Youth Therapist

Join a leading CBT-focused clinic in Ottawa and make a meaningful impact in the lives of adolescents and young adults (ages 12–23), including transitional age youth (TAY).  Our client is a large private practice clinic founded in 2009, with strong ties to academic and hospital-based institutions. Their work is grounded in evidence-based care, clinical excellence, and meaningful outcomes for clients and families.

Our client is seeking a Registered Social Worker or Registered Psychotherapist to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care, with a strong focus on engagement, clinical effectiveness, and functional outcomes.

Should you be selected for this role, you will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team in a practice grounded in CBT and evidence-based approaches. This role is intended for clinicians who are comfortable practicing independently. As clinical supervision is not provided, this position is not suited for those seeking ongoing supervision or early-career mentorship.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Deliver evidence-based psychotherapy (CBT, DBT-informed, ACT)
• Develop and implement treatment plans and goals
• Use measurement-based care to monitor progress and outcomes

Risk & Safety

• Assess and respond to clinical risk (e.g., suicidality, self-harm)
• Develop and maintain safety plans
• Escalate or coordinate care for higher-risk or complex presentations

Youth & Family Engagement

• Build strong therapeutic alliances with youth
• Adapt interventions to developmental stage and motivation
• Engage caregivers and provide psychoeducation
• Collaborate with schools, physicians, and community partners

Documentation & Professional Practice

• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation
• Adhere to ethical and regulatory standards
• Participate in case discussions and team collaboration

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Registration in good standing with CRPO or OCSWSSW
• Training and experience in evidence-based psychotherapy (CBT preferred)
• Experience working with youth and emerging adults (ages 12–23) and family therapy
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, and organizational skills
• Valid professional liability insurance
• Recent and valid Police Record Check (Vulnerable Sector required)

For psychotherapist applicants

• Must be registered with the CRPO as a Registered Psychotherapist (Independent Practice)
• Applicants requiring supervision (e.g., RP Qualifying) will not be considered

For social worker applicants

• Must be registered as a Registered Social Worker (RSW)
• Must be able to practice independently without ongoing supervision

What We’re Looking For (Core Competencies)

• Strong skills in adolescent engagement and alliance-building
• Ability to manage complex presentations (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma)
• Confidence in risk monitoring and clinical decision-making
• Ability to work within a structured care pathway / stepped-care model

Why Join our client?

• Work in a highly trained, CBT-focused team
• Structured, evidence-based environment with strong peer collaboration
• Opportunities to be part of a clinic connected to academic and hospital networks
• Hybrid work model (in-person + virtual)

Compensation

Psychotherapist - $98 to $115/hr

Social Worker - $92 to $107.50/hr

**Rates are per client-contact hour (e.g. therapy, report writing, etc.) **

Position Details

• Full-time
• Paid time off

Schedule

• Daytime hours
• Some late afternoons/early evenings (if involved in group therapy)
• No weekends

Location: Hybrid (in-person in Ottawa + virtual)

Please note that due to the volume of applications only those under consideration will be contacted for an interview.  No phone calls please. Our client is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate, if you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.  Offers are conditional on successful completion of background and reference checks. No AI is used in this recruitment process.