Child & Youth Play Therapist (Independent Contractor)-Travelling

Job Summary

Dalton Associates is seeking to hire a Child & Youth Play Therapist who will facilitate programming and services to support the mental health and wellness of children and youth through developmentally appropriate, play-based therapeutic interventions, in collaboration with community-led healing solutions.

The purpose of this role is to provide therapeutic services that will foster emotional expression, resilience, healing and healthy development among children and youth experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, and environmental stressors. This role will provide opportunities for improving mental wellness and child and family engagement. This role will also involve relationship building and collaborating with caregivers, schools, community members, and traditional healing supports to strengthen protective factors, assess community needs and promote overall wellness.

Responsibilities

• Ensure therapeutic interventions are culturally responsive and aligned with community values, teachings, and traditional healing practices.
• Collaborate with the traditional mental health team and community partners to support holistic wellness.
• Utilize strengths-based, trauma-informed, and play-based therapeutic approaches.
• Provide psychoeducation, emotional regulation skill development, and mental health support to children, youth, and caregivers.
• Engage in harm reduction strategies and promote health equity with individuals and families impacted by barriers to various Social Determinants of Health;

Child Therapist Tasks Include:

• Provide confidential, culturally attuned, in-person and remote play therapy / counseling for children aged 5 – 12 who are referred for support;
• Facilitate therapeutic play interventions that support emotional expression, trauma recovery, social skills development, self-esteem, and resilience.
• Provide consultation, education, and support to parents, caregivers, and families regarding child development, emotional wellbeing, and therapeutic goals.
• Develop and coordinate individual and group-based child mental health and wellness programming for those 5 – 12 years of age, based upon the community needs and recommendations;
• Collaborate with school counsellors, educators, and community service providers to identify children and youth requiring support.
• Collaborate with school counselors and participate in the development and delivery of child and youth mental health school-based programs;
• Collaborate with school counselors and participate in the development and delivery of parent supports, psychoeducation, and skill development alongside community-led healing solutions;
• Oversee evaluation and treatment planning for children and youth accessing services, and monitor progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary;
• Maintain accurate case records and prepare necessary statistical reports, and;
• Case management of the mental wellness services that contribute to a plan of care for children and families.

Requirements and Logistics:

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapy, Child and Youth Care, or a related field.
• Formal training and experience in Play Therapy; certification or eligibility for certification in Play Therapy is considered a strong asset.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing therapeutic play therapy services to children and youth aged 5–12 years.
• Experience working with trauma, attachment concerns, emotional regulation, behavioural challenges, and child mental health concerns.
• Experience working in First Nations communities, with knowledge of First Nation wellness and priorities;
• Minimum requirement of 2 years’ experience working in the mental health field;
• Minimum requirement of 2 years’ experience in counselling children and youth ages 5 to 12 years old;
• Ability to work on a flexible schedule with dedicated time in/time out of the community;
• Individual with Indigenous background is an asset;
• Fluency in Cree language is an asset.

This independent contractor role pays $800 per day while in community.

Dalton Associates is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Reasonable accommodations will be made available upon request for candidates taking part in any step of the recruitment and selection process.

Only successful candidates will be contracted for an interview.