Counsellor

SUMMARY:
Counsellor (Psychology) - Knysna - Western Cape

POSITION INFO:
A large organization in Knysna is looking for 2 X Counsellors to join their team in January 2025.

The Counsellor will play a crucial role in promoting the emotional well-being of learners who have experienced trauma.
This is achieved through various services, including brief counselling and crisis containment sessions.

Salary: 
R20k - R22k basic +small travel allowance + cell allowance

Reporting to: The team leader

Requirements:

•  Registered counsellor:
• Honours degree in Psychology, with a completed internship and at least two years of counselling experience / Play Therapist with at least two years of experience / Social Worker with experience in play therapy
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Empathy and Compassion
• Crisis intervention
• The ability to work under pressure.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage competing priorities and apply good judgment.
• Fluent in English and Afrikaans with good communication skills.
• Driver’s license and own transport

• Provide individual or group counselling and support to selected learners in rural schools, within the counsellor’s scope of practice.
• Excluded cases: eating disorders, severe substance abuse, perpetrators of sexual offenses, personality disorders, active rape cases, conduct disorders, attempted suicides, medical conditions (e.g., epilepsy), occult-related issues, and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).
• Deliver crisis containment sessions for learners in immediate distress.
• Refer learners to appropriate support organizations when necessary.
• Facilitate large group awareness sessions as required.
• Conduct intake meetings with parents when relevant and provide follow-up feedback.
• Offer insights and feedback to teachers where applicable.
• Conduct surveys when needed.
• Provide updated monthly statistics to School-Based Support Teams (SBST).
• Record all data on online platforms, maintaining and updating log frames, statistics, and other relevant information.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports.
• Collaborate with WCED school psychologists and/or school social workers as needed.

• Collaborate with SBST members to handle referrals and promote trauma-informed practices within schools.
• Participate in regular counselling team meetings to review referrals and assign appropriate referral pathways.
• Engage with stakeholders to discuss referrals and determine suitable interventions
•  Follow up with external stakeholders and organizations

•  Compile and distribute trauma-informed resources to relevant teachers in participating schools.
• Equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to manage crises effectively through these resources.
• Empower teachers to access external resources and support systems more efficiently