George is a former stand out Olympic Solidarity and NCAA Division 1 Scholar Athlete for his native Zimbabwe and for St. John’s University in New York. After his track and field career, he spent over 15 years providing collaborative, culturally-responsive, community-based services to diverse populations including First Nations, African Canadians and Newcomers to Canada in a broad range of settings from remote northern First Nation communities, to rural, urban, and inner-city settings. 

Since coming to Canada in 2006, George’s work has spanned the lifespan, including facilitating anti-bullying workshops, FASD work, family support, and community- based case management. Currently, he is a Clinical Therapist with the NSHA and works in private practice in New Glasgow. George believes in leadership through service and can be often found volunteering his time to learners, mentoring young athletes, participating in local festivals, and coaching. George completed education and leadership preparation programs at St. John’s University and Acadia University. 

Kelly Brenton is an Associate Professor at Acadia University and the Acting Director for the School of Counselling. She has been a Counsellor Educator for seven years and holds a master’s degree in educational psychology from Memorial University of NL and a doctorate in psychology from California Southern University. In addition to her roles at Acadia, Kelly works in private practice as a Registered Counselling Therapist and Clinical Supervisor with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. Prior to moving to NS, Kelly worked as a school counsellor in NL for over 20 years. Kelly has been involved with the CCPA as a Canadian Certified Counsellor since 2010 and has served in various roles within the association.

Carrie Foster is the President of the CCPA. She has been a member of the CCPA since 2010. She has been active in her communities on various boards promoting and advocating for the needs of those she serves. This includes nine years of service on the board member of the Quebec Counselling Association (QCA), most recently as President and past president. 

She is a licensed couple and family therapist and psychotherapist, and a certified Canadian counselor and registered drama therapist. Her career spans over 30 years, with a background in hospital, healthcare and community settings. In particular, she has worked extensively in youth care, developing and leading creative workshops for children and teens, and with homeless women with mental health needs, offering group and individual therapy. Carrie currently specializes in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. With individuals and families, she integrates psychodynamic, narrative and action-based approaches to address relationship distress, depression, anxiety, trauma and LGBTQ issues. Carrie has a special interest in helping couples navigate sexual intimacy issues. 

Professional Credentials and Affiliations 

• Licensed couple and family therapist with the Quebec Order of Social Workers and Couple and Family Therapists (OTSTCFQ)
• Licensed Psychotherapist with the Quebec Order of Psychologists (OPQ)
• Registered Drama Therapist with the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA)
• Canadian Counselling Certification with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
• USABP Somatic therapy practitioner.
• Sensorimotor Psycotherapy Institute Level 2 training in Somatatic therapy
• ICEEFT Member specialized in Emotionally focused couple therapy
• Intensive Sex Therapy Program, Guelph University
• Intensive Sexual Attitudes Reassessment (SAR) Training, American College of Sexologists
• Member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
• Senior member of the Montreal Institute for Developmental Transformations (DvT Montreal)
• Past President of the Quebec Counselling Association
• Sc., Couple and Family Therapy, McGill University
• A., Creative Arts Therapies, Concordia University
• A. Theatre and English Dramaturgy, University of Ottawa

Janell Dautel is Métis with ancestral connections to the Tłı̨chǫ and Gwich’in peoples of the Northwest Territories, and mixed heritage that includes her father’s German roots. Her personal and professional journey has been deeply shaped by her lived experience as the daughter of a Residential School Survivor, grounding her work in a deep understanding of intergenerational trauma, resilience, and the ongoing impacts of colonial systems.

Janell holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and has built her career across community-based, government, and Indigenous organizational settings. 

Janell’s counselling approach is rooted in culturally safe, trauma-informed care, guided by Indigenous wellness teachings, relational accountability, and respect for each person’s story. Janell integrates both clinical and culturally grounded practices to support healing across the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of wellness. Her areas of focus include intergenerational trauma, decolonization, grief and loss, parenting, and experiences of violence and abuse.

In her practice, Janell is committed to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, respected, and supported in reclaiming their strength and self-determination. She continues to advocate for culturally responsive care and works to bridge understanding between systems and communities through relationship, education, and integrity.

With over 25 years of dedicated experience in counselling, wellness education, program development, clinical supervision, workshop presentation and leadership, Siri brings deep expertise and heartfelt commitment to advancing the counselling profession. Holding a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and Counsellor Education, she has worked extensively in inpatient and outpatient community mental health services, health care authorities and private practice.

Siri has served as BC-Yukon Regional Director for two terms (2019–2023), and was both a board member and past President of the BC Chapter. Her involvement has extended across numerous committees including Governance, Ethics Queries/Education, and liaison work with the BC and Animal Assisted Therapy Chapters. She has been a Canadian Certified Counsellor since 2003.

Siri has championed initiatives that include counsellor wellness, professional development, and burnout prevention. Siri nurtures her own self-care through time in nature with loved ones and her three dogs.

As a member of CCPA since 1997, I am honoured to now serve on the National Board. I am a counselling therapist, author, resilience educator, and professional speaker with a passion for facilitating healing and strengthening emotional well-being.

Since earning my MA in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology in 1984, I have worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups navigating distress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship conflict, and life transitions. In recent years, I’ve become known as a spunky seniorpreneur as my work at Solutions for Resilience not only continues to provide healing and mental health strategies, but champions resilient aging.

Authorship and Video Creation

Over the past two decades, I have authored more than 300 blog articles and created over 350 educational videos. These practical resilience-building tools and emotional insights, reach thousands of readers and viewers. I enjoy blending my clinical experience with meaningful stories, research, book summaries, and evidence-informed approaches to strengthen resilience, mental health, healing, and hope.

My publications also make my work accessible to the public and helping professionals alike. They include:

• · Return to Center: Simple Strategies to Navigate Distress, Depression, and Disconnection, recipient of the 2024 CCPA Canadian Counselling Book Award
• · From Woe to WOW: How Resilient Women Succeed at Work
• · Love Her As She Is: Lessons from a Daughter Stolen by Addictions, featured in a 2020 national CBC documentary
• · Frantic Free: 167 Ways to Calm Down and Lighten Up, a Canadian bestseller
• · Additional print and digital titles focused on resilience, loneliness, communication, and stress management

Awards & CCPA Roles

My main role on the CCPA board is serving as the Alberta/Northwest Territories Director, contributing to the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy. I am also the board liaison for the Association of Counselling Therapists of Alberta (ACTA) as it advocates for provincial regulation. In addition, I am the liaison for the Alberta/Northwest Territories Chapter and the Social Justice Chapter.

It was my honour to be recognized as a Woman of Vision by the YWCA and Global TV and receive the Spirit of CAPS Award for contributing to excellence in professional speaking from the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

I believe in our shared humanity, the power of resilience, and our capacity to heal and flourish. As the ancient philosopher Hillel said, “If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for me, what is the point?”

I was born and raised on a farm just north of Saskatoon, near the town of Blaine Lake. After high school, I moved to Saskatoon to study, graduating with a B.A. in Psychology in 1991. Since then, I’ve worked in the mental health field with the Salvation Army (5 years), the Ministry of Social Services (7 years), Canada-Saskatchewan Labour Market Services (7 years) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic (17 years).

I started my master’s program at Athabasca University in 2014 and graduated in 2018. Shortly thereafter, I opened a private practice operating on a part-time basis that is now thriving. I’m leaving my public service job at the end of June 2023 and will be devoting more time to my private practice, where I’m increasingly specializing in helping people with trauma. I took EMDR training in early 2022 and now use this method regularly with my trauma clients.

I believe in Saskatchewan and I’m proud to be from here. The province is in great need of experienced counsellors, and I hope to be able to help increase the number of CACs in the province. I will do my best to be a spokesperson and representative for CACs in Saskatchewan. I’m also delighted that the advisor profession is about to be regulated in Saskatchewan, and I’ll be sitting on the FACT-SK committee. So much great work has been done and continues to be done, and we’ve never been so close to regulation that will enable qualified Saskatchewan advisors to have access to benefits and insurance on the same basis as other regulated professions in the province today.

It’s a pleasure and an honour to work and serve on the CCPA Board of Directors, and I look forward to the adventures and challenges of the next two years!

Bailey B. Carter (she/they) is a queer creative arts therapist located in Montréal/Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang area. As a lifelong lover of theatre and helping people, Bailey aims to continue cultivating inclusive communities for folks that have experienced violence and systemic oppression. Through their private practice, Bailey sees individuals from all walks of life and also works with community organizations to facilitate therapy groups imbued with the power of the creative arts. She specializes in working with self-identified anxious/perfectionist adults, artists struggling to find their voice, and members of the queer or neurodivergent communities. When she’s not being a therapist or doing advocacy work, Bailey can be found spreading the gospel of our need for playfulness at every age through making weird art, playing board games, or dancing like no one’s watching. Sometimes all three at once.

Monica Vautour is a Licensed Counselling Therapist (as of August 2024) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC-C) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Monica is a proud lifelong resident of New Brunswick, currently based on the Kingston Peninsula. She holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of New Brunswick, and Bachelor’s degrees in both Education and Sociology/History from St. Thomas University, where she was named to the Dean’s List. With a career spanning over 20 years, Monica recently retired from her role as Education Support Teacher-Guidance with the Anglophone South School District, where she supported children and youth with emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs. As part of the Child and Youth Integrated Service Delivery (ISD) team in Saint John, she worked in close collaboration with health and education professionals to support students facing complex challenges. Monica has also served as a school counselling lead and guidance counsellor for students in kindergarten through Grade 8, where she was responsible for delivering comprehensive, developmental programs aligned with the four key pillars of guidance: curriculum, student planning, responsive services, and program support. Monica brings broad expertise to her clinical work, including experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She has specialized training in a range of evidence-based practices, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and suicide intervention (ASIST). She has completed French language training to an advanced level on the New Brunswick Second Language Proficiency Scale and has also contributed to provincial curriculum development for wellness education. Currently in private practice, Monica provides counselling services with a focus on children and youth, using a strength-based, collaborative approach that values the therapeutic alliance as central to growth and healing. She is known for her highly developed skills in coaching, consultation, and teamwork within multidisciplinary environments. A long-time advocate for increased access to mental health services, Monica continues to pursue professional learning and community engagement. She and her family are active YMCA members, and she is deeply committed to supporting family-centred and wellness-focused initiatives in her community. Monica is honoured to serve on the CCPA Board of Directors and looks forward to contributing to the advancement of the counselling profession across Canada.

My life-career journey hasn’t been a direct flight, but rather a series of flights with layovers of varying lengths, as well as stops. These “journeys” have allowed me to paint a well-rounded picture to continue my adventures in this life, which remains as uncertain as our weather.

Academic Background

Regarding my academic background, I completed post-secondary studies at the University of Moncton in two stages: a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 and a Master’s in Counselling in 2004. Additionally, I earned a diploma with distinction in audio recording from the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology in London, Ontario, in 1995, between my two university degrees.

Professional Experience

I’ve held several positions within various organizations and ministries, in both the private sector and government (provincial and federal): the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, the Department of Social Development, the John Howard Society of Moncton, the New Brunswick Community College – Dieppe Campus, the Prince Edward Island French Language School Board, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), and finally, Correctional Service Canada.

While my job titles have certainly changed often, my deeply rooted knowledge as a counsellor has always guided me toward people who needed help improving their lives. This is still what I’m passionate about.

I’m currently working as a Correctional Program Officer with offenders at the Moncton parole office in New Brunswick, a role I’ve held for over 15 years.

Professional Involvement

I had the privilege of representing New Brunswick as the Francophone Director for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) between 2009 and 2015, and again from 2016-2019, with a planned return in 2025. It’s my pleasure to work for the benefit of the profession because, in doing so, I dare to believe that we are helping and will continue to help society.

Deanna Murphy is a seasoned professional and a dedicated guidance counselor, operating both within the school system and through her private practice. With a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology, complemented by Bachelor degrees in Physical Education, Religious Studies, and Education, Deanna’s comprehensive background spans education, formal counseling, sports guidance, and military experience. She brings over 30 years of expertise in youth and adult programs.

Deanna is a member of the Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapists of Canada, the Newfoundland and Labrador Counsellors’ and Psychologists’ Association (NLCPA), and was a CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist for 20 years until she transitioned her professional focus entirely to mental health in 2017.

Her counseling approach is rooted in providing a compassionate presence, guiding clients as they explore, gain new perspectives, and develop effective coping skills. She has completed trauma-focused training in Trauma Regulation Integration Processing (TRIP) and behavioral work in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), regularly utilizing these methods in her practice.

Shelly is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and a Counselling Therapist (CT) registered with the PEI College of Counselling Therapy. She has worked in the field of education for over 25 years and is currently a High School Counsellor. She also has a very busy private practice (Seeds of Hope Counselling) in Charlottetown, PEI, where she works with adult clients. She is contracted as a Counselling Therapist with the Worker’s Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island. Shelly is a Director with the Private Practitioners Chapter of the CCPA and Past-President of the PEI Counselling Association. She is passionate about helping others through her work as a therapist. Shelly has been a member of CCPA for 13 years and is grateful to be able to represent Prince Edward Island in her capacity as PEI Director. When she’s not working, Shelly loves to travel with her family, spend time with friends, go on daily walks in nature, and work in the garden around her home.