Addictions Counsellor

Why This Role Exists

We recognize that to truly support the youth we serve, we must also support the adults in their lives. Many parents and guardians we work with are simultaneously battling addictions while trying to be present for their children. Additionally, some of the youth in our care are themselves navigating struggles with alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medication misuse.

Addictions Counsellors at BSR will bring a compassionate, evidence-based approach to recovery — working alongside our existing nursing, behavioral therapy, and speech-language pathology teams to provide whole-family, whole-child care.

Role Overview

The Addictions Counsellor is a client-centered clinical professional responsible for assessing, supporting, and counselling individuals struggling with substance use and addictive behaviours. At BSR, this role serves two distinct populations:

Parents and guardians of BSR-enrolled youth who are living with active addiction and are ready to seek help.

Youth enrolled in BSR programs who are experiencing substance use challenges, including alcohol, cannabis, illicit drugs, and/or prescription medication misuse.

The Addictions Counsellor collaborates closely with the broader care team to ensure integrated, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive support for every client.

Key Responsibilities

1. Assessment & Intake

Conduct comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments of new clients to determine the nature, extent, and impact of substance use.

Screen for co-occurring mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma) and coordinate referrals as required.

Develop individualized addiction treatment and recovery plans in collaboration with the client, their support network, and the BSR care team.

Assess risk factors including suicidal ideation, domestic violence, child safety concerns, and housing instability.

2. Counselling & Therapeutic Support

Provide individual counselling sessions using evidence-based modalities including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).

Facilitate psycho-educational sessions for youth and families on topics such as the neuroscience of addiction, relapse prevention, and healthy coping strategies.

Support clients through all stages of the change model — from pre-contemplation to maintenance and recovery.

Deliver crisis intervention and safety planning for clients in acute distress.

Conduct group counselling sessions for youth and/or parent groups as program needs dictate.

3. Recovery Planning & Goal Setting

Collaboratively establish short- and long-term recovery goals with each client.

Monitor and document progress toward recovery milestones and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

Support clients in identifying and building upon personal strengths, protective factors, and community supports.

Facilitate connections to external resources, including detoxification services, harm reduction programs, 12-step or SMART Recovery groups, and sober living communities.

4. Youth-Specific Addictions Work

Engage youth through developmentally appropriate, youth-centred counselling frameworks.

Address peer pressure, social media influence, and environmental risk factors unique to adolescent substance use.

Provide psycho-education on the impact of early substance use on brain development and long-term health.

Work with youth on building refusal skills, emotional regulation, and prosocial relationships.

Liaise with schools, parents/guardians, and youth justice workers as appropriate.

5. Family & Caregiver Support

Provide psycho-education and coaching to family members to help them understand addiction and how to support their loved one in recovery.

Address family dynamics, enabling behaviours, and intergenerational trauma patterns that may contribute to substance use.

Support parents and guardians in maintaining healthy boundaries while fostering attachment and connection with their children.

Connect families to Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, or other peer support networks as appropriate.

6. Harm Reduction & Relapse Prevention

Apply a harm reduction lens to care delivery — meeting clients where they are without judgment.

Develop personalized relapse prevention plans that identify triggers, warning signs, and coping strategies.

Provide education on overdose prevention, naloxone use, safer use practices, and withdrawal management expectations.

Support clients in developing emergency plans for high-risk situations.

7. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure integrated, coordinated care for shared clients.

Collaborate with BSR's nurses, behavioral therapists, and speech-language pathologists to address the full complexity of client needs.

Communicate effectively with external professionals including physicians, psychiatrists, probation officers, and child welfare workers.

Provide consultation and education to BSR colleagues on addiction-related topics.

8. Documentation & Compliance

Maintain accurate, timely, and FOIP-compliant clinical records, including intake assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge summaries.

Adhere to BSR's CARF accreditation standards, policies, and quality improvement processes.

Complete mandatory incident reports, critical incident reviews (CIRs), and risk documentation as required.

Uphold confidentiality obligations and navigate mandatory reporting requirements with skill and professionalism.