Jane Gikonyo
Ottawa,ON
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Addictions and Mental Health counselor with hands-on experience supporting individuals facing homelessness, substance use challenges and trauma. Skilled in harm reduction strategies, withdrawal management, screening, assessment and non-violent crisis intervention. Passionate about empowering vulnerable populations through evidence-based approaches, active listening and client-centered support. Adept at building trusting relationships, facilitating individual and group counselling sessions and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to promote holistic recovery and wellbeing. Seeking employment as a Residential Withdrawal Management Counselor at Ottawa Withdrawal Management Centre.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Internship
Centre for Victims of Torture (CVT)
- Provided psychological support to individuals and groups who had experienced torture, trauma and other forms of severe abuse.
- Worked as part of a multidisciplinary team to offer comprehensive care, ensuring the psychological well-being of clients while respecting their cultural, social, and personal contexts.
- Conducted client assessments to determine mental health status and needs.
- Facilitated individual, group and family counselling sessions as needed.
- Assisted clients in developing coping strategies and resilience.
- Provided immediate psychological support during crisis, including managing cases of acute distress, self-harm, or suicide risk.
- Advocated for the needs and rights of clients within the organization.
- Maintained accurate and confidential client records.
- Participated in training and supervision to enhance counselling skills and stay current with best practices in trauma and torture survivor care.
- Engaged in outreach activities to identify and support survivors of torture in the community.
- Provided regular reports on client progress and program outcomes to the clinical supervisor or program manager.
Internship
Danish Refugee Council
- Supported the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of refugees and other vulnerable populations.
- Assisted in conducting initial psychosocial assessments.
- Helped in gathering relevant information regarding clients’ backgrounds, experiences and current circumstances.
- Provided basic psychological support to clients under the supervision of experienced counselors.
- Collaborated with the team to stabilize and support clients during emergencies.
- Assisted in tracking clients progress and outcomes.
- Participated in community outreach activities to identify and engage with refugees and other vulnerable populations in need of mental health support.
- Engaged in training sessions provided by the DRC to enhance knowledge and skills in counselling, trauma-informed care, and working with refugees.
- Worked closely with other DRC staff, including protection officers, social workers, and medical teams to ensure a holistic approach to client care.
- Adhered to ethical guidelines, including confidentiality and respect for client autonomy.
- Ensured all interactions and interventions were culturally appropriate and respectful of the clients backgrounds and beliefs.
Principal Lecturer
Public Service Commission of Kenya (Kenya Technical Teachers’ College)
01.1988 - 01.2022
- Supported Learners in Their Quest for Knowledge
- Provided Mentorship to Students
- Nurtured and Counselled Learners from Diverse Backgrounds
- Leveraged Technology to Support Learning
- Mediated and Liaised Among Various Stakeholders in The Education Landscape
- Researched Learning Strategies.
- Volunteered counselling services to students at the Student Counselling Centre
Peer Shelter Support Worker
Fred Victor Warming Centre
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Reviewed client background information.
- Interviewed clients to obtain case history.
- Prepared intake reports.
- Assessed clients' relevant skill strengths and needs.
- Assisted clients to sort out options and develop plans of action.
- Provided necessary support and assistance.
- Individual and group counselling
Peer Harm Reduction Worker
The Neighbourhood Group
01.2023 - 01.2023
- Assisted with response and management of overdose events.
- Maintained a clean working environment.
- Helped to de-escalate conflict with or among participants.
- Assembled and distributed harm reduction kits and other supplies
Harm Reduction and Wellness Manager
HHB Housing and Support Services– Hamilton Booth Centre
01.2023 - 01.2023
- Reviewed and developed Harm Reduction Policies and Procedures to promote harm reduction within the shelter.
- Developed and implemented harm reduction programs and strategies to meet the needs of shelter workers and residents
- Educated shelter staff and residents about harm reduction principles and practices.
- Collaborated with local healthcare providers, community organizations and government agencies to coordinate care and services for residents.
- Built partnerships with other organizations which enhanced service delivery.
Education
Ontario Graduate Certificate - Addictions and Mental Health
Algonquin College
06.2025
Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology
United States International University
01.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
United States International University
01.2009
Higher Diploma - Entrepreneurship Development
The Kenya Polytechnic
01.2002
Certificate - Technical Education (Teacher Education)
Kenya Technical Teachers College
01.1996
Skills
- Active listening
- Assessment skills
- Initial screening and monitoring
- Documentation
- Counselling
- Motivational Interviewing
- Empathy
- Confidentiality
- Cultural competence
- Problem-solving skills
- Oral and Written Communication skills
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention
Training
- Bridge to Employment to Serve Immigrant Populations 2024
- Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto
- Relevant Coursework: Workplace Communication | Career Building | Introduction to Immigration and Settlement | Values and Approaches in Human Services | IRCC Site Navigation | Front Line Service Skills | Crisis Intervention Skills and Techniques | Information, Referral and System Navigation | Mental Health Services | Canadian Foundations | Settlement Services | Introduction to Careers in Human Services | 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations | Leading Practices | Case Management | Informational Interviews | Mental Health and Counselling | Introduction to Counselling | LinkedIn and Networking
- Mental Health First Aid
- First AID / CPR certification
- Toronto Shelter Standards
- Harm Reduction and Peer Program
- Naloxone certification
- Case Management
- Introduction to counselling
- Trauma-Informed care
- Housing First Approach
- Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
- Anti-Ableism
- Professional Boundaries
- Debriefing Triggers
- Advocacy
- Working Across Differences
- Social Service Training and Employment Program
- Health and Safety for Managers and Supervisors - CCOHS
- WHMIS 2015 for Managers and Supervisors
- Health and Safety Awareness for Ontario Supervisors – CCOHS
- Bullying in the Workplace- CCOHS
- Exam- Emergency Preparedness for Workers- CCOHS
- Fire Safety – The Basics- CCOHS
- Violence in the Workplace: Recognize the Risk and Take Action - CCOHS
- Vulnerable Sector Check- Hamilton Police Service
- MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Timeline
Peer Shelter Support Worker
Fred Victor Warming Centre
01.2023 - 01.2024
Peer Harm Reduction Worker
The Neighbourhood Group
01.2023 - 01.2023
Harm Reduction and Wellness Manager
HHB Housing and Support Services– Hamilton Booth Centre
01.2023 - 01.2023
Principal Lecturer
Public Service Commission of Kenya (Kenya Technical Teachers’ College)
01.1988 - 01.2022
Internship
Centre for Victims of Torture (CVT)
Internship
Danish Refugee Council
Ontario Graduate Certificate - Addictions and Mental Health
Algonquin College
Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology
United States International University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
United States International University
Higher Diploma - Entrepreneurship Development
The Kenya Polytechnic
Certificate - Technical Education (Teacher Education)
Kenya Technical Teachers College
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