Thrive Counselling, Burlington and Oakville
Thrive Counselling
Location: Burlington – 777 Guelph Line, Burlington, Suite 207
Oakville – 465 Morden R., Suite 200, Oakville
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
Thrive is a community based counselling agency providing service to individuals, couples and families. The agency is multi-site, providing services in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Georgetown. For Masters counselling students there are five supervisors available: Carol Oosting and Iriny Sharkawy, who are RSWs and Mary Anne Bedington, Lauren and Juan Mariné who are RPs. So, we are all able to provide supervision for people wanting to register with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. For Bachelors level students, Carol Oosting (Oakville site) and Connie DeForest (Burlington site) are the supervisors. The placement selection process is a competitive one and candidates are asked to provide a resume; and selected people are invited to an interview.
The issues that bring people to Thrive include the following: depression, anxiety, parenting issues, parent/child conflict, marital problems, adjustment to separation and divorce, gender-based violence, family violence, sexual abuse, issues with aging, etc.
Masters level students: Students are responsible for assuming the primary counselling role with several clients. In addition, there may be an opportunity for students to lead or co-lead groups. They are expected to be involved at the agency for a minimum of two days per week. Weekly supervision is provided and it is expected that students will make use of recording their sessions to enhance their learning and skill development. Some evening hours are required. Currently in-person placements are being offered with students providing both in-person and virtual counselling. It is a requirement that students provide a Vulnerable Persons Police Check and be fully vaccinated.
This placement opportunity is best suited for students who have work experience in the field and/or who have completed one master level placement. Training in offering tele-mental health is recommended.
Practicum Requirements:
☒ Covid Vaccinations
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
☒ Evening attendance
Other requirements:
-Previous counselling experience.
-Thrive does not operate on Fridays. Students in this practicum must attend on weekdays between Monday and Thursday with one shift being 1 – 9 pm.
Please note, students are not allowed to miss class time for practicum. This practicum opportunity will only work for students who do not have classes scheduled on Monday or Tuesday.
Please select Fields(s) of Study:
☒ Mental Health and Health
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
Yes, successful candidates have some had direct counselling experiences
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
In person, offering in-person and remote services.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Primarily direct counselling
Number of practicums offered:
2 – if students are able to flex their placement days Thrive does not offer placements on Fridays
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Carol Oosting, MSW, RSW; Iriny Sharkawy, MSW, RSW
Application deadline: Any time
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume and cover letter preferred.
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Medium
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Low
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum?
Being able to sit – for both counselling sessions and note-taking.
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? No, we have accommodated students with both visual and hearing issues,
To apply for this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4 pm on March 5, 2026. Applications will be sent to the site.