Job Title: Gender-Based Violence and Couples Therapist

Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Hybrid Model)

Job Type: Independent Contractor

Changing Tides Therapy is a private practice built on the principles of trauma-informed care, feminism, and social justice. We're passionate about providing specialized, compassionate counselling to individuals and couples.

Our mission is to create a supportive and collaborative environment for therapists while empowering our clients to heal, build resilience, and find their own path to safety and empowerment.

We are actively seeking a skilled and dedicated professional to join us as an independent contractor in this unique and vital role.

Please visit our website to learn more about Changing Tides Therapy.

As a Mental Health Therapist, you will enjoy a high degree of clinical autonomy, managing your own schedule, caseload, and therapeutic approach. Your work will focus on providing comprehensive, person-centered care to a diverse clientele navigating a wide range of psychological, emotional, and relational challenges. Whether working with individuals, couples, or groups, you will foster a safe, supportive environment to help clients build resilience, heal, and achieve their therapeutic goals.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience providing counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, or families. Experience utilizing trauma-informed care practices is highly valued.

Asset Experience: Previous experience working in community mental health centers, private practice, hospitals, or non-profit mental health agencies is considered a strong asset.

Professional Registration: Must be a member in good standing with a valid license to practice psychotherapy in Ontario, in accordance with the Psychotherapy Act, 2007, under one of the following regulatory bodies:

• College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

• Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

• College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO)

• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO)

• College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) – specifically Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners qualified to practice psychotherapy.

Advanced Training: Specialized training in recognized, evidence-based modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, EFT, ACT, EMDR) and established couples/family therapy frameworks.

Legal & Ethical Knowledge: Deep familiarity with relevant Ontario legislation, including the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, duty to report mandates, and the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPPA).

Language: Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset.

Clinical Assessment & Frameworks: A robust understanding of human development, psychopathology, and trauma-informed care, with the ability to conceptualize cases using diverse therapeutic lenses.

Risk & Crisis Management: Proficiency in conducting thorough risk and lethality assessments (e.g., suicidality, self-harm, safety planning) and the capacity to respond effectively and calmly in crisis situations.

Therapeutic Alliance: Exceptional skill in establishing a safe, trusting, and egalitarian therapeutic relationship with a diverse clientele.

Intersectional Awareness: Detailed knowledge of mental health symptoms and an appreciation for how intersectional identities (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status) influence a client's lived experience and systemic barriers.

Systemic Collaboration: The ability to navigate and collaborate effectively with external systems (e.g., medical, legal, community resources) to advocate for clients without compromising their autonomy.

Reflective Practice: High capacity for self-reflection, keen awareness of counter-transference, and a strong commitment to clinical supervision, ethical boundaries, and self-care.

Cultural Humility: Strong ethical judgment and cultural competence, with a foundational commitment to fostering client self-empowerment and resilience.

This independent contractor role offers compensation ranging from $90-120 per hour, based on experience. The role will begin with a part-time caseload of one half-day to one full day per week, with a clear pathway to grow your practice over time.

You'll have the flexibility to create a schedule that works for you, and we offer a hybrid model where you'll have the option to work from our office in Nepean. You will be responsible for sourcing your own clinical supervision to ensure best practices. You'll be part of a team of like-minded independent contractors for peer consultation and support. An optional AI tool for secure note-taking will be provided to streamline your administrative duties.

If you are a compassionate, skilled, and ethically-driven therapist who is ready to make a significant impact, we invite you to apply!

Please submit a resume or CV and cover letter detailing your experience and why you believe you would be a great fit for our clinical practice group.

Send your application to hello@changetidestherapy.com at any time.

We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment and selection experience for all applicants and interested candidates. If accommodations are required during any part of the hiring process (including the phone screening and the virtual interview), please email let us know via email how we can make this experience more accessible for you. Candidates selected for the phone screening and virtual interview will receive the questions two hours before the scheduled meeting time.

Questions about this position can be directed to hello@changetidestherapy.com.