- Make a real impact on community health while living and working in a stunning coastal setting
- Professional development opportunities, and a schedule that supports work-life balance
- Join a supportive, collaborative health team dedicated to providing supports to the nation and those residing in Klemtu.
In the 1860s, our two distinct nations came together in Klemtu: the Kitasoo Nation of the islands and the Xai’xais Nation of the mainland. Today, our community resides in Klemtu, on the east side of Swindle Island on BC’s central coast (about 500km north of Vancouver), in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. We have 517 Nation members, 319 of whom live on reserve. Our village is served by a grocery store, a post office, community sports facility, bighouse, child care centre, Grade 1-12 school, and a health clinic.
Working with Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation means joining a community that values collaboration, accountability, and long-term vision. The Nation is dedicated to building a healthy and prosperous future for our people, where housing, infrastructure, and economic development support both cultural continuity and community well-being.
For more information, please visit our website: klemtu.com/
1. Introduction and Demographics
Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation Health Department invites proposals from qualified Mental Health and Addictions Therapists to provide comprehensive, community-based counselling and therapeutic services, 1-on-1 counseling in Klemtu, British Columbia.
The successful candidate will become part of an interdisciplinary counselling team providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health and addictions services to children, youth, adults, couples, and families.
2. Background
Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation is committed to improving access to mental health and wellness services for community members and their families and supporting any individual residing in Klemtu. Klemtu has approximately 243 members living in the community and 246 members living away from home.
The Health Department currently supports more than 200 individuals annually through counselling and wellness services. Clinical services are overseen by the Health Director and are designed to provide timely, accessible, and culturally safe care.
Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation seeks to strengthen local service delivery by securing a qualified therapist capable of providing consistent, long-term counselling support while contributing to community wellness, resilience, and healing.
The community experiences regular occurrences of domestic violence/interpersonal violence, family violence, concerns with substance misuse related to Alcohol, Marijuana, and other substances. Concerns for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and other disorders such as depression, anxiety, and bi-polar disorder.
3. Purpose of the RFP
The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to recruit a reliable, experienced, and culturally sensitive Mental Health and Addictions Therapist to provide on-site therapeutic services within the community of Klemtu. To provide comprehensive, client-centered, culturally safe, community-based mental wellness services to Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation to be more proactive in addressing the needs of members.
The successful proponent will provide trauma-informed counselling and treatment services that address:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Trauma and complex trauma
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Substance use disorders
- Concurrent mental health and addictions concerns
- Family and relationship challenges
The preferred candidate will be an experienced Generalist Clinical Counsellor with expertise in concurrent disorders, substance use assessment and treatment, crisis intervention, and rural or remote practice.
4. Scope of Services
The successful candidate will provide:
Clinical Counselling Services
- Individual counselling
- Child and youth counselling (ages 8–28)
- Family counselling
- Couples counselling
- Group counselling
- Trauma counselling
- Crisis intervention
- Suicide risk assessment and safety planning
- Substance use assessment and treatment
- Relapse prevention and recovery support
Assessment and Case Management
- Client intake and screening
- Mental health and addictions assessments
- Treatment planning and goal setting
- Referrals to community and residential treatment programs
- Integrated case planning
- Case management and coordination of care
- Discharge planning and aftercare services
Community Wellness and Prevention
- Mental health promotion initiatives
- Community wellness programming
- Educational workshops and presentations
- Psychoeducation for individuals, families, and groups
- Substance use prevention initiatives
- Community outreach and awareness activities
Collaboration and Reporting
- Participation in interdisciplinary case reviews as required
- Collaboration with healthcare providers and community partners as required
- Monthly activity and outcome reporting
- Consultation with Health Department leadership
5. Clinical Approach
Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation supports therapeutic care informed by:
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Attachment Theory
- Family Systems Theory
- Personal and Interpersonal Neurobiology
- Indigenous Cultural Safety
- Harm Reduction Principles
- Strengths-Based and Client-Centered Practice
- Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Models of Care
- Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based child and youth therapeutic theories, models, and best-practice approaches, with the ability to apply these effectively in supporting children, youth, and families.
- Possession of relevant supplemental training and professional development certifications related to child and youth care, mental health, trauma-informed practice, behavioral interventions, and other recognized best practices in the field.
Proponents must demonstrate training and clinical experience in at least three (3) of the following therapeutic modalities:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
- Family Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
6. Expectations
The successful therapist will:
- Provide trauma-informed counselling and treatment services.
- Conduct screening, assessment, treatment planning, referrals, and case management.
- Evaluate client needs and develop individualized treatment plans.
- Participate in integrated case planning, consultations, and case reviews.
- Deliver services consistent with harm reduction and recovery-oriented frameworks.
- Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness to Indigenous cultural and family contexts.
- Maintain current knowledge of community resources and referral pathways.
- Work collaboratively with program staff, healthcare providers, referral agencies, and community partners.
- Maintain professional documentation and confidentiality standards.
- Submit monthly service utilization and outcome reports.
- Utilize FOIPPA- and PIPA-compliant virtual platforms when and if providing virtual services pending need. However, the work is expected to be in person offering 1 to 1 counseling services.
The successful candidate must also participate in a minimum of three (3) consultations within the first three months of service with Kitasoo Xai Xais Consultant Irene Champagne.
7. Preferred Assets
Preference may be given to candidates who demonstrate:
- Commitment to a minimum two-year service term
- Experience working in First Nations, Indigenous, rural, or remote communities
- Knowledge of historical trauma and Indigenous wellness approaches
- Strong workshop development and facilitation skills
- Experience working within integrated care models
- Expertise in substance use assessment and treatment
- Individual, family, child, youth, couples, and group counselling experience
- High ethical and professional standards
- Rotation based to be determined with the director
8. Compensation and Support
- Benefits following successful completion of a three-month probationary period
- Housing provided
- Travel provided
9. Service Location
Services will be delivered primarily within:
Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation
at the Kitasoo Xai'xais Health Centre also known as the Klemtu Nursing Station
Klemtu, British Columbia
The successful candidate must be able to travel between Vancouver, Vancouver Island, or Port Hardy and Klemtu.
10. Employee Contract Term
The employee contract will commence upon execution of a formal agreement between the successful proponent and Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation.
Therapy services will be delivered over a twelve-month period, with the possibility of renewal based on organizational needs and performance.
11. Mandatory Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Hold a Master's Degree in Clinical Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related health discipline.
- Relevant supplemental training and certifications in child and youth care, mental health, trauma-informed practice, behavioral interventions, and other evidence-based best practices.
- Be registered and in good standing with a recognized professional regulatory body (e.g., BCACC, CCPA, RSW, RN).
- Possess a valid BCACC license or equivalent professional registration.
- Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience working with children, youth, adults, and families.
- Maintain a minimum of $10 million professional liability insurance.
- Participate in ongoing clinical supervision or consultation.
- Possess a valid British Columbia Driver's License.
- Provide a current Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
12. Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
The successful proponent will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of Indigenous Cultural Safety and traditional healing approaches.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented practice.
- Knowledge of mental health, addictions, and concurrent disorders treatment.
- Knowledge of harm reduction principles and substance use recovery services.
- Knowledge of the BC Mental Health Act and relevant legislation.
- Knowledge of DSM diagnostic frameworks, mental status examinations, and case formulation.
- Strong crisis intervention, risk assessment, and suicide prevention skills.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
- Excellent communication, documentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently and within interdisciplinary teams.
- Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
Preference may be given to Indigenous applicants pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code.
13. Proposal Submission Requirements
Proposals must include:
- Description of qualifications and relevant clinical experience
- Summary of therapeutic approaches and modalities utilized
- Description of experience working with mental health, trauma, anxiety-related disorders, and substance use concerns
- Proposed service delivery model.
- Describe a project, program, or client engagement where you integrated Indigenous cultural safety principles and trauma-informed practice into service delivery. How did clients report feeling or how did clients respond to your therapeutic approaches? Include:
- The context and population served;
- Your approach to maintaining confidentiality and privacy;
- The specific interventions or strategies employed; and
- The outcomes achieved and evidence of success.
- How did you manage cultural conflict in the context of a therapy setting?
- Current Résumé and Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of professional registration
- Proof of liability insurance
- Current Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check
14. Submission Instructions
Please submit proposals in PDF or Word format titled:
[Therapist/Practice Name] – Mental Health and Addictions Therapist RFP
Submit electronically to:
Submission Deadline:
4:30 PM, June 24, 2026 (or as otherwise extended by Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation)
15. Contact Information
Cynthia Robinson
Human Resources Officer
[email protected]
250-839-1255 ext. 202
Terms and Conditions
Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, to waive informalities and irregularities, and to select the proposal deemed to be in the best interest of the Nation and community.
All proposals that meet the requirements of this RFP will be evaluated to determine which application best meets Kitasoo Xai’xais needs. Kitasoo Xai’xais reserves the right to:
- Accept or reject any or all proposals
- Negotiate with qualified applicants
- Cancel this RFP at any time
Submitting a proposal does not commit Kitasoo Xai’xais to awarding an employee contract or covering any costs associated with proposal preparation. Following vendor selection, Kitasoo Xai’xais and the selected applicant will collaborate to refine and finalize the Scope of Work.
As our ideal candidate, you will bring compassion, cultural sensitivity, and respect for the dignity of every individual, along with the ability to maintain confidentiality and act with professionalism. You are self-directed, collaborative, and thrive in a close-knit team environment where you can make a tangible difference.
This is a unique opportunity for a dedicated therapist who is passionate about providing high-quality therapeutic counseling in a beautiful coastal community. If you are motivated by helping clients foster introspective reflection, essential for emotional regulation and self-awareness and want to contribute to the health and wellness of the Klemtu community, we want to hear from you.
Compensation based on skills and experience and your response to the request for proposal. This will include:
- Coverage for travel costs
- Full health benefits provided by Manulife
- Flexible work arrangement at the discretion of the director rotation based and on-site presence in Klemtu
- Housing provided during periods of on-site work
- Picturesque coastal location with a strong sense of community and culture
If you share our values and have the skills necessary to bring success to the role, then we invite you to apply today!
