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Counselor Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated October 8, 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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7 min read

A counsellor is a mental health professional who assists individuals and groups in identifying, understanding, and overcoming personal challenges while working toward their goals. Counsellors work in a variety of settings, including private practice, counselling centres, family therapy centres, educational, healthcare and rehabilitation facilities, and social service agencies. They may specialize in specific areas and might practise psychotherapy.

Counsellor duties and responsibilities

A counsellor helps clients identify and understand their problems through interviews, preparing case histories, and maintaining detailed and confidential client records. Successful counsellors are skilled at assessing challenges, evaluating client needs, and creating personalized treatment plans and intervention programs to assist them in setting goals and the means to attain them. They often coordinate with other healthcare providers, agencies and community resources, and provide referrals. Other duties and responsibilities of a counsellor include:

  • Helping clients develop coping mechanisms related to stress and trauma
  • Teaching skills for resolving interpersonal problems
  • Helping clients overcome addictions
  • Monitoring client progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of programs and interventions
  • Assessing client progress in resolving identified problems and moving toward defined objectives
  • Preparing assessments, progress reports, follow-ups and court reports

Counsellors may also provide witness testimony in court proceedings and conduct research, publish research papers, educational texts and articles, and deliver conference presentations.

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Counselor Job Description Examples:

Example 1

Waskoosis Safe Shelter – Counselor Employment Opportunity The Meadow Lake Tribal Council is seeking a compassionate, energetic, motivated individual to fill a Counsellor position. This is a one (1) year term position located at the Waskoosis Safe Shelter. Under the direction of the Waskoosis Safe Shelter Manager, the Counselor assesses client needs and supports required, i.e., crisis and distress counseling; client case management; and develop/implement client programs. You must be able to work shift work during the day, night, and/or weekends. Duties
  • Assess client’s physical, emotional and mental needs, and determine the client’s needs.
  • Plan, develop, support and implement a program specific to client’s needs.
  • Provide clients with support, crisis and distress counseling.
  • Case Management: complete and maintain client forms, records and reports, etc.
  • Ensure the security and protection of the clients and their families.
  • Responsible for house management during shift.
  • Provide support connection to services to assist the clients to progressive planning to include school, housing, transportation within the geographic perimeter of Meadow Lake.
  • Outreach and network with Human Service agencies such as the Meadow Lake North West Friendship Centre, Meadow Lake Door of Hope, and other agencies in and around North Western Saskatchewan as needed.
  • Liaise with: Social Services Department, legal, medical and police departments, First Nation Health & Social Development and Health Services teams, housing authorities and real estate companies.
  • Other duties as assigned by the Waskoosis Safe Shelter Manager. Qualifications Minimum: · Relevant Experience & Education may be considered Preferred: · Diploma in Human Services with knowledge in Mental Health, Addictions, and Interpersonal Violence.

Example 2

Shalom Inc. is committed to the provision of safe, nurturing residential and support services for young people, who are in the care of Child, Youth and Family Services. We work in partnership with the young person, the family and the community to promote the individual’s physical, social, behavioural, educational and spiritual development.

We are currently accepting applications for the position(s) of:

Group Home Counsellor (Relief)

Duties: Aid in the development and implementation of Individual Programs, participate in both

in-house and community programs, supervision of residents, reporting of behavioural patterns of youth within the residential unit, and assist in the daily management of the unit. Shift work will be required.

Qualifications: A minimum of two (2) years post-secondary course work at the university or

college level with a concentration in the Social Sciences (Child and Youth Care, Psychology,Social Work or related discipline). Experience in working with youth in crisis and/or residentialcare would be considered an asset. Applicant is required to have an awareness of child and youth development and the effects of violence and abuse on youth. Applicant must have a commitment toculturally sensitive and appropriate services that recognize and respect aboriginal cultural identity anddiversity. Applicant must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and be able to participatein a team structure to carry out the mandate and program goals for the young people and the organization. Applicants are required to have a valid First Aid/CPR certificate, a current Certificate of Conduct as well as Vulnerable Sector Check. Applicants must agree to a CSSD Records Check. A valid driver’s license and a driver’s abstract is a [website] is in accordance with NAPE Collective Agreement.

Please forward Resumes to:

Shalom Inc.

Suite 411, Unit 50

Hamlyn Road Plaza

St. John’s, NL

A1E 5X7

No telephone calls please.

Closing Date:

November 30th, 2022

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest, but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Part-time, Casual

Salary: From $24.53 per hour

Benefits:
  • RRSP match
Flexible Language Requirement:
  • French not required
Schedule:
  • On call

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • ST. JOHN'S, NL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Education:
  • Secondary School (required)

Work Location: One location

Application deadline: start date: 2022-12-01

Example 3

  • Primary role is to work with the camp shadows and oversee the daily activities for kids with special needs
  • Counselor will oversee the shadow and child's progress to help children integrate and participate in camp activities (ex: youth with ADHD, anxiety, Down syndrome, autism) in our inclusive camp, ages 5-12 years old
  • There will be a maximum of 4 children with special needs, per week and they will have one shadow helper each
  • Counselor will assist with regular monitoring of shadows and their campers
  • Regular communication with family of camper
  • Creating stimulating, engaging, fun and educational activities for the campers
  • Assist in lesson planning
  • Assist shadows and their youth on outings.
  • Assist children to participate in all camp activities, according to their abilities
  • Greet, acknowledge, and interact with campers in a friendly, caring and professional manner.
  • Report to Camp Director and child's parents about the child's progress and daily participation.
  • Ensure that all health and safety criteria, child's needs and parents requests are met and properly followed, including that medications are taken and stored properly.

Must be available from June 25 - August 9, 2024. 1-3 weeks before the start of camp (June 25)

Required experience & Skills:
  • 1 year of special needs experience
  • Enjoys working with children
  • Once hired, the employee will have to complete their first aid and CPR certification (Training will be provided)
  • Will need to complete a background check
  • Have studied in programs such as Special Care Counseling, Human Relations, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, etc is an asset
  • Experience in summer camps, youth programs, recreation work, leadership roles, previous camp counselor experience, or working with children is an asset
  • Strong communication skills (English and French is an asset)
  • Professionalism, patience, positive attitude, organized and able to multi-task
  • Living in the West Island is an asset
  • Able to commute to work in Pierrefonds
  • Work well in a team setting or independently

Physical requirements
  • Energetic, and is comfortable working outdoors as well as indoors

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 8 weeks

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • No weekends



Education:
  • DCS / DEC (required)

Experience:
  • Special needs: 1 year (required)

Language:
  • English (required)
  • French (preferred)


Work Location: In start date: 2024-06-25

Example 4

Mulmur, ON

Wage:$22.00/hour

Pine River Institute is a live-in treatment center for youth 13 to 19 years of age struggling with substance abuse and addictive behaviours. Our program includes; a therapeutic wilderness program phase near Algonquin Park, followed by a live-in phase at our campus located on a 200-acre site 100 kms northwest of Toronto. Our program uses a progressive discharge approach that is complemented by an aftercare program. Our family-centered program is innovative and highly structured, and creates opportunities for adolescents to engage in a focused transformation process through a fusion of education, therapy, recreation, and life skills. The majority of our students are from Ontario. We receive funding support from the Ministry of Health and academic support through the Ministry of Education.

The ideal candidates will possess strong leadership, relationship, communication and positive role modeling skills. This position reports to the Team Therapist and Program Manager with responsibilities that include but are not limited to; organizing, leading and participating in student’s daily academic, work, recreational and therapeutic activities.

Key Responsibilities

  • Ensuring the physical and emotional safety of students during the night (10:00PM – 8:00AM) through visual checks every 15 minutes
  • Remaining awake through the night and respond to all emergencies and incidents
  • Providing exceptional leadership, mentoring and positive relationships with students
  • Contribute, as part of a multi-disciplinary therapeutic team to evaluate student progress by keeping up to date with training, organizational updates
  • Organize, lead and participate in daily student activities including daily life routines
  • Food preparation and related kitchen duties
  • Help ensure the therapeutic goals of the program in general and the individual therapeutic plan for the students are realized
  • Complete any assigned administrative support duties
  • Complete any supportive housekeeping/maintenance duties as assigned
  • Manage and de-escalate conflictual and/or crisis situations (ie: student disagreements, AWOLs, etc.)
  • Participate in an on-call rotation to support staffing schedule, as necessary
  • Other duties as required

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

  • Demonstrated sound judgment, integrity, patience, commitment and a sense of humour
  • Some experience with and training in child and youth care practices
  • Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and professional
  • Demonstrated commitment to personal growth and development
  • Valid First Aid Certification & Level ‘C’ CPR
  • Valid Drivers License

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and the opportunity to be part of an exciting and innovative program.

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to Jess Bondy, Human Resources Manager or by Fax at [phone number] or mail to Administration Office at 485289 County Rd 11 Unit 1, Shelburne ON L9V 3M8.

We thank all candidates who apply. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Pine River Institute ensures that all recruiting processes are non-discriminatory and barrier-free. If you require accommodation, please advise in advance of attending an interview.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 23 per week

Salary: From $22.00 per hour

Benefits:
  • Casual dress
  • Dental care
  • Disability insurance
  • Discounted or free food
  • Employee assistance program
  • Extended health care
  • Life insurance
  • On-site parking
  • Paid time off
Schedule:
  • 10 hour shift
  • Night shift
  • On call
  • Weekends as needed
Supplemental pay types:
  • Overtime pay

Work In person

Example 5

A place where ALL abilities can thrive! We have been providing support services for over 30 years and have grown to 5 Day Programs, 22 Residences, as well as Respite and Supported Independent Living services in multiple locations in the GTA. We tailor all programming to respect and meet the individual needs of people with developmental disabilities, persons with dual diagnoses, and individuals with multiple disabilities. We are committed to creating environments where ALL individuals can be supported to reach their greatest potential.

Meta offers a wide spectrum of services and personalized supports to help people live in inclusive engaged and enriched lives in the community.

Position: Full-Time Residential Counselor (Union Position)

Rate of Pay:$24.33/hour

Current Location:Scarborough

Hours and Days of Work

- Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm (40 hours/week)

Qualifications

  • Diploma or degree program in a related field (Developmental Services Worker, Social Service Worker, Community Service Worker, Behavioural Science, Recreation and Leisure)
  • At least one year of experience working with individuals that have developmental disabilities
  • Must have experience dealing with challenging behaviors because of the possibility of working with aggressive clients
  • Must have a valid G driver’s licence
  • Strong written and oral communication as well as problem-solving skills.
  • Must have the ability to work as a team and independently
  • French language is an asset

Job Duties

This position is for our Residential Program Services. We have 24/7 care group homes for our clients. Our residents participate in cooking, baking and general upkeep of their homes to enhance independent living skills and encourage a sense of responsibility and ownership. As a staff, you will be providing support to our individuals in activities of daily living, cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene. You are also responsible for planning outings, community integration, medication, documentation and ongoing supervision of clients.

  • To work hands-on with individuals that have developmental disabilities in a residential group home environment.
  • Duties will include but are not limited to personal care, bathing, toileting and assisting with activities of daily living.
  • To also assist with preparing nutritional meals, administer medication, complete appropriate paperwork and documentation, attend meetings, accompany individuals to appointments, and other related duties.
  • Responsible for transporting clients in company vans to outings and/to from programs
  • Provide support in daily living as needed and assist in planning leisure activities in the community

Why Join Us:

  • Meta is a leader within the developmental services sector
  • Employee recognition program – rewarding and recognizing employee service
  • Employee discounts for various service providers such as Telus, Goodlife, etc.
  • Career Development – trainings and opportunities for growth
  • Competitive benefits package for full-time positions
  • Years of Service recognition

Meta Centre welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $24.33 per hour

Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday

Education:
  • DCS / DEC (preferred)

Experience:
  • supporting individuals with developmental disabilities: 1 year Location: In person
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a counsellor do?

A counsellor is vital to the success of their organization and its clients. While their specific duties may vary according to the type of facility and the counsellor’s area of expertise, they are qualified individuals who provide support and treatment options to patients with mental health issues. Counsellors help patients develop coping strategies to address their mental health needs and guide them through treatments. They listen to patients, ask questions to analyze their mental health, and create effective treatment strategies to help patients improve their lives.

Counsellor skills and qualifications

Counsellors are qualified and certified professionals trained to assess and treat mental health issues. A successful counsellor possesses a range of hard and soft skills, including:

  • Excellent oral and written communication abilities
  • Ability to empathize with clients
  • Active listening skills
  • Ability to leverage internal and external resources as part of a client treatment plan
  • Experience in writing assessments and reports to monitor client progress
  • Social perceptiveness, including the ability to negotiate and persuade

Counsellor experience requirements

Most employers require a minimum of two years of experience working as a professional counsellor and a demonstrated ability to develop effective and appropriate treatment plans. Experience from internships or supervised clinical experience during education and licensing may count toward this requirement. In some cases, a combination of educational experience, clinical experience and internship experience is desirable.

Counsellor education and training requirements

A counsellor in Canada typically requires a master’s degree in counselling, therapy, mental health, psychology or a related social service discipline and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) certification through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). This includes completing the specific coursework, direct practice, and having a clear criminal record background check to practice. A period of supervised clinical work with clients may also be compulsory in some provinces or territories.

Most employers require counsellors to be members of a provincial or federal association. Counsellors must register with a provincial regulatory body in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario. In Quebec, a permit is necessary to practise psychotherapy, and marriage and family therapists, psychoeducators, sexologists and criminologists must also register with a regulatory body.

Counsellor salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a counsellor is $46,057 per year. The salary may be dependent on experience, location, and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description for a counsellor does not match what you’re looking for, some relevant positions that may be closer to your needs include:

Counsellor job description FAQs

What is the difference between a counsellor and a therapist in Canada?

A counsellor generally addresses short-term, current issues, such as coping with loss, addiction, or relationship problems. They provide advice aimed at resolving these specific concerns. In contrast, therapists work on broader issues, including underlying patterns and experiences. Therapy can be a long-term process that lasts for months or even years.

Are counsellors in demand in Canada?

The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts a steady demand for therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies across most provinces for the 2024–2026 period. Several new positions are projected to become available due to employment growth, while a moderate number of positions will open up due to retirements.

What is the difference between a Canadian Certified Counsellor and a Registered Clinical Counsellor?

A Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) is registered with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs) are registered with a provincial or territorial association. A CCC can practise anywhere in Canada, while an RCC may be restricted to the province or territory where they are registered.

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Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

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