CCPA Unsung Hero Award
This award will recognize special individuals within CCPA membership, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. These individuals have taken part in an inspirational activity for those in need or for someone unable to do things for themselves.
Nicole Imgrund has served with the CCPA, AB/NWT Chapter board since its inception. Her role was that of President-Elect, then President, then Past-President, and now Regulation Director. Nicole has been instrumental in advocating for the regulation of Counselling in Alberta. She has recently been elected as Chair of FACT-Alberta the group which is advancing the cause of regulation in that province. This position requires her to meet with members from a number of associations and professional organizations and the Alberta government to make the regulation of the Counselling profession in Alberta a reality. She has done this, and so much more with grace, integrity, class, and intelligence all in the name of CCPA, for the protection of the public and the right of everyone to receive competent, ethical, and professional counselling services from qualified and competent practitioners. Recently, Nicole was not only instrumental in assisting the Albert/NWT Chapter in hosting the third bi-annual CCPA Research conference, she facilitated partnering the conference with an evening with Clara Hughes for our conference goers and many, many members of the St. Albert community. For nearly six months she laboured, rallied, and promoted this event to schools, businesses, organizations and the community, personally backing the event to ensure it could proceed no matter what. Nicole also owns and operates Rivers Edge Counselling Services in St. Albert, Alberta, and mentors, supervises, and teaches in the Masters of Psychotherapy and Spirituality program at St. Stephen’s College, an affiliate of the University of Alberta in Edmonton. As such, many a student and practitioner owe their solid grounding in ethical practice, in part, to Nicole. Nicole’s impact on our profession and association extend far beyond her she is the pebble, who when tossed into the pond creates a chain reaction that extends and grows far beyond and for much longer than the original impact. What makes her even more endearing is that she does all of this in the service of others, not for glory, not for fame or fortunes, but because she believes it is the right thing to do. Without a doubt, she epitomizes the very essence of an “unsung hero”!