I have a PhD in Counselling Psychology, am a counsellor at Mount Royal University (Calgary), a counselling educator, mentor, supervisor, writer, researcher, and presenter. I have been a long-term member of CCPA and belong to several chapters (Career; Counsellor Educators & Supervisors; Social Justice; the Indigenous Circle, as well as the AB/NWT chapter). I have been involved with the latter three chapters since their inception and have served on the Board of the AB/NWT chapter as PD Director, President-Elect, President, and Past-President. At the national level, I served as the Regional Director for AB/NWT from 2015-19, was honoured to serve as President-Elect for 2019-21, and am excited about assuming the role of President for the 2021-2023 term. Recently I had the distinct privilege of being part of the dedicated team who updated our current Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, such a wonderful learning opportunity and way to contribute to our profession. I believe strongly in the ethics, values, and mission statement of CCPA and love the profession of Counselling! Please feel free to reach out, share stories, and/or ask questions—after all, this is our association and I am so proud to be of service—thank you!

Carrie Foster is the President Elect 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

I have been a guest on the beautiful unceded and unsurrendered Traditional territory of Wolastoqiyik since my birth and I currently live in Upper Kingsclear, New Brunswick along Woloastoq (our beautiful and bountiful river).  As a Canadian Certified Counsellor-Supervisor and Licensed Counselling Therapist, I enjoy serving in various professional roles such as clinical supervisor, practitioner, researcher, and faculty member at the University of New Brunswick.   It is an honour for me to walk alongside clients, students, colleagues, and many more teachers who impact my life, personal well-being, and professional practice every day.

It is both an honour and a privilege to serve as Past President for the 2021-2023 term and to continue to build upon the hard work and legacy of past Boards.  As your Past President, I will continue to work diligently and in collaboration with our dedicated 2021-2023 Board of Directors and our highly proficient National Office team led by our brilliant Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kim Hollihan.  Together, we bring diversity and a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and decades upon decades of experience, as we listen to and serve our members.  I am eagerly anticipating what we will accomplish together during this term of service, with the guidance and wisdom of Dr. Kathy Offet-Gartner, for our membership, association, and profession.

Wela’lioq, Woliwon!

Merci Beaucoup, With Gratitude!

Coming soon!

Kevin Alderson, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of counselling psychology from the University of Calgary. He has been a registered counseling psychologist since 1986 and served as president of the College of Alberta Psychologists in 2018-2019.

Dr. Alderson holds the highest level of membership within the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, and he is also a professional member of the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). Dr. Alderson sits on the editorial board of both the Journal of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse & Substance Dependence and the Austin Journal of Drug Abuse and Addiction. He holds membership in the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the American Counseling Association. Between 2008 and 2020, Dr. Alderson was the editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is the founder of both the first doctoral credential in the counseling and psychotherapy field in Canada and of its first doctoral program.

Dr. Alderson has authored 11 books and several scholarly articles and book chapters. His most recent books include Choosing the Right Counselor for You (2020) and The Concise Guide to Opioid Addiction for Counselors (2021), both co-authored with Samuel T. Gladding and published by the American Counseling Association. He is also the solo author of the 720-page textbook called Addictions Counseling Today: Substances and Addictive Behaviors (2019, Sage Publications). Additionally, he has expertise in LGBTQ+ issues, and has written extensively in this area.

He completed an MSc in clinical, school, and community psychology from the University of Calgary and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Alberta. Dr. Alderson is married and is the father of two adult children. Outside of counseling, he enjoys racket sports, dancing, hiking, camping, and weight training.

It is an honour to represent Saskatchewan as it’s Director for 2021-2023 term. Participating on the board is an enriching experience in so many ways and it is a privilege to be a part of a team that not only creates and develops initiatives at a Provincial and National level but breathes life into them and makes sure that they are enacted.

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor and a Registered Canadian Art Therapist, holding a Master’s Degree in art Psychotherapy from Concordia University in Montreal (1994), with undergraduate work being done in England. I have been in private practice for over 24 years and prior to that worked in First Nation Government with Health transfer, building resources and resilience within the 23 communities under its umbrella.  I have a wide range of experience in both urban and rural environments including Indigenous Communities. I have facilitated, presented, developed workshops and programming on a Provincial and National level and hope to continue to bring all the skills I have learned, through these various endeavours, to bear upon this position.

I welcome your input, insights and questions and look forward to continuing to support and advocate for our profession especially through FACT-Sk regulation efforts, third party billing pieces and decolonizing practices.

I am honoured to serve as the Regional Director for Manitoba and Nunavut. I value the commitment that members of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association have to high ethics and standards for services.

Since joining CCPA in 2004, I became a Certified Counsellor (CCC) as well as a Counsellor – Supervisor (CCC-S). I have had the rewarding opportunity of serving on the Manitoba Chapter Board and served on the CCPA Student Travel Awards Committee. I am a member of the Counsellor Educators and Supervisors Chapter.

I hold a Master of Education (Counselling) from the University of Manitoba, as well a Post-Baccalaureate in Counselling and Guidance from the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Sociology) from Brandon University.

Professionally, helping people learn, overcome challenges, grow and flourish is an ongoing passion for me. I am fortunate to be able to pursue this focus as a counsellor, counsellor supervisor and counsellor educator. I have worked in the field of family violence and trauma since the late 1980s helping families deal with the impact of abuse. I serve on several committees that work towards research, education and development in the field of family violence prevention and healing.

Since 2004, I have been the Executive and Clinical Director of Bravestone Centre Inc.  I provide clinical supervision for staff as well as university students doing their practicum in the areas of counselling. Since 2000, I have taught counselling at both the college and university levels, most recently in the Faculty of Education and Extended Education at the University of Manitoba.

I am excited to connect with my fellow CCPA members. Together we provide a strong voice for the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy.

I welcome your ideas, suggestions, and questions.

Hello and Salam!

I am honoured to serve as the Ontario Anglophone Director for the CCPA Board of Directors, to have the opportunity to work with dedicated counsellors on both the local and national level who are working for our profession. I join you from Mississauga, Ontario which is the traditional territory of the Mississauga’s of the New Credit. I’ve been with the CCPA since 2014 when I joined as a Student Representative at McGill University. I’ve since had the privilege of working on numerous committees and chapters. I have also served on the Board of Directors for our affiliate organization, the Quebec Counselling Association. I currently work in the community non-profit sector as a Mental Health Counsellor and am always looking for opportunities to connect with fellow counsellors and counselling initiatives. If you have an idea of how we can work together to serve the GTA/Ontario/Canadian counselling community, I would love to hear from you!

Thank you,

I am honoured to be joining the CCPA Board of Directors for another term in order to represent our Ontario Francophone members.

I am originally from a small rural town in Northern Ontario, located between North Bay and Sudbury.  However, I currently work and live in the Ottawa area, on the unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation.  I have been fortunate to study in French throughout my life, including, completing my Master’s in Counselling & Spirituality at Saint-Paul’s University.  In addition to my private practice, I have extensive crisis and trauma work experience.  I am also a workshop facilitator and trained instructor for The Working Mind and Mental Health First Aid through the Mental Health Commission of Canada.  I work primarily with older teens, adults and couples.

I look forward to working and collaborating with my fellow Board members and you, the members at large that we represent.  If you have any questions, concerns or ideas please do not hesitate to reach out, I would love to hear from you.

Arash Kameli is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with an MA from the School of Counselling, Psychotherapy & Spirituality at Saint Paul University, Ottawa, BA (Honours) Psychology from the University of Ottawa. Arash works in counselling in a wide range of contexts including: individuals and couples, LGBTQ+ clientele, anger management and with professionals seeking employee assistance. Some of his experience includes working with individuals & couples at Family Therapy in Ottawa; at the Student Success Centre at Saint Paul University, and in private practice (Ottawa & Montreal) since 2010. He is a Clinical Supervisor for first and second year students in the Counselling, Psychotherapy & Spirituality program at Saint-Paul University in Ottawa.; and formerly the QCA Professional Development Director and currently as the Public Relations Director. As the Quebec Anglophone Director, Arash wants you to know that he supports change and reform towards the proper recognition of and access to psychotherapy in Quebec; to make the needs of Quebec citizens known: for both the community and for the professionals who seek to support and help in the context of mental health.

Liette Goyer, Ph.D. is a full professor, guidance counselor, supervisor and psychotherapist. From 2012 until 2021, she was responsible for the master’s and doctoral programs in career sciences at Laval University in Quebec. She is associated with the pan-Canadian work of the Canadian Research Group on Evidence in Guidance and Career Development. His research interests focus on the foundations and practices of advice, guidance and intervention in employability with young people, adults and companies. In addition, she has acted as a career development consultant in Tunisia and Morocco in recent years. She specializes in the design and evaluation of digital guidance and employability platforms. Finally, she is interested in skills repositories in the field of career development.

Finally, she heads the Laboratory for the Analysis of Support Systems and Skills for Orientation (ADACO) affiliated with the Center for Research and Intervention on Education and Life at Work (CRIEVAT) at the University Laval.

I am excited to represent New Brunswick as its Anglophone Director for 2021-2023. I join you from the small town of Quispamsis, New Brunswick, a guest of the Wolastoqiyik territory.  It is a privilege to be a member of a fantastic cohort of individuals from across the nation.

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor and Licensed Counselling Therapist-Candidate, holding a master’s degree from the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. I worked for a few months as a Clinical Coordinator and then entered the school system. I have been working as a school counsellor since 2018. I believe in the importance of all of our children and youth having proper supports in their lives to encourage healthy emotional, physical, and psychological well-being.

When I am not working, I am volunteering for various mental health initiatives, including chairing and co-chairing the Suicide Prevention Committee prior to becoming the Anglophone Director of New Brunswick for the CCPA. I am also involved in the Highland dancing community where I run a lovely dance school and am the Board of Director for ScotDance New Brunswick.

I look forward to learning more about the CCPA and committees I am on, helping create initiatives, and connecting with more certified counsellors from my own province and other provinces.

I welcome any ideas, comments, and questions to help support and advocate for our profession.

Sylvie Arseneau has been a professor of counselling in the Masters of Guidance program at the Université de Moncton for over 20 years. She has served as President-Elect and President of the newly formed College of Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick (CCTNB) and provides ethics training to CCTNB members. Sylvie says she is fortunate to be able to combine her two great passions of counselling and teaching through her work as a professor. More than anything, she wishes to contribute to the evolution of counselling on both a theoretical and practical level.

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.

Corrine Hendricken-Eldershaw is a certified counsellor with 25 years of management leadership in the education and health sectors. Her career  encompasses counselling psychotherapy, consulting, diagnostic assessment, adult and health education grounded in humanistic psychology. She a former CEO of the Alzheimer Society and former lecturer at the UPEI Psychology Department.

Janis is a Canadian Certified Counsellor, clinical supervisor, and educator. Her practice is integrated and grounded in strengths-based, narrative, and solution-focused therapies. She is an EMDR therapist and works collaboratively with her clients using recovery-oriented practice. She is also a certified clinical supervisor and provides supervision services to new and experienced counsellors. Janis is the Peer Support Lead for Stepped Care Solutions, a non-profit consultancy group that aims to promote mental wellness through re-shaping mental health systems. Janis is also a sessional instructor in the Faculty of Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland and is a Doctor of Education student at Western University.

Tânisi!

It is an honour to serve as the National Indigenous Director!

My spouse, Michael, and I live in beautiful Canmore, Alberta where we spend lots of time in nature with our dog, Lulu. Lulu is a resilient rescue dog who offers support as a certified therapy dog 🙂

As a Métis Citizen of Alberta and a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, I am interested in supporting the CCPA in pursuits of continual efforts to decolonize with the intention of Indigenization and continued movement towards reconciliation and conciliation.

With an earned Ph.D. I am dedicated to continual growth as a registered psychologist, co-creator/director of our thriving private practice, Canmore Counselling and the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School, a registered yoga school for helping professionals. By integrating theory and practice, I am interested in experiences of cultural and holistic practices in relation to the counselling profession and as a support to those healing from trauma.

I have been a member of the CCPA since 2009 and an active board member of the Counsellors for Social Justice Chapter since that time. As the past-chair, and in this new role as Indigenous Director, I will continue to create opportunities to: supporting capacity building initiatives, participate in ceremonies, share teachings, and work collaboratively in responding to the TRC’s Calls to Action.

Looking forward to connecting with you!

With goodness,

Melissa Jay, Ph.D.
Registered Psychologist