Counsellor/Psychotherapist

About the Role

To provide female-specific counselling, psychotherapy, mental health and emotional/psychological support to women accessing Dublin Simon Community and external services who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, many of whom may present with complex needs, complex trauma, suicide ideation, mental health difficulties, domestic violence, coercive control, sexual violence and significant psychosocial stressors.

Working Hours

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Type of Contract

1 year Fixed-Term

Location

Ellen Hall Inchicore

Reporting to

Counselling Service Manager

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessment and provide individual counselling/psychotherapy with adults, with a strong emphasis on women experiencing homelessness, complex trauma, mental health difficulties and complex presenting issues.
• Maintain a clinical caseload in proportion to other duties of the role and assist in the development and delivery of group facilitation, psychoeducational and training programmes.
• Establish appropriate contracts in relation to clients to facilitate the counselling process.
• Attend regular external clinical supervision in accordance with professional code of ethics and organisational policy.
• Support clients to access appropriate mental health, emotional, psychological, addiction, and social supports, ensuring referrals and signposting are trauma-informed and responsive to women’s needs.
• Provide trauma-informed emotional and psychological support to women presenting with complex needs.
• Facilitate informal drop-in counselling clinic programme as directed by manager.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of clinical practice in line with code of conduct, ethics and organisational policies.
• Support clients presenting with suicide ideation, self-harm risk, acute emotional distress or complex trauma responses.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary supports to ensure women receive coordinated, trauma-informed and person-centred responses.
• Support suicide prevention freephone on an on-call basis.
• Work closely with the women's health clinic and team to provide psychological support.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and liaise with relevant agencies.
• Assist in research projects and undertake administrative duties.
• Prepare reports, compile weekly statistics, and implement counselling software systems.
• Play an active role in service promotion, development, and evaluation.

Requirements

• Full accreditation with a professional accreditation body.
• Degree in counselling/psychotherapy or Diploma in counselling and Degree in Psychology, Social Care or Social Work.
• Understanding of childhood abuse, trauma, and homelessness.
• Experience in assessing clients’ suitability for counselling/psychotherapy.
• Ability to work within a range of therapeutic approaches.
• Experience in responding to mental health issues and managing risk.
• Knowledge of professional boundaries and support systems.
• Experience in managing client records and producing reports.
• Full or part-time experience providing counselling in a social or care setting.
• Experience in supporting clients with suicide ideation, complex trauma, and homelessness-related stressors.
• Experience in counselling evaluation tools and management software applications.

Desirable

• Masters in counselling/psychotherapy.
• Over one year full accreditation with accreditation body.
• Full driving licence.
• Ability to speak Polish or Russian.
• 12 months full-time providing counselling in a homeless service.
• Experience in outreach and in-reach informal counselling.
• Knowledge of the CAMS approach to suicidality.

Person Specification

• Client Centeredness: Promoting choice, independence, health, and well-being.
• Focused on outcomes: Effectiveness and Professional Practice.
• Commitment to effective Professional Practice and adherence to code of ethics.
• Planning and organising: Analysis & problem solving.
• Initiative and taking responsibility.
• Working Together: Leadership, Influencing, and negotiating.
• Resilience and positive outlook.

Please note: If you are unsure of any of the requirements, please contact the Recruitment Team at (01) 6354860. Shortlisting will continue throughout the recruitment process. Dublin Simon Community is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.