The Future of Counselling Psychology Education and Training in Canada: A Post-Conference Reflection

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v54i4.70773

Abstract

This article summarizes and elaborates upon the themes discussed by members of the “Future of Counselling Psychology Education and Training in Canada” working group at the 2018 Canadian Counselling Psychology Conference (2018 CCPC) by 19 participants in attendance. Complexities in program requirements, external and internal program regulations, research competency and advancement, and cultural/social justice responsiveness and internationalization are explicated and analyzed. The current state of counselling psychology education and training is highly intricate and nuanced, while many strengths and opportunities for growth exist despite some long-standing tensions. It is hoped that this article not only will help outline and contextualize the current status and challenges facing the future of counselling psychology education and training in Canada but also will recruit others in helping to improve Canadian counselling psychology education and training. Advocating for what is needed to achieve this is consistent with the theme of the 2018 CCPC. Continued dialogue, program evaluation, theorizing, and research are needed on the nature and dynamics of Canadian counselling psychology education and training.

Author Biographies

Kaori Wada, University of Calgary

Kaori Wada is an assistant professor of counselling psychology in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Her research interests include grief, death and dying, feminist theory/research, and social justice.

Anusha Kassan, University of British Columbia

Anusha Kassan is an associate professor with a high-impact position in child and youth mental health in the School of Applied Child Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests stem from her own bicultural identity and are informed by a social justice lens. Specifically, her program of study centres on the migration experiences of members of different groups (e.g., youth, women, LGBTQ+ peoples) as well as the role of cultural and social justice responsiveness in psychology training.

José F. Domene, University of Calgary

José F. Domene is a professor of counselling psychology in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. His research interests include relational contexts of career development and professional issues in counselling and counselling psychology in Canada. He is also a registered psychologist in the province of Alberta.

Robinder P. Bedi, University of British Columbia

Robinder (Rob) P. Bedi is an associate professor of counselling psychology in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education at the University of British Columbia. His primary research interests are professional and training issues in Canadian counselling psychology and his emerging research focus is related to viewing counselling and psychotherapy as cultural healing practices. He is also a registered psychologist in the province of British Columbia.

Franziska Kintzel, University of Calgary

Franziska Kintzel is a doctoral candidate in counselling psychology in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Her research interests include social support, relationships, and identity in the context of health and well-being. She is also a provisionally registered psychologist in the province of Alberta.

Alyssa West, University of Calgary

Alyssa West is completing her doctoral degree in counselling psychology at the University of Calgary. She is a qualitative researcher whose interests include feminist theory, critical psychology, relationships, and grief.

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Published

2020-12-12

How to Cite

Wada, K., Kassan, A., Domene, J. F., Bedi, R., Kintzel, F., & West, A. (2020). The Future of Counselling Psychology Education and Training in Canada: A Post-Conference Reflection. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 54(4), 572–594. https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v54i4.70773

Issue

Vol. 54 No. 4 (2020): Special Section - Outcomes of the 2018 Canadian Counselling Psychology Conference

Section

Special Issue Articles/ Articles d'édition spéciale

License

Copyright is retained by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy.