing and managing transference and counter-transference. Broad knowledge of and demonstrated ability in engaging and supporting individuals, milieu, and group processes. Demonstrated initiative in providing and participating in age appropriate activities. Demonstrated ability to problem solve, adjust to new or unexpected events, and to deal effectively with conflict situations. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team environment. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to organize work. Demonstrated ability to apply computer skills and operate related equipment. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. Apply Save job Back to search result SVG Internal job portal Current employees must apply through the internal job portal (link is external) . If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca (link sends email) with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. SVG PHSA’s values and Coast Salish Teachings PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. PHSA’s values are: Compassion, Respect, Equity, Courage, Innovation. In addition, PHSA accepted six Coast Salish Teachings from Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper Shane Pointe, Siem Te’ta-in. Learn more about PHSA’s values and teachings Back to top Sign up for job alerts SVG Learn about new career opportunities Be the first to know about new jobs at PHSA with recent postings sent straight to you! Email Address Job Categories Call Taker / DispatcherClerical/Secretarial Administrative/Administrative Resource TeamCommunicationsCommunity Health ServicesData AnalyticsDentalDentistryFinance / PayrollHealth Information ManagementHuman Resources/ OH&S / EducationIndigenous HealthInformation TechnologyLab PathologyLegal, Privacy, and RiskManagementMedical ImagingMedical LeadershipMedical Staff - OtherMental HealthMental Health Support ServicesMolecular Imaging and TherapyNew Grad NurseNursing/Licensed Practical NurseNutritionOperations & Strategy ManagementParamedicPatient Care Support ServicesPharmacyPhysiciansProject ManagementPsychiatryPsychologyQuality and SafetyRadiation TherapyResearchRespiratory TherapyRespiratory Therapy Social WorkSonographySupply Chain/Purchasing/LogisticsSupport ServicesTherapy ServicesTrades Call Taker / Dispatcher Clerical/Secretarial Administrative/Administrative Resource Team Communications Community Health Services Data Analytics Dental Dentistry Finance / Payroll Health Information Management Human Resources/ OH&S / Education Indigenous Health Information Technology Lab Pathology Legal, Privacy, and Risk Management Medical Imaging Medical Leadership Medical Staff - Other Mental Health Mental Health Support Services Molecular Imaging and Therapy New Grad Nurse Nursing/Licensed Practical Nurse Nutrition Operations & Strategy Management Paramedic Patient Care Support Services Pharmacy Physicians Project Management Psychiatry Psychology Quality and Safety Radiation Therapy Research Respiratory Therapy Respiratory Therapy Social Work Sonography Supply Chain/Purchasing/Logistics Support Services Therapy Services Trades Select the job categories you want to be notified for. You can optionally select one or more locations as well to limit the alerts you receive to jobs in those locations. Locations AbbotsfordBurnabyCampbell RiverChilliwackCoquitlamCourtenayCranbrookDawson CreekDuncanFernieFort St. JohnHopeKamloopsKelownaLadnerLangleyMaple RidgeMissionNanaimoNelsonNew WestminsterNorth VancouverNorthern BcOliverParksvillePembertonPentictonPort CoquitlalmPort CoquitlamPort MoodyPowell RiverPrince GeorgeRichmondSaanichtonSalmon ArmSecheltSquamishSurreyVancouverVernonVictoriaWhistlerWhite Rock Abbotsford Burnaby Campbell River Chilliwack Coquitlam Courtenay Cranbrook Dawson Creek Duncan Fernie Fort St. John Hope Kamloops Kelowna Ladner Langley Maple Ridge Mission Nanaimo Nelson New Westminster Northern Bc North Vancouver Oliver Parksville Pemberton Penticton Port Coquitlalm Port Coquitlam Port Moody Powell River Prince George Richmond Saanichton Salmon Arm Sechelt Squamish Surrey Vancouver Vernon Victoria Whistler White Rock Your personal information is collected, used, and disclosed only for the purposes of delivering updates to you about career opportunities. Provincial Health Services Authority collects your information as authorized under section 26 (c) of the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). By submitting your information, you acknowledge that you have read our privacy policy and consent to receive email communication from PHSA. You may unsubscribe at any time. I accept terms of service Current employees must apply through the internal job portal (link is external) . If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca (link sends email) with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. PHSA’s values are: Compassion, Respect, Equity, Courage, Innovation. In addition, PHSA accepted six Coast Salish Teachings from Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper Shane Pointe, Siem Te’ta-in.

What you’ll do

Assess and support children and youth with behavioural, emotional, and psychiatric needs through trauma-informed counselling, developmental activities, crisis interventions, and implementation of individualized care strategies. Collaborate with families and the interprofessional team, document patient progress, support education and community integration, and transport patients as required.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care or a relevant bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Clinical Counselling with coursework related to child and youth mental health. Applicants must have two years of recent experience in a child and youth setting, a valid Class 4 driver’s license, and current CPR certification.

Listed skills

• CPR · Preferred
• Group Facilitation · Preferred
• crisis management · Preferred
• Conflict Resolution · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Child And Youth Mental Health
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Psychosocial Assessment
• Supportive Counselling
• Crisis Management
• Family Support And Education
• Group Facilitation
• Therapeutic Milieu Management
• Child And Youth Development
• Attachment And Self-Regulation Strategies
• Interprofessional Teamwork
• Written And Verbal Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Class 4 Driving
• CPR

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Social Services
• Education
• Security & Safety
• Transportation

More jobs from Sanya’k̓ula