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About Me

Professional Biography

I am a registered psychologist licensed to practice in Alberta.  I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Brandon University, a Master's degree in Counselling from Providence Theological Seminary, a Master's degree in Educational Psychology from Brandon University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary.  I have worked professionally at the Alberta Health Services Chronic Pain Centre in Calgary for the past 23 years, where I have provided direct clinical services to patients with a wide array of chronic pain disorders, particularly chronic headaches, and participated in the training and supervision of psychology students, interns, and medical residents.  I have been a registered psychologist since 2004. 

 

Within my professional role, I was the psychologist representative on a multidisciplinary panel for the Ambassador Project; a provincial project funded by the Institute of Health Economics tasked with the development of best practice guidelines for primary care physicians in the treatment of patients with acute and chronic back pain and headaches.  The guidelines developed by the Ambassador project were adopted provincially and promoted as best practice in Alberta.  I was also the lead psychologist contributor to public information on the therapeutic treatment of migraines published by Migraine Canada.  As an associate psychologist at Mandel & Associates, I have been conducting chronic pain, disability, and vocational assessments of individuals with chronic pain and mental health disorders since 2011.  The purpose of these assessments has been to assist in determining the severity and permanency of individuals' problems and employability.   I am a member of the Canadian Pain Society and an original board member of the Pain Society of Alberta.  I have given numerous presentations to professional audiences on topics of chronic pain, headaches, and mental health.  I have been a professor for many years, and I am currently an Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology at Trinity Western University, where one of my primary interests is teaching psychological assessment principles and skills to graduate Counselling Psychology students.

Education

2000-2004   Ph.D., Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary

1998-2000   M.Ed., Educational Psychology, Brandon University

1996-1998   M.A., Counselling, Providence Theological Seminary

1991-1995   B.Ed., Brandon University

Clinical/Counselling

2004-Current  Alberta Health Services Chronic Pain Centre, Calgary, AB 

2007-Current  Private Practice, Calgary, AB

2011-Current  Mandel & Associates, Calgary, AB   

Formal Assessment

2011-Current   Mandel & Associates, Calgary, AB

2009-2012     International Health Management, Toronto, ON

Teaching

2023-Current  Trinity Western University

  • Associate Professor, Counselling Psychology

2021-2023    Athabasca University, Ambrose University, Horizon Seminary

2007-2021    Providence Theological Seminary

  • Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Department Chair, Counselling & Counselling Psychology

1999-2000    Brandon University

 

Courses Taught:    

Introduction to Counselling, Models of Counselling & Client Change, Psychopathology, Psychological Assessment, Research Methods, Health Psychology, Human Development, Crisis Counselling, Group Counselling, Practicum & Internship Supervision

Consultation and Supervision

2007-Current   Private Practice, Calgary, AB

I currently offer consultation and supervision to individuals and groups (e.g., psychologists, educators, healthcare providers, students, ministry leaders, churches) on a variety of topics such as mental health, communication, coping with illness, group dynamics, career development, counselling, formal assessment, case conceptualization, and chronic pain. 

Professional Affiliations

College of Alberta Psychologists, Registered Member (#2969)

Psychologists' Association of Alberta, Member

Canadian Register of Health Service Psychologists, Member

Canadian Pain Society, Member

Pain Society of Alberta, Founding Member

AHS Psychology Professional Practice Committee, Former Member

Providence University College & Theological Seminary Research              Ethics Board, Former Member

Migraine Canada, Volunteer Speaker & Contributor

My Approach
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