Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (Online)

Having joined Yorkville in 2012 as a faculty member in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program, Dr. Hall currently serves Yorkville University as the Dean of Faculty of Behavioural Sciences. With a diverse background in mental health and higher education, he advocates for online learning, professional development and continuing education, faculty engagement, and student success. As a Registered Psychotherapist with an extensive clinical background working with underserved communities, Dr. Hall also passionately advocates for improved access to mental health services for vulnerable populations, including students. He has served on multiple boards, presented at provincial and national conferences, and has been published on topics of harm reduction and online counselling and supervision.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-hall-520605221/

Dr. Krista Schultz joined Yorkville University as the Associate Dean of Student Experience in the Faculty of Behavioral Science in 2022. Responsible for a variety of new student-facing initiatives, Dr. Schultz embraces the strengthening of the student voice in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) program. Dr. Schultz holds a Doctor of Education with Western University in Educational Leadership (International Contexts) and a Master of Science in Psychology as well as extensive work in the area of Clinical Traumatology. With an extensive background in post-secondary education and leadership including course development, asynchronous and synchronous delivery of courses, practicum facilitation and student supports, Dr. Schultz is a passionate advocate for equitable access to education. Her volunteer experience has included acquiring and facilitating post-secondary access for rural communities through stakeholder partnerships.
Dr. Schultz holds over twenty year’s experience as a Registered Psychologist working with complex needs youth and adults in the areas of educational supports, psychosocial programming, executive and adaptive functions, social/emotional wellness, and those requiring support in transitioning to adulthood. She specializes in psychological assessment including cognition and supports clients through appropriate diagnostic considerations. Her passion in working with first responders, educators, and with Indigenous communities in the field of trauma has resulted in global opportunities for invitations to present her knowledge with a focus on evidence-based and reflective/reflexive practise for a multitude of stakeholders. Dr. Schultz is a strong advocate for a person-centred life well lived with creativity, passion, and collaboration.

Dr. Samantha Wheeler is a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Maine with a clinical rotation at Health Psych of Maine. Her two-year post-doctoral residency was through Psychology Specialists in private practice with a rotation in a pain clinic.

Dr. Wheeler has experience in many areas of psychology including private practice, adolescent residential treatment facilities, medical hospital settings, pain clinics, and college campuses. She has provided therapeutic services to children and adults exposed to trauma, adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges, college students with a wide range of mental health concerns, and patients with chronic pain and health psychology issues.

Dr. Wheeler is currently a full-time Course Lead at Yorkville University. She has been teaching at the graduate level for over 15 years and with Yorkville University since 2014. She has formal training in clinical supervision and has provided supervision to numerous students in pursuit of licensure. She also works in private practice as a general practitioner facilitating counseling and conducting psychological assessments. Dr. Wheeler offers biofeedback treatment and primarily utilizes Interpersonal and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.  

Dr. Tamara Dalrymple brings to Yorkville University over twenty years of progressive leadership experience in various clinical roles including private practice, post-secondary settings, clinical mental health settings, and K-12 education settings. She is a member of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and has been practicing as a Registered Clinical Counsellor for over 20 years. Tamara is also board certified in EEG Neurofeedback (BCIA) and is an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.

Dr. Dalrymple holds a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) from California Southern University (Distinction) and an MA in Educational Leadership and Counselling from San Diego State University (First Class Standing). Prior to her full-time appointment at Yorkville University, Dr. Dalrymple worked as an Associate Director for an MEd in Counselling program and has held prior positions as an adjunct Faculty member, Provincial Mental Health Consultant, and Team Lead/Clinical Supervisor of a multidisciplinary mental health team. She is passionate about contributing to a quality student experience throughout practicum via a scholar-practitioner model of learning.

Dr. Nuttgens has been a practicing counselling psychologist since the late 1990s, with stints in private practice, youth residential treatment, and single session walk-in therapy. In 2005, he joined the Graduate Centre for Applied Psychology at Athabasca University as a sessional instructor and in 2007 assumed a faculty position until joining Yorkville University as an Associate Dean in 2022.

Dr. Nuttgens earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Hons) at the University of Victoria and his master’s and Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta. His scholarly output has centred on professional ethics, research ethics, supervision, and most recently, evidence-based practice. Dr. Nuttgens has become increasingly interested in reimagining how we as a profession conceptualize and promote evidence-based practice. During this time in Academica Dr. Nuttgens has retained a small practice at a local community-based agency near his hometown of Naramata, British Columbia.

Yvonne Hindes earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Calgary. She is an adjunct member of the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences and currently teaches for the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University.

She has extensive training and experience teaching both online and in traditional psychology programs, with course content ranging from ethics, theory, assessment, and other more practical courses to research and statistics. She was the recipient of SSHRC scholarships for her research in both her master’s and her Ph.D. Her research interests include mental health, resilience, childhood psychopathology, youth leadership, test construction, literacy development, and program evaluation. She has published work in peer-reviewed journals as well as she has presented at national and international conferences.

Dr. Hindes is also a registered psychologist and her specialty is working with children and adolescents. Through her clinical work she has worked with children with diverse and complex needs and within a public school board, a special education school, and private practice.

Dr. Hildy Bennett earned her Doctor of Education and Master of Education from Cambridge University specializing in Child and Young People Psychotherapeutic Counselling.  She has taught undergraduate and graduate students since 2014. This has included working in departments specializing in Psychology, Educational Psychology, and Counselling theory and practice. 

Dr. Bennett has worked with children, adolescents, and their families using an integrative model drawing on Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Gestalt theory since 2011. Interventions tend to be arts-based and include the creation and use of images, sand tray, clay, story and play to explore experiences, relationships, and the self. This work has been based in both schools and in private practice.

Dr. Rosina Mete is a Registered Psychotherapist (Ontario) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Dr. Mete joined Yorkville University in 2022 as the Course Lead for Assessment and continues contributing to other areas within the academic milieu. Before joining the Yorkville team, she worked in community health, hospital, academic, and private practice settings. She also has experience as an adjunct professor at other educational institutions. Dr. Mete has won awards for her academic and clinical work. Her research and publications include equity and access to mental health care, stress management, problem-solving and decision-making, and technology in education. She recently published a chapter, Conquering Mental Health Stigma and Developing Strategies to Reduce Workplace Stress: The CALM Model within the Handbook of Research on Dissecting and Dismantling Occupational Stress in Modern Organizations. She is currently working on publications regarding sensitivity and boundaries within online higher education as well as the importance of connectedness and compassion within higher educational leadership, respectively. Dr. Mete is on the Board Executive for the CCPA Counsellor Educator & Supervisors Chapter and a member of the CCPA and ACA. Her educational credentials include a BSc in Psychology from Carleton University, a MSc in Clinical Mental Health Counselling and a PhD in Leadership and Policy both from Niagara University.

Rochelle is the Director, Practicum Coordination in the Department of Field Training. She has completed her MACP at YU in 2010 and is near completion of the DCP program at YU. She has worked within the department of field training for over 10 years in a variety of roles.

Outside of YU, Rochelle maintains a small private practice in her community, she is an LCT with CCTNB and CCC with the CCPA.

Susan brings a diversity of life experiences to her role at Yorkville University. Prior to her counselling career, she worked for over 15 years in various finance, business, and leadership roles. Susan is currently the Associate Director of Practicum Sites in the Department of Field Training. She holds a Master of Counselling Psychology from Adler University and a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from the University of Victoria. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). In addition to her role at Yorkville, Susan maintains a small private counselling practice in British Columbia.

Victoria Newell is currently a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCC designation). She is currently working as Yorkville University’s MACP program as the Associate Director of Practicum, Applications. She has worked as a group facilitator for the Partner Assault Response program and has worked with men and women who have domestic assault charges and require mandated group counselling. Victoria graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling from Medaille College. She has also completed post graduate studies in Infant Mental Health at York University. Victoria has worked in a variety of settings including elementary schools, community counselling centers, and women’s shelters. When not working, Victoria enjoys exploring her creative side with arts and crafts as well as baking. She enjoys making things that her friends and family can enjoy with her.

Dr. DiGiacomo has been a psychotherapist working in the field of mental health for 22 years. He has worked in both hospital and community-based, and in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings and in private practice. Dr. DiGiacomo has a long history of graduate and post-graduate student supervision, and has taught in various university-based mental health and healthcare related programs. Dr. DiGiacomo’s specific therapeutic interventions of interest revolve around mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural and strengths-based practices. He is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). He has specific research interest and experience in counselling and psychotherapy interventions, clinical education, the definition and implementation of evidence-based practices, and knowledge translation. He has also authored and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles and edited book chapters and continues to peer-review articles for publication.

Avideh Najibzadeh is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and holds a doctorate degree (PhD) in General Psychology from Azad University of Iran. Avideh finished her PhD degree in 2018. Her dissertation was “The development of a coherent identity in a conflictual situation: religious and sexual development among Iranian Muslim Adults”. Within a mixed methods research framework, it examined the theoretical foundation of identity configuration through analyzing the life narratives which were collected around a conflictual issue of religion and sexuality. Avideh has participated in various research projects in Iran and Canada. She has taught interactive workshops in mental health and facilitated psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational groups in clinical or non-clinical settings.

Avideh has worked with clients in various settings such as hospitals, community centers, family health teams, crisis centers, and private practices and is trained in different trauma-informed trainings and brain-body based therapy modalities such as Brainspotting, Accelerated Resolution Therapy ART, and Internal Family Systems IFS. Avideh is a certified Brainspotting therapist. As a dedicated psychotherapist, Avideh conducts thorough psychosocial assessments, conceptualizes cognitive, behavioral, contextual, and relational formulations of the presenting problems, and implements effective treatment plans within different psychotherapeutic frameworks. She works with individuals with a history of complex trauma, dissociation, and treatment resistant depression.

Dr. Saj is a full practising member with the British Columbia College of Social Workers with a professional designation in clinical counselling. Her academic training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Criminology and Social Work, a master’s degree in Social Work (with a clinical stream) and a doctoral degree from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Saj’s doctoral research focused broadly on stress and conflict in practice, burnout within the helping profession and exploring coping strategies and self-care. She has declared competencies in clinical and counselling areas with children and adolescents, with some experience working with adults and families. Dr Saj is the Clinical Director of an Indigenous delegated agency and leads a team of child and youth mental health counsellors. Dr. Saj’s background extends from working as a clinical social worker and mental health counsellor within the Canadian Criminal Justice System and Ministry of Children and Family Development in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.

Dr. Seabrook (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (#17031),a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (#001849) a Certified Music Therapist (#0334) with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists, and a recognized Climate Aware Therapist with the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. She earned a PhD in Individualized Studies from Concordia University and holds a Master of Music Therapy with a specialization in Music Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. Seabrook’s research interests include intersectionality, music psychotherapy, and addressing the climate emergency in clinical work. Her work is published in scholarly journals, including: The Arts in Psychotherapy, and the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy.

Dr. Denisa Millette is an Atlanta-based Psychologist, a Licensed Psychotherapist, and is serving as a clinical director of a non-profit organization providing therapeutic services to single mothers involved in child welfare services. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Professional Clinical Supervisor. Dr. Millette currently serves as Chair of the International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling Professional Development Committee of the American Counseling Association. She obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in her country of origin, the Czech Republic. She obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and Research at Capella University in the United States where she currently resides. Dr. Millette is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, and Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology.

Dr. Jessica Cole is a licensed professional counselor and board certified telemental health provider with over 20 years of experience in behavioral health. Recently, she provided outreach services for residential treatment facilities covering Mississippi and Louisiana. Previously, she held the Director of Psychological Health position under the direction of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) for over 8 years. She has been a professor in the MACP at Yorkville University since 2019. Her experiences in behavioral health encompass many areas including inpatient, partial, and outpatient treatment focusing on issues including depression, addiction, and traumatic brain injury.  Nationally, she was president of the Integrated Care Interest group for the American Counseling Association and frequently provides lectures on a variety of behavioral health topics. Dr. Cole received her doctorate of professional counseling from Mississippi College, master’s in counseling from Louisiana State University, and bachelors in psychology from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Joel Geleynse, PhD., is a registered psychologist licensed in both Ontario (College of Psychologists of Ontario) and Alberta (College of Alberta Psychologists) and thoroughly enjoys his work in private practice serving adolescents, adults and couples. His training and designations have included Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C), Registered Psychotherapist (R.P), Clinical counselling hypnotherapist (C.Hyp) and RYT-200. Dr Geleynse is a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, the Canadian Psychological Association, Psychologist’s Association of Alberta, and the American Counseling Association. He is located in Hamliton/Beamsville area in Ontario and has a hobby farm with many animals that sometimes are incorporated into his sessions as animal-assisted therapy. His undergraduate degree was at McMaster University where he studied sociology and psychology. He is Yorkville alumni where he completed his M.A in this Masters of Counselling Psychology program. He completed his doctoral training in “Counselor Education and Supervision” with an addictions specialization at the University of the Cumberlands in KY, USA. As part of his PhD, he conducted a randomized clinical control trial of cranial electrotherapy (N=75) and attention which produced significant and meaningful results and he continues to pursue that direction in research in presentations and publications. Dr Geleynse enjoys guiding counselling students to find their unique genius in the field and to promote counsellor efficacy through equipping counsellors in training with a diverse set of tools to meet the evolving needs of our patients.

Dr. Lisa Salazar, DMFT, LMFT-S, LPC-S earned her Doctorate of Marital and Family Therapy at Loma Linda University. Dr. Salazar earned the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award from Loma Linda University’s Behavioral Science Department and the Doctoral Student of the Year Award from Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapists. Dr. Salazar earned her Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences-Psychology, with a minor in Early Childhood Education. She completed her Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She received the Outstanding Master Student Award from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and the Master Student of the Year Award from the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapists. Dr. Salazar is dual licensed as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and professional counselor (LPC), in the State of Texas, and is a Supervisor Candidate for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). She holds clinical memberships for American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, American Counseling Association, Texas Counseling Association, Bay Area Net, and is a Founding Member for the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapists. Dr. Salazar is also a member of Who’s Who in Universities and Colleges and the Psi Chi Honor Society.

For the past thirty years, Dr. Sue Sadik has worked in a range of fields, including federal and state government; education at both K-12 and college levels; law enforcement and public safety; substance abuse; and counseling. Having worked extensively in these varied areas, Dr. Sadik is proficient in a broad range of disciplines, including marketing, community relations, local outreach, public affairs, strategic planning, the organization of advocacy groups, evaluation, and assessment. Dr. Sadik’s education credentials include a master’s degree in higher education administration with a minor in counseling, a Master of Education degree in testing and measurement, and a doctorate in educational administration. Her areas of expertise are in the fields of psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, addictions, research, testing, and she has a private counseling practice.

Dr. Aaron Smith (PhD, Wilfrid Laurier University) has taught in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, and social work programs at universities across Canada for more than ten years. He is also a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) and has worked for numerous primary health care clinics, mental health institutions, and community-based organizations. He has received advanced training in Clinical Supervision, Sex Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia, Compassion Fatigue, and various forms of Couples Therapy, including the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Woven throughout Dr. Smith’s research is an emphasis on relationships and relational engagement. He has been interviewed by news outlets, published articles in numerous academic journals, and presented at organizations and conferences throughout North America on subjects such as self-care, mental health, education, spiritual care, peer support, domestic violence, and both social work and psychotherapeutic practice.

Dr. Bolanle Odulate-Ogunnubi is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the State of Illinois, USA, a board-certified counselor (NCC) by the National Board for Certified Counselor (NBCC). She has a Ph.D. in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior from Capella University, Minnesota. She graduated with honors from Governors State University Illinois, with a Master of Arts in Counseling, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

She is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), Certified Crisis Intervention Counselor, (CIC) and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). She specializes in depression, anxiety, self-esteem, work-related issues, anger issues, relationship and family issues, abuse and trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, grief and loss, stress management, substance abuse, personal growth, and coaching services.

Dr. Bolanle provides consultation, presentations, and facilitates training workshops and Employee Assistance Programs for some Federal and State Ministries and Agencies. She also facilitates training workshops for other therapists, communities, and workplaces on various topics.

Dr. Bolanle is a member of the Chi Sigma Iota, a counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, the American Counseling Association, National Board of Certified Counselors, and the Employee Assistance Professionals Association International. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She has a passion for advocacy on Gender Equality, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and other social welfare-related issues. She works in collaboration with some Federal and State Ministries to effect social welfare changes.

Dr. Jamie Swan is a Registered Psychologist practicing in BC (#2480) and Alberta (#4964). She began her career after attaining her MBA from the University of Birmingham (UK). She was involved in several business ventures before deciding to pursue her true passion, psychology. Dr. Swan received her Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and was the first graduate to attain the Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) designation. She continued to study at California Southern University, where she received her Doctorate in Psychology and became a Registered Psychologist.

Dr. Swan is based in Kelowna, BC and runs a small practice, Thriving Potential. She works with adolescents, adults and couples and is proud to work with a large population of RCMP members and Canadian Veterans. Her areas of clinical interest lie in trauma, stress, and burn out. She works collaboratively with her clients to create integrated treatment plans tailored to their unique needs and prides herself on a highly client-centered approach. Dr. Swan works with evidence-based modalities, in a supportive and empowering environment. She uses tools such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Solutions Focused Brief Therapy to help her clients achieve their goals.

Dr. Whiddon graduated from Barry University with a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Troy State University with a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology. Jana has been teaching in higher education in clinical mental health programs and in Counselor Education and Education for over 20 years. I have had the opportunity to focus on academic research in the counseling field for the past 10 years. Dr Whiddon continues a private counseling practice focusing on integrating traditional counseling methods with complementary and alternative treatments. Jana continues to research the benefits of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness in the treatment of mental health and wellbeing.

Dr Kelly Collins, Ph. D., LPC, NCC, NCSC, CCTP completed her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regent University. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (Oklahoma), a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Nationally Certified School Counselor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Outside of her academic role, Dr. Collins serves in variety of settings ranging from K-12 schools to mental health facilities and a private practice. She serves as the Chair of the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health licensure. She has presented at local, regional, state, and national conferences, and has been published on topics such as ethics, licensure, and working with military families.

Dr. Kimberly Nelson is a Licensed Professional Counsellor (TX, ND, VA, GA, LA, MD), a National Board of Certified Counsellors Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), Board Certified in Telemental Health Counseling (BC-TMH), a Chartered Psychologist in Alberta, and a registered yoga teacher (RYT). Her career experiences are varied including several years of teaching at traditional universities and colleges before transitioning to online teaching in 2004. Dr. Nelson’s clinical work is diverse and includes community mental health, private practice and assessment and counselling in schools from K-12. She currently teaches full time and maintains a small private practice in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Kirstin Dolby holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counselling, and a PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies with a focus on trauma from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. In addition to her counselling internships, Kirstin completed a Trauma Counselling Internship in India in 2016 with the Regent University Center for Trauma Studies.

Dr. Dolby is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with BCACC, a Certified Canadian Counsellor with CCPA, a Certified First Responder Counselor with Academy Hour, Certified EMDR Therapist with EMDRIA and Certified Clinical Traumatologist with the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology. She specializes in working with survivors and first responders. Dr. Dolby’s doctoral dissertation was a mobile website resource development project called First Responder Impact Event Support Services (F.R.I.E.S.S.). Dr. Dolby has experience in private practice, mental health resource development and training, as well as providing mental health first response.

Dr. Dolby takes a client-centered approach utilizing a holistic wellness model. She believes the foundation to good therapy starts with rapport and the therapeutic relationship between client(s) and counsellor. She works with all age groups and has experience with individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as facilitation of support groups and workshops. She has experience helping clients work through trauma (complex and simple), PTSD, mental health disorders, depression, anxiety, separation, parenting and grief.

Dr. Kristina Reihl is a Clinical and Sport Psychologist. She obtained her PhD from a Nova Southeastern University and completed both her pre and post doctoral residencies at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  She has an expertise in Sport psychology, trauma, and the stigma associated with mental illness. She has previously worked at the VA Medical Center in a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinical Video Telehealth Clinic and her areas of expertise in trauma surround evidenced based treatments for PTSD using video technology. She left the VA in 2016 and opened a private practice and has a passion for advocating for stigma reduction within mental healthcare.

Dr. Lisa Surrency, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, Registered Play Therapist completed her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at University of Holy Cross in New Orleans, Louisiana. She currently holds a counseling license in the state of Louisiana, as well as being a board approved supervisor. Dr. Surrency is currently a Registered Play Therapist and will soon pursue to become a supervisor for Play Therapy. In addition, she is a Nationally Certified Counselor and has predominantly worked with children and adolescents throughout her career. Dr. Surrency serves on the committee for the National Law and Ethics Conference held in Louisiana each year. She assists with organizing international trip to Italy and Ireland each year for counseling students and professionals. Dr. Surrency has presented on state, national, and international levels. Her areas of interest are play therapy, counselor self-care, and ethics.

Maliha Ibrahim (She/They), PhD, RP is a Mental Health Researcher, Educator and Psychotherapist. Maliha completed her MA in Counseling Psychology at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India, graduating with an award for best dissertation, then proceeded to attend the PhD program in Counseling and Family Therapy at Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA. Maliha holds certifications in multiple evidence-based clinical models including Attachment-based Family Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Emotionally-focused Couples Therapy. Maliha has over 12 years of experience as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, educator, and mental health researcher.

Dr. Mary MW Killmeyer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MT2678) in the state of Florida. She has been an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida since 2015 and joined Yorkville University as an Adjunct Professor in 2022. She earned a Master of Science and Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University with a specialization and focus on Medical Family Therapy. Her doctoral research focused on communication practices between primary care physicians and mental health professionals.
She has been in the therapy field since 2005 and has been the owner and primary clinician of her own private practice, Partners in Change, since 2012.
Dr. Killmeyer’s experience includes working in community agencies, private practice, patient advocacy, nonprofit organizations, and in educational settings. As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, she works directly with Registered Marriage and Family Therapists to consult on cases. Dr. Killmeyer also provides consultations to organizations to promote and enhance communication strategies and employee strengthening practices.

Dr. Glowiak has a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, and Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Walden University. His first professor role was at Benedictine University in Lisle where he taught in the Master of Clinical Psychology Program. He is Core Faculty at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Faculty Lead at Yorkville University (YU) in Canada teaching graduate counseling students. Matt is also a former private practice owner with multiple Chicagoland locations. Mental health is his passion. Whether as an advocate, clinician, professor, presenter, author, or otherwise; he is focused on bettering society. Much of this entails a concerted effort toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As an advocate for minority/oppressed populations, Matt serves as an effective ally with the “we are all in this together” mentality.

Dr. Penny Lane Hamblin has been a licensed psychotherapist and counselor educator since 2015. She trained in North Carolina gaining experiential practice while serving the mental health community, before settling into her private practice, PLC Counseling, PLLC in 2019. Dr. Penny Lane specializes in treating trauma and promoting trauma-informed language, as well as, viewing the world from a trauma lens. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focusing on treating adolescents. She also works with young adults with specific phobias, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Dr. Penny Lane’s work is directive focusing on body awareness, body sensitivities, and connecting the body to the mind. She combines awareness with mindfulness connecting choice to the physiological response embedded in the individual while recognizing body sensations. Dr. Penny Lane recognizes the connection of the body sensation leading the traumatic thought association and the importance of awareness. She focuses on healing the physical body in a mindful practice individualized to recognize one’s needs and the necessity of feeding the needs of the whole self. From a holistic lens, she treats the mind, body, and soul turning open wounds into scars of battle that tell an empowering story.

Education:

Ed.D, Counselor Education and Supervision, Argosy University, Sarasota, FL

M.A. Mental Health Counseling, Argosy University, Sarasota, FL

B.A., Psychology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Dr. Theresa Zolner, R . Psych. practices in the province of Alberta. She has a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Saskatchewan, and she did her predoctoral
internship (residency) at Alberta Children’s Hospital, with a rotation in dual diagnosis/substance use at the Foothills Medical Centre, in Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Zolner has experience in a range of settings, including private practice, school psychology, post-secondary education, forensic, not-for-profit, and government. She also has worked with many Indigenous Peoples and organizations primarily within Treaties 4 and 6.

Dr. Zolner has co-authored a popular Canadian child and adolescent development textbook, and she continues to engage in research in her areas of interest. She has devoted much of her career to working with people who have experienced racial, cultural, and spiritual oppression, trauma, and discrimination. She is experienced in both psychological assessment and intervention and has a special interest in cultural psychology. She is an active speaker, clinical consultant, and supervisor, and she has published a number of peer-reviewed articles primarily in the area of cultural psychology.

Dr. Abby Baumgart Huntley is a full-time faculty at Yorkville, course lead for PSYC6256 Applying Interventions, and a skills coach. She has taught in graduate programs for the past 5 years. She is also an adjunct instructor at The Chicago School of Psychology. Her teaching style is collaborative with a focus on guiding you on your path of learning and developing your counseling self. the owner of Oak Ridge Counseling and Consulting (www.wellnesswithoakridge.com). She has been a licensed professional therapist in mental health and substance use for nearly 10 years. She specializes in trauma and attachment, but is happy to support individuals and families through many issues.

Dr. Abby uses an eclectic approach that is catered to your style and preferences. Her overall goal is to provide you relief quickly and tools to move forward. Dr. Abby enjoys using horses, dogs, chickens, and the outdoors to help you heal and realize your full potential. She is a certified in Animal Assisted Therapy, TFCBT, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, DBT, Attachment, Motivational Interviewing, and more.

Dr. Abby is the president of The Wellness Co-Op, Inc., a non-profit that provides mental wellness and critical incident support to military, veterans, first responders, and their families at no charge to them. This is achieved through a team of clinicians and others who provide archery, hiking, therapy, projects and arts, animal-assisted activities, and retreats. (www.thewellnesscoopwi.com)

Alyssa Weiss, Ph.D., LMFT, CCPT completed her doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy and is currently a Florida Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).

Outside of academia, she has served in a variety of functions supporting mental health including private practice, program development, and program consultation. She has presented at a local, regional, national and international level, as well as, been published on myriad topics, including the therapeutic process.

Dr. Weiss holds advanced training in Traumatology, certification in Hypnotherapy and she is Level 1 IFS trained. She is a column editor for the Humanistic Counselor and serves on the editorial boards for Journal of Human Services, Journal of Adolescent and Family Health, and Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation.  She has also developed a curriculum at the masters and doctoral levels.

Andy Brown, Ed. D, LCMHC completed his doctorate in Counseling Psychology and is currently an Adjust Faculty for Yorkville University. Dr. Brown has partnered with Yorkville University for nine years and currently serves as the Course Lead for Crisis and Trauma.

Dr. Brown obtained his Masters in Physiology from the United States Sports Academy and integrates his two disciplines into his love for trauma treatment and resilience. Dr. Brown also holds advanced certifications in Program Management, Behavioral Coaching, Strength and Conditioning -R, Traumatology, Hypnotherapy, as well as level one and level two certifications in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brain Spotting. Dr. Brown also serves as the Vice President of Education for the International Trauma Training Institute.

I moved to Edmonton from Calgary in August 2007 after I finished my PhD in Applied Psychology at the University of Calgary. I am a Registered Psychologist and I have been teaching for MACP for over 9 years. I have taught in various other programs and faculties such as being a Clinical Lecturer for 1st-year Medical students and have taught online graduate counselling psychology courses since 2004.

I got to Counselling Psychology via a rather circuitous route: competitive athlete (figure skating and track); unfocused university student in Sciences (BSc at York U); professional athlete/performer (basically a paid vacation performing as a professional figure skater in over 50 countries); focused university student – Chiropractic degree (Toronto) and then practice (Saskatoon); MSc in Kinesiology in Sport Mental Training/Sport Psychology; BA Psychology (MSc & BA both at U of Saskatchewan); transition to Psychology as my hands and forearms wore out working as a chiropractor. I completed the course work for the MEd program (USask) before entering and then completed my Applied Psychology PhD (UCalgary). I am particularly passionate about culture-infused and diversity counselling and working with non-dominant and minority cultural groups. In my dissertation research, I looked at what might make it easier for minority sexuality clients to talk about sexuality with counsellors and psychologists.

I am still involved in figure skating as an official for Technical evaluation and had been on the Board for the Alberta-NWT/Nunavut Skate Canada Figure Skating Section for several years. I love being able to volunteer for a sport that has provided me so much enjoyment in my life. I also sing with the Greenwood Singers here in Edmonton and we do several performances a year including with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in December.

I am also passionate about life-long learning and teaching and I am looking forward to meeting you online.

I started my career working with adults with intellectual and/or behavioural issues. In my efforts to work with these individuals more effectively, I earned a Master’s degree in counselling and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology while working within the educational system and maintaining a private practice. While at Yorkville University, I have facilitated multiple courses ranging from Assessment to Practicum supervision and  worked closely with members of the Yorkville community to develop and revise courses. My current interests include research into best practices for behavioural issues, and working with individuals with mental health issues. 

Dr. Glenn B. Gelman brings more than 40 years of experience working in the helping profession, 36 years of which are as a doctoral-level Licensed Clinical Psychologist. During his career, he has worked in clinical, medical, organizational, forensic, and academic areas of psychology.

Dr. Gelman developed and/or directed several mental health practices and substance abuse programs. His varied background includes working in mental health and medical hospitals in administrative and clinical capacities. Dr. Gelman led the Division of Psychology for a major Chicago-area hospital as Section Chief. He administered programs in partial hospital, intensive outpatient, day-treatment, dual-diagnosis, wellness-center, and outpatient settings. Clinically Dr. Gelman has diagnosed and treated a diverse population of adults, couples, children, and families, across the full spectrum of mental health disorders.

Since 1987, he has supervised, consulted with, and trained mental health, medical health, human service, and allied health care professionals, as well as masters and doctoral students. Since 1999, he has taught students in in-seat, hybrid, web-enhanced, and online classrooms.

He has consulted with corporations and organizations, municipalities, social service agencies, religious leaders, and judicial institutions. He has served on health planning and oversight committees at the federal, state, and local levels. As president of a community alliance, he piloted an initiative to bring public and private sector professionals together to address community mental health care needs.

He is the author of several published articles and has been a featured mental health expert to community groups, radio talk shows, and newspapers. Dr. Gelman also served as a Reviewer for the Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY) and Sage Publications.

Since 1991, Dr. Gelman has served as Vice President and Executive Clinical Director of a private practice, located in the Chicago metropolitan area. As a practicing psychotherapist, Dr. Gelman provides direct mental health assessment and treatment services to adults, couples, children, and families.

https://yorkvilleu-tfs.zoom.us/j/7096796343

PIM #: 709-679-6343

Passcode:  998746

Dr. Gwen Zegestowsky is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist living and working in New Jersey in the United States. Her Bachelor’s work was in Behavioral Science and Addiction Counseling, her Masters in Human Resource Management and Organizational Leadership and her Doctoral training is in Clinical Psychology. She has been working in the field for over 20 years and has spent time in short- and long-term inpatient units, community mental health centers, partial hospitalization programs, independent outpatient offices, hospitals, assisted living communities, college counseling centers and both middle and high school settings. She has also worked in drug and alcohol research and in corporate consulting for executive performance enhancement.
Dr. Z has been teaching at the University level since 2007 and transitioned from brick and mortar to online education in 2012. She has been working as a Professor in the States focusing on curriculum development for graduate level courses in Addiction and Recovery.
Dr. Z is also a wife, mother, gardener, reader, runner, friend, volunteer and driver of small people to sports practice.

Dr. Inverpal Braich, PsyD, is a psychologist in both Alberta and Ontario. Specifically, he is a registered psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and a chartered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Dr. Braich has worked and volunteered in a variety of diverse roles in both the public and private sectors in mental health across North America including being a mental health practitioner, being an educator, being a supervisor, and more. As a mental health practitioner, Dr. Braich works with a diverse set of client populations and appreciates the diversity of experiences each client brings to the therapy room.

Jo is a full-time faculty and Course Lead for the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program and a faculty for the Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy program at Yorkville. Jo completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in management and her master and doctorate in counseling psychology.

Jo has been teaching in higher education for more than a decade. Her teaching focus is research methods at the master and doctoral levels. Jo has served on numerous dissertation committees. She has taught at the bachelor, master and doctoral level in business, education, and counselling psychology programs in various universities in the States. Jo has developed curricula for doctoral-level qualitative research and advanced qualitative research, master-level research & evaluation, and bachelor-level introduction to critical thinking skills, business ownership, and business financial literacy courses.

Jo has presented at the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Caribbean Congress of Qualitative Inquiry at the University of West Indies, Jamaica.

Jo’s professional career and her business and counseling psychology degrees have allowed her to have a broad range of skills and expertise in regulatory compliance,  risk management, fraud investigation, executive coaching, and consulting, as well as community mental health. Her recent independent consulting work included several applied research projects within the Office of Administrative Management at the National Institutes of Health. Her consulting specialties include organizational assessment and development, leadership development, performance management, and strategic planning. Jo also remains active in the mental health field through providing diagnostic assessments and treatment planning within the DC Department of Behavioral Health, Washington, DC.

Dr. Sanaz Adibian has a post-doctorate in clinical psychology. She obtained her Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston and then started her master’s at the University of Houston as part of Psi Chi (The International Honor Society of Psychology). She finished her PsyD. and her post-doctorate at Argosy University. Dr. Adibian has an extensive background working with clients of diverse backgrounds with various treatment needs. She has conducted individual and group therapy; including anger management, gang intervention, dealing with severe trauma of different various, parenting classes, stress management, and coping mechanisms, and is a licensed hypnotherapist. Dr. Adibian is an expert in regard to working with bipolar and personality disorder by looking at a more holistic approach that frees the mind as well as the body. She has been independently researching culture, beliefs, psychology, and linguistics for almost a decade.

Dr. Bree Fiissel’s professional designation is Registered Doctoral Psychologist (member of the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists – #636) with authorized practice endorsement (authorized to diagnose mental disorders). Her academic training includes a bachelor of arts in psychology, a master’s degree in educational psychology (focus on counselling psychology) and a doctoral degree from the University of Regina. Her doctoral research focused broadly on the stigma of mental illness. Recommendations for school-based mental health initiatives resulted from this research.

For 25 years, she gained practical experience working in the human service field as a counsellor, psychologist, director, and in the position of vice president of clinical services for a not-for-profit organization that provides a continuum of services to vulnerable children, adults, and families. In diverse roles she gained experience working with complex-trauma and co-morbid mental health and behavioural concerns. Since 2019, she has experience teaching at the graduate level through the University of Regina, Educational Psychology (Counselling psychology) program and as adjunct faculty for the MACP program. She has taught various counselling and assessment courses including theories of counselling, psychopathology, ethics, and many skill-based courses. Her past experience has afforded opportunities in supervising psychologists, provisional psychologists, certified counsellors, and practicum students.

Currently Dr. Fiissel has a private practice where she provides counselling and some assessment intervention to adults, adolescents, and families. She works a lot with trauma reactions and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Most commonly, she uses an integrative approach based on evidence-based approaches (e.g. CBT, narrative, solution-focused, etc.) which provides flexibility to respond to diversity considerations that are unique to client circumstances. Relationship is foundational to her philosophy in teaching and counselling and she really enjoys working with graduate level counselling students.

Dr. Kaitlyn Hillier obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies in 2009 from Athabasca University. Also at Athabasca University, Dr. Hillier completed her Master of Counselling in Counselling Psychology in 2016. She then completed her Doctoral studies at Walden University, achieving a Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology degree in 2019. Dr Hillier practices from a psychodynamic perspective and is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.