Alberta and North West Territories

Blythe Shepard
2009-2011

I am absolutely delighted to take on the position of CCA Director for Alberta and the Northwest Territories. I am relatively new to Alberta and recognize that I have a great deal to learn about the contexts in which counsellors work. However, one of my goals as new Director is to strengthen links with members of the profession across Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Let me introduce myself professionally. I have a doctorate from the University of Victoria (2002) and I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor. Until the fall of 2008, I was a faculty member at the University of Victoria in the counselling program at which time I moved to the University of Lethbridge where I am an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education (counselling).

During the past 13 years, I have been involved with CCA in a number of ways. Provincially, I was the BC/Yukon Director for the past two years and the CCA Board Liaison to the BC Chapter. I also sat on the BC Task Group and Working Committee for the proposed BC College of Counselling Therapists for five years. During that time, I helped to develop the nationally validated counsellor competencies.

My involvement with the various CCA chapters has included: Vice-Presidency of the Career Development Chapter for three years and Board member of the Social Justice Chapter. At the national level, I received Council of Accreditation of Counsellor Education Programs (CACEP) training. I also took part on the Awards Committee and the Certification Committee and was a member of the Project Working Group which organized the National Symposium on Counsellor Mobility held in 2008. I am currently co-chair of the Inter-Provincial Mobility for the Counselling Profession Working Group. With colleagues, I contributed to the revision of the Standards and Practice booklet to align with the new Code of Ethics and was co-author of the Counselling Ethics, Issues, and Cases book (2006). These are exciting times in the world of counselling and I look forward to making further contributions to the profession provincially and nationally.

Director's Report - May 2010

Abstract

            Over the past six months, my work as the Alberta/NWT Director has focused on:

• Continuing the work on Inter-Provincial Mobility within the Counselling Profession Project and assisting with the submission of the funding proposal for next phase of the project
• Completing the 100 day goals for the Risk Management Committee (Treasurer), the Governance Committee, the Certification Committee, and the Education and Policy (Advocacy) Committee
• Connecting the members and associations  in Alberta

  Connections and Communications

• Answering inquiries from Alberta members concerning: the need to lobby insurance companies to increase access to clients, how to obtain liability insurance, steps in becoming an EAP/EAFP provider; the need to be included under the Health Professions Act
• Completed a survey of Directors of the requirements for EAP work in their provinces and I am in the process of working with the National Office in developing an updated media package to be sent out to EAP companies.
• Sent Christmas newsletter to Alberta members via list-serv.
• Continuing to establish connections with associations/CCPA members in Alberta to start the dialogue on regulation
• Sent out a letter to CCPA members to ascertain interest in mobilizing members to form an Alberta Association of Counsellors (CCPA-AB).
• Contacted student representatives at the University of Alberta, University of Lethbridge, and University of Calgary.

Contributions and Celebrations

• Co-chairing the National Symposium on Counsellor Labour Mobility held in Ottawa on November 26 and 27, 2009.
  

Concerns and Challenges

• Members in Alberta want information about opportunities for Canadian Certified Counsellors, particularly in light of the Health Services Act and the way in which some employers are interpreting the Act. It is hoped that the formation of a provincial association will increase counsellor recognition by the public and by the provincial government and eventually lead to a regulatory college for counsellors.
• Finding an Alberta/NWT Director to take my place in May 2011
• Continuing to advocate that CCC be accepted by EAP associates in Alberta
• Find ways to reach out to NWT members. Submit an application for Aid to Research Workshops and Conferences in Canada in the fall of 2010 for assistance in promoting linkages in the North. 

Coming Attractions

• Continue the dialogue about forming an Alberta association of counsellors with members and develop sub-committees to focus on by-laws, pro-d opportunities, lobbying efforts etc.