CHILD AND FAMILY THERAPIST – PLAY THERAPY
(Posting #1456)
ABOUT US
York Hills is a children and youth mental health agency that offers a wide range of mental health services, supports and partnerships providing meaningful and evidence informed/based treatment to children, and youth, aged 0 to 18 years, and their families.
To learn more about us, including our mission, vision and values please visit our website https://www.yorkhills.ca/
BENEFITS
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Full extended health and dental, life insurance, EAP, LTD and RRSP plan.
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Generous paid time-off includes vacation and sick days.
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Commitment to employee development through internal and external training and development opportunities.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Employment Status:
Permanent Part-time
Salary Range:
$69,514 - $73,746, pro-rated to 0.5 FTE
Location:
402 Bloomington Road, Aurora, L4G 0L9 This position will require travel within York Region.
Hours of Work:
Seventeen and a half (17.5) hours/week; includes two (2) evenings per week.
Number of Vacancies or Evergreen Role:
01
Reporting to the Manager of Clinical Services, the Child and Family Therapist (CFT) is an integral part of the Play Therapy Program, providing direct service to children and youth, up to age 18, and their families. The primary focus of this role will be to address a range of mental health needs, both emotional and behavioural, and identify social-emotional symptoms that may challenge a client’s ability to function at home, school and in social settings. The CFT will work within a multidisciplinary team, developing assessments and treatment strategies to benefit the overall wellbeing of the client. Work also includes providing consultation, education and case management. The Child and Family Therapist will remain knowledgeable on current and emerging research pertaining to clinical frameworks and industry best practices, including collaborating with various staff and upholding the Agency’s Mission, Vision and Values while fostering a positive workplace environment.
Client Service Responsibilities
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Assists in promoting and supporting the Mission, Vision, and Value statements, ensuring adherence to operational and service policies and procedures while maintaining ethical conduct.
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Demonstrates a strong understanding of ethical behaviour and professional conduct, including contributing to ensuring ethical standards are upheld and participation in quality improvement standards.
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Engages in best practices in family engagement to build positive rapport with clients, building on psychological safety and trust through relationship-building, clinical practices and attuned communication with families.
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Creates clinically sound, thorough and well-formulated initial assessment reports that include collaborative goal-setting that reflects the voice of the child, youth and family.
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Actively manages a full case load of files for clients aligned with agency-endorsed theoretical frameworks such as Attachment Theory, Neurobiology, Trauma, Child Development and Family Systems Theory, including family therapy.
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Ensures the use of evidence-based and evidence-informed play therapy practices to maintain fidelity in practicing with clients and families/caregivers, including the provision of psychoeducation as needed.
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Develops and facilitates groups, webinars and workshops as needed.
Program Support Responsibilities
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Collaborates within a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective communication pertaining to client treatment plan development, progress and integration.
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Participates in regular team meetings to discuss administrative, clinical and learning concerns that impact the team and/or clients, including problem-solving and providing knowledge-based sharing of industry best practices.
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Provides timely provision of reports according to internal policies and procedures, including licensing requirements and accreditation standards.
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Supports the implementation of quality assurance and evaluation processes that involve the monitoring, collection, and recording of clinical and service data, including submitting data in a timely manner and in accordance with internal policies and procedures.
Administrative and Organizational Responsibilities
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Maintains a system of documentation and reporting that is consistent with quality assurance standards and procedures, legislation, accreditation and best practices.
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Ensures client files are maintained in accordance with quality assurance standards and procedures, legislation, accreditation and best practices.
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Works with Human Resources to ensure memberships, licenses, background checks and certifications are up to date via submission of required documents on ADP.
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Actively participates in the accreditation processes.
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Participates in regular supervision with the Manager of Clinical Services and engages in ongoing professional development as applies to the role and agency policies.
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Builds and maintains interactions with colleagues focused on individual, team and organization success.
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Performs work in a safe manner and adheres to the established health and safety measures of the organization.
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Actively supports Equity, Diversity and Inclusion drivers, including fostering a welcoming and safe space, where people can expect to be treated fairly, equitably and in a culturally responsive way.
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Attends and participates in required training and meetings.
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Other duties as assigned.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
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Completion of a post-secondary degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling and/or a combination of education and experience.
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Membership in a relevant professional regulatory body such as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, College of Psychologist and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario etc.
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Training in Play Therapy, including Theraplay®, are essential for this position. Other areas of focus considered an asset include music therapy, art therapy and expressive therapies.
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Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience.
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Knowledge of child and youth mental health legislation and regulations, including child protection and education systems.
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Knowledge of the controlled act of psychotherapy (CRPO, OCSWSSW or Nursing) is mandatory.
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A willingness to work flexible hours, including two (2) evenings per week
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Competence in modelling professionalism and maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
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Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including editing skills with attention to detail.
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Knowledge of child and youth development, family systems and neurobiology, including community and agency programs and services to support the transition of age youth and adults.
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Strong knowledge of evidence-based and evidence-informed treatment modalities, including but not limited to; Play Therapies, Theraplay®, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Emotion Focused Skill Training, Emotion Focused Family Therapy, Trauma-Informed, Attachment-Based Therapy and responsive therapies.
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Experience working with children and youth living with mental health including low mood, anxiety, strained social relationships, trauma, psychiatric diagnoses, learning disabilities and difficult family dynamics.
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Demonstrates sound judgement related to the development of collaborative approaches working with children, youth and their families, including high-risk circumstances and safety planning.
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Experience utilizing suicide risk assessments and intervention skills.
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Demonstrates versatility in the ability to work independently and collaboratively to support agency and program goals.
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Excellent organizational, solution-based problem-solving and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
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Experience facilitating groups, webinars and workshops.
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Functional technological skills (e.g., Office 365, MS Office, SharePoint, software applications).
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Awareness and appreciation for the dynamics of equity issues (diversity, equity and inclusion), especially as it relates to gender, ethnicity, race, and economic status.
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Identification with the strategic mission, vision and values of the organization including inclusion, collaboration, people centred, knowledgeable and courageous.
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Must possess a satisfactory Police Record Check.
Don’t check all the boxes? We encourage you to apply anyway
NICE TO HAVES:
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Applicants with fluency in another language are encouraged to apply.
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Fluency in American Sign Language.
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Mental Health First Aid Certificate
ON-BOARDING REQUIREMENTS:
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Police Vulnerable Sector Screening Check (VSS), within the last 180 days.
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Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a reliable motor vehicle.
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Proof of automobile insurance.
HOW TO APPLY:
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.
York Hills is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace. We believe in cultivating a selection process and employment environment without discrimination or harassment, that is inclusive and barrier free.
York Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, should you require a code-protected accommodation, through any stage of the recruitment and selection process, please contact Human Resources.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used in the applicant screening process by our applicant tracking system (ATS) based on job-related criteria. Our recruitment team reviews all applications and decides which candidates will move forward in our process.
We encourage you to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to this role within your application.
Please submit your cover letter and resume to our online portal by June 9, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.
