About the Role:

We are seeking an empathetic and dedicated NDIS Counsellor to join our team, with a unique focus on pet therapy. The ideal candidate will be passionate about supporting individuals with disabilities to improve their mental and emotional well-being, behaviour support strategies, integrating animal-assisted therapy into their approach. As an NDIS Counsellor, you will work with clients to create meaningful therapeutic experiences while adhering to the NDIS framework and guidelines. This is full time role, Mon to Fri (9am to 5pm) office based.

Key Responsibilities:

• Counselling & Therapy: Provide professional counselling services to NDIS participants, helping them address emotional, psychological, and social challenges.
• Pet Therapy Integration: Incorporate pet therapy as part of the therapeutic approach, using animals to assist in improving mental health, emotional regulation, and overall well-being for participants. Some external care for our pet therapy dog would be an advantage.
• NDIS Plan Integration: Work closely with clients to align their therapy goals with their NDIS plans, ensuring that the therapy provided is appropriate and meets their individual needs.
• Emotional Support: Offer ongoing emotional support and develop personalized strategies for clients to cope with daily challenges, focusing on building resilience and self-confidence.
• Collaboration with NDIS Teams: Work collaboratively with other NDIS professionals, including support coordinators, planners, and service providers, to ensure holistic care and service delivery.
• Assessments and Reporting: Conduct initial assessments and progress evaluations, providing reports to NDIS teams as necessary to ensure clients receive appropriate funding and services.
• Animal Care and Safety: Ensure that all pet therapy sessions are conducted in a safe, controlled environment, maintaining the welfare of both the animals and the participants.

Key Requirements:

• Relevant Qualifications: A qualification in counselling, social work, psychology, or a related field (minimum Bachelor’s level).
• Experience in NDIS: Previous experience working with NDIS participants, including knowledge of NDIS plans, funding, and goals.
• Pet Therapy Certification: Experience or certification in animal-assisted therapy or a strong interest in integrating animals into therapeutic practice.
• Strong Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with clients, their families, and NDIS providers, showing compassion and empathy.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work with clients from diverse backgrounds and to tailor approaches to their individual needs.
• Experience in Mental Health: Previous experience in mental health or emotional support roles is highly regarded.
• Animal Handling Skills: Comfortable working with therapy animals and ensuring the safe interaction between animals and clients.
• NDIS Compliance Knowledge: Understanding of NDIS guidelines, funding structures, and legislative requirements is essential.

Desirable:

• A background in integrating animals into mental health and wellness programs.
• Knowledge of other therapeutic modalities or creative therapies.
• Experience with behavioral management techniques in therapeutic settings.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and have a love for animals, we encourage you to apply. Please apply via seek or submit your resume and cover letter, detailing your relevant experience and explaining how you would integrate pet therapy into your work, to [email protected]