About the Program

Career City College's Community Services Worker Certificate prepares you to support people facing mental health, addiction, and social challenges. Over 38 weeks of fully online study, you'll complete 16 courses covering counselling, crisis intervention, intake assessment, and case management. Together they give you the foundation to step into community and social service roles.

There are no set class times. You'll complete about 20 hours of study per week on your own schedule, and you can book one-on-one instructor support when you need it. With monthly start dates and fully online delivery, you can begin when you're ready and study from anywhere in Canada.

What You'll Learn

• Counselling and intervention skills: You'll learn the fundamentals of individual, family, and group counselling, an introduction to CBT techniques, and practical ways to de-escalate crises and support people affected by trauma.
• Mental health and addiction knowledge: You'll gain a grounding in psychology, human development across the lifespan, addiction theory, and pharmacology, including how medications are used in addiction and mental health treatment.
• Communication and professional practice: You'll build interpersonal communication skills that earn client trust, learn to work respectfully with diverse and vulnerable populations, and apply the ethical standards expected in addiction and mental health work.
• Job-ready casework skills: You'll practise conducting intake interviews, assessing client needs, coordinating services through case management, and planning for relapse prevention. A Career Services Specialist will also help you with your resume, interviews, and job search.

Career Opportunities

Community support workers are needed in shelters, supportive housing, mental health programs, and community organizations. This certificate prepares you to enter that field with confidence.

Career paths include:

• Community Support Worker: Connect clients with housing, social services, and community resources
• Mental Health Worker: Support clients through recovery programs and daily living activities
• Crisis Intervention Worker: Provide immediate support, de-escalation, and referrals to people in crisis
• Residential Support Worker: Help residents of group homes and recovery residences build life skills and stability

Salary Range: $35,000 – $55,000 annually (Information from PayScale Canada)