Mental Health Counsellor

Discover

The Opportunity

The Mental Health Counsellor is responsible to provide brief short-term counselling for a range of personal concerns associated with adjustment to and stressors resulting from student life at university. The Counsellor will provide timely care and support that is sensitive to the academic and learning culture of the student and the university. Where student counselling needs go beyond the mental health resources of the university, the Counsellor will guide and assist students in gaining access to additional resources. The Counsellor will assist in the development and promotion of mental health awareness campaigns and provide the institution information and advice regarding mental health and will help to champion NSCAD's Strategic Plan. The Counsellor will also provide strategic advice to the Director, Equity and Community Supports. The Counsellor will collaborate with university staff, faculty, and the Student Union of NSCAD University (SUNSCAD) to instill further a positive and caring culture of respect for diversity, and mental health and wellness.

What you'll do

Responsibilities

• Regularly conduct counselling sessions with NSCAD students.
• Provide assessments of mental health and risk factors, and coordinate referrals with professionals at external agencies when necessary.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of mental health concerns and issues in a variety of educational contexts.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the Municipal, Provincial, and Federal mental health systems, and initiatives.
• Aid students in identifying and solving emotional and interpersonal problems that may be affecting their academic success, well-being, or social development.
• Work in collaboration with University staff, faculty, students, and the Student Union of NSCAD University (SUNSCAD) and external stakeholders.
• Encourage students to seek appropriate professional help and to attend appointments.
• Write referral reports for review by other health care professionals.
• Review, assess and recommend changes to enhance the effectiveness of the delivery service model.
• As required on an ad-hoc bases (e.g. in the event of a significant crisis on campus), provide counselling services to employees.
• Other duties as required

What you'll need

Qualifications

A Graduate degree in a related field such as Social Work, Counselling, or Education plus a minimum of three (3) year of counselling experience, preferably in a post-secondary environment (or an equivalent combination of training and experience) is required. Strong writing skills are required. A recognized professional counselling designation such as Canadian Certified Counsellor is required, and Registered Counselling Therapist is preferred. Crisis response training is an asset.

A little bit about us

NSCAD University

NSCAD University and Halifax are in Mi'kma'ki, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq Nation. NSCAD University is committed to reconciliation and to building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and with the African Nova Scotian communities that have been enriching this region for 400 years. As a small school with three urban campuses, and programs across a range of fine arts, craft, design, and media arts, NSCAD University is an incubator for talent and an active contributor to the arts scene in Canada's fastest-growing city. Since 1887, NSCAD has been a leader in visual arts education in Canada, with distinguished alumni building careers all over the world.

Are you interested?

Work With Us

Applications should be sent via the CareerBeacon website. Applications should include a cover letter and detailed CV.

Deadline for applications: The University will begin considering applicants on July 27th, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. We appreciate all applicants, however only those selected to move forward in the competition will be contacted.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority in this search. NSCAD university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.