Vancouver | Clinical Faculty, Adler Community Health Services
Dr. Nardeen Awadalla is clinical faculty at Adler Community Health services. Heavily influenced by Adlerian philosophy, she believes that as humans, we all strive for wellness, safety, and growth. Growing up she was immersed in various cultural and geographical contexts as she lived in Egypt, across the UK, and Canada. This informed her understanding that the human experience of wellness is predicated on the relationship between the individual and their context as well as their relationship with themselves.
Nardeen believes that early experiences create a template for how we see ourselves, others, and the world. Sometimes, this template can get in the way of people living a life that is most fulfilling to them. Nardeen views authentic connection as a mechanism for positive change. She has an interest interpersonal neurobiology and draws from attachment, cognitive, and humanistic frameworks to conceptualize clinical presentations. Clinically she utilizes evidence-based interventions from third-wave cognitive behavioural, and interpersonal modalities to support clients gain insight and implement change in their lives.
Adler said that “the educator must believe in the potential power of his pupil, and he must employ all his art in seeking to bring his pupil to experience this power”. This principal drives Nardeen’s approach as a supervisor; she views her role as being a guide along a students’ journey to developing their authentic professional identity. She believes that the most useful way to do this by connecting with students and empowering them through encouragement, knowledge, and support as they navigate the context of the mental health profession.