• York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families

  is offering a rare and unique opportunity to Child and Family Therapists who wish to pursue a career in Play Therapy

  York Hills is a children’s mental health agency serving children and families in York Region. York Hills offers a wide range of mental health services, supports and partnerships providing meaningful and evidence informed/based treatment to children, youth and families.

  Benefits: Full Extended Health & Dental, Life Insurance, EAP, STD, LTD and RRSP plan. Generous paid time off including vacation, sick and personal days.

  Location: The Hybrid Work Plan developed for this role presently requires this position to work in a combination of work from home and work on site with equipment provided by York Hills. The successful candidate will work primarily in our Aurora Office, located 402 Bloomington Rd., Aurora ON, with flexibility to work from home. This position at times requires travel within York Region client visits, training or meetings.

  Position overview:

  We are seeking an exceptional clinician to join our Play Therapy team. As a clinician you are familiar with play therapy and would like your career to include Theraplay® and Play Therapy. While you may not have play therapy training now, this position is different because in exchange for a commitment to work on the play therapy team, we will support you to get the training you need, through CAPT (Canadian Association of Play Therapy) and Theraplay® Canada. We are looking for a person who would embrace this opportunity to learn, and in return would bring their passion, team spirit and clinical expertise to the play therapy team.

  Working as a Child and Family Therapist in our Play Therapy Program your key responsibilities include:

• Assessment, case coordination, case formulation and treatment planning grounded in the following theoretical constructs: trauma, attachment, ecosystems, neurobiology, child development and anti-oppressive practice.
• Providing MIM assessments, play therapy, sand tray therapy using a family centered approach.
• Delivering single session and brief therapy using a solution focused brief therapy model.
• Facilitating groups, workshops and webinars.
• Participating in quality assurance, evaluation and research activities, as required.

• We are looking for an exceptional individual who has:

• Passion for and a keen interest in Play Therapy treatment approaches including Child focused play therapy, sand tray therapy, Theraplay®, and MIM.
• Familiarity with evidenced based/informed treatment modalities including but not limited to CBT, SFBT, EFST and family therapy.
• Knowledge and understanding of infant, child and adolescent development.
• Knowledge of community-based programs including those for transitional age youth and adult services.
• Demonstrated sound judgement related to the development of collaborative approaches working with children, youth and their families; including high-risk circumstances and safety planning.
• Ability to meet the needs of a diverse client base, through knowledge and application of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, anti-racist and culturally competent practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, exercising professional judgement in conflictual and stressful situations.
• Proven group/workshop facilitation skills, utilizing evidence-based practices.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Advanced written language skills and ability to complete documentation within given timelines.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule that includes up to two evenings per week.
• This position will require the Play Therapist to be comfortable and willing to learn how to deliver tele-play services, as well as in person therapy under the guidance of agency guidelines and York Region Public Health directives. 

Here is what you will need:

• Masters of Social Work, Masters of Counselling Psychology (or equivalent), registration with an appropriate governing body, and at least 1-2 years of experience within a children’s mental health setting.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a relevant discipline (i.e. psychology, counselling, education) with a minimum of 5-7 years’ experience within a children’s mental health setting, registration with an appropriate governing body and you have in-depth knowledge of and experience with theories, principles and practices of social work.
• Diploma holders with equivalent knowledge, full registration with an appropriate governing body and 10 years of experience may also be considered.
• Commitment to obtaining recognized training leading to certification in Play Therapy or Expressive Arts (i.e./CAPT foundations training).
• Access to a private, confidential home office space with high speed internet.
• Access to a reliable vehicle and ability to travel to other community-based settings as needed.
• Must be fluent speaking, writing and reading in English. Fluency in other languages is an asset.

York Hills is strongly committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals including applicants from all cultures, racialized communities, abilities, diverse sexual and gender identities and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We encourage you to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to this role within your application

York Hills is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace. We believe in a cultivating a selection process and employment environment without discrimination or harassment, that is inclusive and barrier free. 

We ask applicants to make any accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance and we will arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.

APPLY TODAY!

Please email your cover letter and resume to: [email protected]

Only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted.