Saskatchewan

Beatrice St Amand-Doepker
2009-2011

I am delighted to be able to serve on the Board as director representing Saskatchewan. I grew up in a small rural predominantly French speaking community in Saskatchewan and moved to Saskatoon to pursue my university education.  After completing my B.A. (Psychology), my husband and I worked in Zambia for two years as volunteer teachers, an enriching and enlightening experience.  After completing my B.Ed. and teaching high school here, we again moved with our three young daughters to live and teach in St. Vincent for one year, another warm and memorable experience!

I later returned to university and completed an M. Ed. (Educational Psychology and Counselling) and have worked in the college system (SIAST) for over 20 years as a teacher, learning specialist, and career and educational counsellor. Presently, I work with clients from the public and registered students who are seeking assistance for career and life planning. Some have high levels of distress and lack of goal directedness so the aim is to assist in integrating career and psychological adjustment into the career counselling and planning process. I also have interests in assisting individuals with disabilities to meet with school and career success.

I had the privilege of being part of the organizing committee for the CCPA National Conference that was held in Saskatoon in 2009 where I met many wonderful counsellors.  Some of the professors and people I consider my mentors have been involved in past years as members and directors of this organization.

One of the recent highlights of my career was being part of the Canadian delegation of counsellors (People to People program) who travelled to China to meet with our counterparts there in schools and universities to share common issues, best practices and expand our cross-cultural knowledge. In the past, I have also been involved as a volunteer on the executive committee of the Saskatchewan Educational Psychologist’s Association. 

As well, I enjoy spending time with and travelling with my husband and daughters. I also enjoy reading, sewing, skating, exercising, attending concerts and the theatre.

Director's Report - November 2011

Saskatchewan Director’s Report

Beatrice St. Amand-Doepker

November 2011

Abstract

• Over the last few months, I have participated in all CCPA Board meetings.
• I have been in contact with Saskatchewan members and other counsellors to listen to any concerns and help promote the benefits of membership in CCPA.

There is interest from a number of members to begin discussions about forming a provincial chapter so that will be one of the areas I hope to focus on in the coming months.

Connections and Communications

• Contacted Saskatchewan CCPA members through email to introduce myself and received feedback from members interested in having a provincial meeting.
• Attended all CCPA board meetings via teleconference.

Contributions and Celebrations

• The numbers of Saskatchewan CCPA members has increased to 148 members.
• Attended various meetings to connect with counsellors locally and provincially.
• Participated in a provincial meeting of post-secondary college counsellors where I presented information on the benefits of membership in CCPA. As well, at this meeting the Saskatchewan representative on the Project Working Group on Labour Mobility presented information from the 2011 National Symposium on Labour Mobility for the Counselling Profession. This led to the very early beginnings of a discussion to start examining the establishment of a provincial chapter and the discussion around regulation nationally and provincially.
• Attended the Psychological Association of Saskatchewan conference to network with counselling related associations and distributed CCPA informational brochures provided by the national office.
• Met with some members who belong to the School Counsellors Chapter to keep abreast of their professional issues and concerns.

Concerns and Challenges

• Due to unforeseen additional work responsibilities this fall, I have not made as many connections with the provincial membership as I had hoped.

Future Plans

• Make contact with the two provincial University Counselling Program departments in order to arrange a meeting with graduate students to help promote the benefits of and involvement in CCPA.
• Communicate with Saskatchewan members to promote the resources and professional development available through CCPA, such as the webinars and the National Conference as it is in Calgary (Western Canada) this spring.
• Contact members interested in meeting to continue working towards advancing the counselling profession in our province through discussions about forming a provincial chapter.