Volunteer Walk-in Counselling

There are a lot of ways to volunteer with walk-in counselling:

Position Descriptions
Volunteer Community Therapist Qualifications
Practicum Student Qualifications
Provisional Psychologist Qualifications

If you still have questions, please read our walk-in counselling volunteer FAQ.

There are three ways you can become involved in the walk-in counselling:

  1. Volunteer Community Therapist
    We train our volunteer community therapists to become competent in one of the most effective counselling strategies in use today: the Solution-Focused, Single Session model of Brief Therapy. With this method you’ll work with other community professionals and have opportunities to continually enhance your counselling skills.
  2. Practicum Student
    Students with previous supervision in counselling settings are preferred and will be assessed based on their abilities and experience. Our student practicums are for students affiliated with select universities.
  3. Provisional Psychologist
    Provisional psychologists play a key role in facilitating and managing the counselling sessions at the Crisis Support Centre.

Fill out a volunteer application today!

For more information about this volunteer opportunity check out our Frequently Asked Questions section, call (780) 482-0198, or email volunteers@thesupportnetwork.com.

Volunteer Community Therapist

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor or Masters of Social Work with a minimum of three years supervised counselling experience
  • Masters or PhD in Counselling Psychology, or related profession, with experience in counselling
  • Chartered Psychologist with experience in counselling
  • Interest in the Solution-Focused, Single Session model
  • Ability to work in a team environment
  • Practicing Therapists require a membership in a Professional Association
  • Student’s working toward certification must be a Student Affiliate Member of a Professional Association

Volunteer Commitment and Expectations:

  • Minimum of two 4-hour shifts per month (96 hours per year)
  • Willing to sign one year contract
  • Attendance at a minimum of two Support Network training session, including Suicide Prevention Workshop and Family Violence Intervention.
  • Willingness to develop skills in the Solution Focused model

Available Shifts:

  • 1-5 pm (shift one) or 5-8 or 9 pm (shift two) Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
  • 10am-3 or 4 pm Thursday and Friday

Requirements:

  • Application, resume, and interview
  • Minimum commitment of one year/100 hours to receive the supervision and letter of reference from supervisor
  • Oath of Confidentiality signed
  • Clear police security clearance
  • Intervention Record Check through Child & Family Services Authority
  • Observation of sessions and excellent ability to participate in a team environment

Practicum Student

Qualifications:

  • MSW
  • MSc (Loma Linda)
  • MA (City University, St. Stephens Pastoral Counselling)
  • Masters in Counselling Psychology (Campus Alberta; University of Alberta)
  • Gonzaga University

Student Commitment and Expectations:

  • Fulfillment of learning contract and practicum hours
  • Clear security and child welfare check
  • Excellent ability to participate in team environment and observation sessions
  • Application, resume, interview
  • Oath of Confidentiality signed
  • Police security clearance (obtained from the Edmonton Police Service or RCMP)
  • Intervention Record Check through Child & Family Services Authority
  • Counselling supervision provided by qualified clinicians (MSW, CCC, R.Psych.)
  • Receive feedback from team members and supervisor on techniques of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Requirements:

  • Application, resume, and interview
  • Oath of Confidentiality signed
  • Police security clearance (obtained from the Edmonton Police Service or RCMP)
  • Intervention Record Check through Child & Family Services Authority

Provisional Psychologist

Qualifications:

  • Member of Psychologists' Association of Alberta (PAA)

Commitment:

  • Minimum commitment of one year/100 hours to receive the letter of reference

Requirements:

  • Supervisor already obtained for registration hours and this supervisor approves of provisional plan to obtain extra hours from the walk-in counselling Program
  • Application, resume, and interview
  • Oath of Confidentiality signed
  • Police security clearance (obtained from the Edmonton Police Service or RCMP)
  • Intervention Record Check through Child & Family Services Authority
  • Observation of sessions and excellent ability to participate in a team environment