- Dissertation Award of Excellence for 2018/2019 academic year, Pacifica Graduate Institute (2019)
- Full Wagner Graduate Fellowship for academic achievement, University of British Columbia (1995)
Vancouver | Professor, Counselling Psychology (M.A.) | Master of Counselling Psychology
My aim is to create a safe, supportive learning environment for each student. I focus on interactive, experiential learning, in order to maximize student engagement. Questions and activities are intended to critically engage students, promote curiosity, and broaden and/or challenge current beliefs and attitudes. I use a wide variety of activities in order to accommodate different learning styles. I am strength-based and use encouragement to help maximize each student’s development.
I like to share with students my own clinical experience, knowledge, and passion for helping others. I encourage students to think critically, identify and cultivate their unique strengths and gifts, and ultimately develop their own personal styles and approaches to counselling. I also want each student to develop a strong self-reflection competency, learn to appreciate and incorporate diversity issues into their work, and understand the importance of ongoing personal and professional development. I emphasize the importance of humility, curiosity, imagination, and creativity to counselling work. I also stress the importance of remaining open to new or differing ideas and perspectives.
After a long career as a therapist and clinical supervisor, I am very appreciative of the opportunity to teach at Adler University and help train and prepare the next generation of counsellors. I have discovered that I have the same passion for teaching as I do for clinical practice. I love the diverse student population, and their commitment to learning, social justice, improving communities, and helping others. The staff and faculty are very skilled, supportive, and encouraging.
Adler University in Vancouver has been, like Canada itself, born and built with an open mind. Located in the midst of one of the world’s most exciting and breathtaking cities, Adler University reflects a true Canadian spirit. It’s smart, inclusive and determined to make a world of difference. By design, our Vancouver campus echoes the Adler values and intent down every hall and in every room. It is built to live, breathe and inspire those with the passion to pursue a more just society. This is where the work gets done.
At Adler Vancouver, you’ll find multiple collaborative areas with the absolute latest technology. Learning areas and windows have literally been situated to stimulate thought. To some, that may sound odd, but these things do matter. If students are given the space, opportunity and technology to achieve their goals, they are more likely to rock the boat of conventional thought.