Couples and Family Therapist (MSW/RP) – Burlington, ON

Valley Connections Counselling is a close-knit team of mental health professionals dedicated to providing counselling and psychotherapeutic support to our community. Established in 2016, we are seeking a well-trained and dedicated Couples and Family Therapist (MSW or RP) to join our team. In this role, you will provide therapeutic services to couples, families, and adult clients, primarily in-person in our Burlington clinic, supplemented at times with some virtual work.

As an independently contracted Therapist, your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting initial consults and clinical intakes with couples, families, and individual adult clients.

• Performing clinical assessments and formulations to understand complex relationship patterns, systemic dynamics, and relational distress.

• Developing individualized, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to couples and family systems.

• Implementing evidence-based psychotherapy methods (e.g., EFT, Gottman Method, Systemic Family Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Imago, PACT) to foster secure connections and resolve relational conflict.

• Facilitating effective communication, emotion regulation, and conflict-resolution strategies within couple and family units.

• Collaborating with external healthcare professionals or community agencies when necessary to ensure holistic, wrapped-around care.

• Monitoring client progress and adjusting treatment plans as clinical needs evolve.

• Maintaining accurate, timely, and up-to-date clinical records in compliance with college standards.

• Participating in case consultations, peer supervision, and team meetings as required.

• Staying informed and trained on current research and clinical developments in couples, relational, and family therapy.

Required Experience and Training

• 2–5 years of experience working with couples, families, and adults in a clinical, counselling, or therapeutic setting.

• Specialized post-graduate training and experience in couples and relational modalities (e.g., Emotionally Focused Therapy [EFT], Gottman Method Levels 1/2, Systemic Family Therapy, or Relational Life Therapy).

• Proficiency in Owl Practice software is highly desirable.

• Strong humanistic skills, including deep empathy, active listening, non-judgmental stance, and exceptional communication with diverse relationship dynamics.

• Ability to manage high-conflict dynamics, navigate multi-person clinical sessions, and manage crises effectively.

• Desire and ability to work in a collaborative in-person team environment while possessing strong independent clinical skills.

Requirements

• Education: Master of Social Work (MSW) or a Master’s degree in Counselling, Psychotherapy, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a closely related field.

• Professional Registration: Registration in good standing as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the OCSWSSW OR as a Registered Psychotherapist (RP or RP-Qualifying) with the CRPO is required.

• Willingness to engage in regular and ongoing professional development and clinical consultation as it pertains to relational practice.

• Must possess current Professional Liability Insurance and a valid Vulnerable Sector Screen (VSS).

We offer supportive admin/management staff, marketing to help fill your caseload, a warm, healthy staff environment that prioritizes the wellness of its therapists in addition to its clients, training opportunities, collaboration and networking with other professionals, regular contact with our team to reduce feelings of isolation, and a beautiful physical space to work in.