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
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Associate Professor, Counselling Psychology
2021-2023 Athabasca University, Ambrose University, Horizon Seminary
2007-2021 Providence Theological Seminary
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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