Upcoming Events & Professional Development Training

COntinuing Education Certificates of Attendance provided

Non-Members pay $75/ 1 hr; $100/ 1.5 hr; $125/ 2 hr

ACTA Members - FREE

(Members, you were emailed the FREE registration code)

Click here to join ACTA

Part 1: Indigenous Awareness Training

Leigh Sheldon, R. Psych

Friday, January 24th, 2025 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Non-Members pay $125

* Continuing Education Certificates of Attendance Provided

This introductory workshop delves into the effects of colonization on Indigenous communities, encompassing biological, physiological, mental, and societal aspects. It also explores the path to healing and growth through the Two-Eyed Seeing method and how we can work together as a community to promote healing.

Impacts of Colonization & Decolonization: The history of colonization and background contributes to what is being seen, cultural perspectives around trauma and mental health.

Statistics, Stigmas, & Myths: Review of research on current understandings, statistics around Indigenous mental health and wellness, stigmas and societal implications on our health and wellbeing.

Supportive Strategies: Review of Ethno Stress and research-based approaches to healing. Stress and trauma on the brain and body and how we can use this information to approach our Indigenous clients. How we use culture as healing medicine.

Healing Practices: Use of the Two-Eyed Seeing Approach in practice. Considerations of Western psychological approaches and Indigenous approaches to mental health and holistic healing.

Truth & Reconciliation: The movement towards Truth and Reconciliation. Building allyship. How we can work together in the mental health field to embody this in our work and move towards healing and growth.

Part 2: Bridging the Clinical and Cultural

Leigh Sheldon, R. Psych

Friday, March 7th, 2025 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Non-Members pay $125

* Continuing Education Certificates of Attendance Provided

An educational workshop that delves into the history, context, and modern consequences of the residential school system and its effects on Indigenous communities in Canada. It addresses the common types of trauma faced by Indigenous peoples, the impact of colonization and history on these challenges, cultural perspectives on trauma and mental health, Indigenous practices for mental well-being and holistic recovery. The workshop also explores evidence-based therapeutic methods and ways to connect Western psychological techniques with Indigenous healing traditions, offering a range of tools and strategies for those assisting others. Participants can anticipate interactive activities and real-world applications during the workshop.

Background & History: Basic overview of history, background, and current understandings of the residential school system and its effects on the Indigenous population in Canada. Review of current statistics and trends.

Clinical & Cultural: Use of the Two-Eyed Seeing Approach in practice. Considerations of Western psychological approaches and Indigenous approaches to mental health and holistic healing. How we use culture as healing medicine.

Types of Trauma: Types of trauma most commonly seen among Indigenous populations, how history of colonization and background contributes to what is being seen, cultural perspectives around trauma and mental health.

Intergenerational Healing & Growth: Review of Ethno Stress and research-based approaches to healing. Stress and trauma on the brain and body and how we can use this information to approach our Indigenous clients.

Indigenous Experiential Techniques: Different techniques that provide tools for people working with others. Practical application and exercises throughout the workshop.

Leigh Sheldon, R. Psych

Mrs. Leigh Sheldon is a Registered Psychologist from Swan River First Nation with extensive experience in both clinical practice and academia. She has served as a professor, teaching Indigenous Psychology and LifeSpan Development at the University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills. In 2021, Leigh founded Indigenous Psychological Services (IPS), which now has 33 practitioners with offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Sawridge First Nation, and Enoch Cree Nation.

Leigh has been in the mental health field since 2003, beginning her work in northern communities to support healthy choices for Indigenous families. After moving to Edmonton, she spent six years as a clinical supervisor at Night Wind Treatment Center, where she developed a treatment program that honored the Wheel of Change.

As a complex trauma specialist, Leigh is a certified Somatic Attachment Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and EMDR practitioner, and is currently training in Indigenous Focused Oriented Therapy. She uses Indigenous trauma-informed techniques that honor the Medicine Wheel, integrating cultural practices into clinical settings. Her work emphasizes the impacts of colonization, historical influences, systemic racism, and oppression.

Leigh honors the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, blending Western and Indigenous perspectives in her practice. Through experiential activities and land-based healing, she demonstrates the importance of holistic approaches and the connection to land as a pathway to healing.

Support Sixties Scoop Survivors with Understanding and Competencies for Counselling Professionals

Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta (SSISA)

May 9th, 2025, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Non-Members pay $125

* Continuing Education Certificates of Attendance Provided

Gain insight into the unique experiences and historical trauma of Sixties Scoop survivors through the personal narratives of the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta (SSISA). These stories will help you understand the impact on survivors and their families and enhance your ability to support other Sixties Scoop Survivors.

Join us for an interactive session with opportunities for dialogue and engagement during the Q&A period.

Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta (SSISA)

Past Events & Professional Development Training

Please note, recordings are not available.

Clinical Supervision, Ethics and Regulatory Issues

Friday, November 22, 2024 12:00 Noon - 1:00pm

As supervisors, how is it possible to balance a supportive relational approach to clinical supervision with our responsibility as supervisors to evaluate supervisees’ competencies and protect the public from substandard practice. In this presentation, Jeff will describe an approach to intentional transparency on the part of supervisors to optimize the supervisory relationship, describe a framework to orient supervisors to relational evaluation, and emphasize the need to anchor supervision in competency profiles.

Dr. Jeff Chang, R. Psych, RMFT-SM

A Registered Psychologist (AB) since 1987, Dr. Jeff Chang is a professor in the Master of Counselling

program add Athabasca University. He holds supervisory credentials from the American and Canadian

Associations for Marriage and Family Therapy. Jeff wrote and curates the Psychologists’ Association of

Alberta’s supervision course. Besides supervising a cohort of registered provisional psychologists, Jeff

provides parenting assessment with high conflict divorcing families and directs the psychological

services at an inclusive education school in Calgary.

Ethical Boundaries in Counselling

Friday, October 25, 2024 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

* Continuing Education Certificates of Attendance Provided

Creating and maintaining ethical boundaries in professional counselling is a central competency for all counsellors. In this presentation, we will:

Explore various types of boundaries and their role in maintaining ethical practice.
Reflect critically on the conceptual understanding of boundaries and their impact on professional relationships.
Discuss the significance of boundaries in preserving ethical standards in counselling.
Review models for managing boundary crossings and dual relationships.

Dr. Simon Nuttgens, R. Psych

Dr. Simon Nuttgens’ scholarly interests include the pedagogy of distance counsellor education, professional ethics, research ethics, supervision, and evidence-based practice. Simon has a long history with the CCPA and has been fortunate to have participated in key initiatives including the development of the nationally-validated clinical supervision competency profile and the revision of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Simon has worked as a counsellor since 1996, providing therapeutic services primarily to children, youth, and families. Simon embraces a collaborative approach to counselling with an emphasis on harnessing the unique healing and problem-solving capacities inherent to every client.

Annual General Meeting 2024

Friday, June 21 2024

12:00 - 1:00 pm

*AGM is for members only

*Members of ACTA will receive an email to register for the AGM

Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Tribal Council (G4 Health)

Creating a Pathway for Better Understanding Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Health Competencies

Part - June 20, 2024

Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Tribal Council (G4 Health)

Sharing a deeper understanding about the Îyethka and Tsuut’ina peoples is a priority for G4 Health, which is a department within the Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Tribal Council. The presentation “Creating Pathway’s for Better Understanding” was designed with the teachings shared by Knowledge Holders within the G4 Health Program. The goal for the presentation is to create spaces that allow for a deeper understanding into the distinct cultures, histories, and experiences of the Îyethka and Tsuut’ina peoples.

The presentation will focus on sharing a cultural competency framework that was developed in collaboration with Îyethka and Tsuut’ina representatives that are active Elders and Knowledge Holders. Understanding the worldview from a Îyethka and Tsuut’ina perspective will support enhanced cultural competency and allow learners to further shape their approaches when providing services to Îyethka and Tsuut’ina peoples.

Margo Dodginghorse, CFNHM

Margo Dodginghorse is from the Siksika and Tsuut’ina Nations of Treaty 7. Margo has found strength in her foundational teachings and has committed herself for nearly 20 years towards advocacy for the health and well-being of First Nations in Alberta. She has spent most of her career representing multi-nations as a health advisor and advocating from a First Nation perspective. She has received many teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the communities of Treaty 7 and has advocated at the community, regional and national level.

Tessy Big Plume

A Relational Ethics Primer

Dr. Simon Nuttgens, R. Psych

May 9, 2024 12:00-1:00 Webinar

This presentation will introduce a relational approach to counseling ethics, complementing the traditional principle-based ethics. While principle-based ethics relies on established principles like beneficence and autonomy, relational ethics emphasizes an ongoing attunement to how we should engage with clients throughout the entire counseling relationship. Unlike principle-based ethics, which is often invoked in crises, relational ethics advocates for a continuous, moment-to-moment ethical presence in all aspects of client interactions.

Ethical Decision Making: When to, Why to, and How to.

Dr. Simon Nuttgens, R. Psych

April 11, 2024 12:00-1:00 Webinar

In this presentation you will learn about the importance of ethical decision making in the professional work of counsellors; when the decision-making process ought to be engaged; and how to improve the effectiveness of the ethical decisions that we make.

Townhall - April 10, 12 2024

Register for townhall to hear updates from the Board and CEO, including:

ACTA’s role moving forward with the Government’s new direction
Reopening registration once we have completed the membership renewals
FAQ’s

February & March, 2024

About the Learning Series

This is a two-part learning series focused on supporting professionals to understand farmers, their culture, and ways to communicate more effectively with them in therapeutic settings. All content is evidence-based and includes case study examples.

Dr. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson is an Applied Social Psychologist and Professor at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus. She is also the Lead Researcher of AgKnow, the Alberta Farm Mental Health Network. Her research focuses on health, resilience, and employment issues in agriculture. Over the past 20 years, she has conducted studies that examined how individuals with chronic physical and/or mental health conditions adapt at work, and what strategies help them build and sustain resilience to ongoing work stressors. Now working with community partners across Alberta and other researchers across Canada, she is examining the mental health and well-being among farmers, their families, and those in the agricultural industry. This line of research is a natural fit for Dr. Purc-Stephenson as she lived on a farm, worked as a farm labourer on a large livestock operation, and is a survivor of a childhood farming accident.

Part 1: Understanding Farm Culture

This interactive workshop provides an overview of what farm culture involves. The goal of this workshop is to provide an understanding of what makes farm culture unique and how it is related to mental health. By the end of the workshop, attendees will understand (a) the common stresses farmers experience, (b) how Alberta farmers define farm culture, and (c) how farm culture relates to mental health.

Dr. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson

Webinar offered at two separate times : February 5th at 12:00 - 1:30 OR 6:00 - 7:30pm

Part 2: Delivering Mental Health Support Services in Rural Areas to Build Therapeutic Relationships

How do therapists and social service providers successfully deliver mental health support to people living in rural areas? This interactive webinar describes the findings from our recent study that explored this question. In this session, attendees will learn: (a) what types of mental health support resources currently exist across the province, (b) what barriers farmers face in accessing support, (c) what strategies providers find helpful to encourage farmers to seek support, and (d) ways to integrate farm culture knowledge into patient care plans.

Dr. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson

Offered at two separate times : March 11, 2024 at 12:00 - 1:30 OR 6:00 - 7:30pm

TOWN HALL

Register for an update from ACTA Board. Both sessions will be the same information offered at two different times to accommodate schedules.

January 24, 2024 @ 12:00-1:00

Or

January 25, 2024 @ 7:30-8:30pm

MITIGATING LIABILITY RISKS IN CLINICAL SUPERVISION AND CLINICAL CONSULTATION

Micheala Slipp, EdD, RTC-C, CCS, ATR, RCAT, SEP

January 15, 4:00-5:30 2024 - Webinar

This session will explore the nature of jurisprudence in Canada as it relates to vicarious and direct liability for clinical supervisors and consultants. It will detail the findings from Micheala’s independent research completed as part of the LLM degree requirement at Osgoode Hall Law School. It will provide insights into considerations and strategies that can be applied by practitioners in mitigating liability.

Micheala Slipp, EdD, RTC-C, CCS, ATR, RCAT, SEP is a clinical consultant and supervisor, counsellor, art therapist, educator, and researcher. She holds a Doctor of Education, a Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapies and is currently completing a Master of Laws in Health Law at Osgoode Law School, York University. She is also completing CIHR funded post-doctoral research on the regulatory governance of counselling therapy and psychotherapy across Canada. Micheala has taught within several clinical graduate programs across Canada and is currently adjunct faculty within Athabasca University’s Faculty of Health Disciplines. She operates a private practice consulting for agencies and supporting practitioners working in rural, remote, Northern, and Indigenous communities.

How to Become an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Practitioner (past)

November 16, 12:00-1:30 Webinar

Facilitator: Gina Ko, Ph.D.

In this presentation, Gina will share her experience as a Registered Psychologist working with racialized

clients. She will offer how she talks about racism and oppression in sessions so that clients feel heard,

seen, and acknowledged. She will share some examples of such moments using composite stories as she

is mindful of confidentiality. She believes in the importance of moving beyond multicultural counselling

and toward taking action against racism; hence the becoming of an anti-racist and anti-oppressive

practitioner. She will talk about her podcast, “Against the Tides of Racism” and the journey of starting it,

maintaining it, and what she has learned from her incredible and diverse guests. The audience will walk

away learning specific strategies and techniques to honour their racialized clients’ lived experience in

multiple ways.Annual General Meeting - past

Gina Ko, Ph.D. (Educational Leadership), is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. She resides in Calgary,

Treaty 7 territory. She has a private practice and works with individuals, couples, and families using

culturally responsive, socially just, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive positionalities. She is the producer

and host of a podcast, “Against the Tides Racism,” whereby she interviews diverse racialized guests. The

podcast aims to generate awareness, foster community, and create transformation by coming together

to lean into the inspiring work of anti-racism. Each episode ends with calls to action. Gina is the Director

of Mental Health for the Asian Gold Ribbon Campaign and aims to enhance Asian mental health in

Canada. She has taught for several post-secondary institutions in a Bachelor of Education program

(University of Calgary) and Master of Counselling programs (Athabasca University, City University,

Calgary). Gina received the 2022 Psychologists’ Association of Alberta “Excellence in Teaching

Psychology Award.”AGM 2023

AGM 2023

June 2, 2023, noon - 1:00 p.m.

By video conference

On June 2, 2023, from noon - 1:00 p.m., the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta will hold its Annual General Meeting. It will be held by video conference. Only members in good standing of ACTA may attend the ACTA AGM.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the AGM.

Submit your questions in advance to: registrar@acta-alberta.ca.

The main items of the meeting will be the audited financial statements, and an update regarding regulation of the professions. An agenda will be posted on the ACTA website closer to the meeting date

YOUR CONSENT PROCESS – IS IT A BIT BORING? LEARN SOME STRATEGIES TO ENGAGE YOUR CLIENTS IN LEARNING ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS. (past)

March 7, 2023, 11 am-1:00 pm

Facilitator: Dawn McBride

This will be an engaging professional development seminar where numerous strategies will be shared to encourage the client to be an active participant in the consent process. Professor Dawn McBride will share how she uses props, expressive arts, and metaphors to help clients realize the great importance of the consent process in counselling. Professor Dawn will also invite discussion of your pet peeves surrounding the consent process and explore ways we can make the consent process more enjoyable for all parties. All are welcome.

Dr. Dawn McBride is an associate professor in counsellor education (University of Lethbridge, Canada) and is a registered psychologist in Alberta. Her main areas of study include relational ethics – consent and record keeping, multiculturalism, supervision/training, family violence & trauma, and the advance use of many therapeutic approaches (e.g., emotional regulation, EMDR, play therapies, psychodynamic, somatic interventions, & transactional analysis). She has won numerous teaching awards and has an active research agenda.

Her webpage: www.dawn-mcbride.com

Counselling With Indigenous Peoples - Part One (Past)

March 17, 2023, 12:00-2:30 pm

Facilitator: Sharon Ann Foster

This workshop is intended to increase counsellor knowledge in the IRS system and other colonial policy impacts on Indigenous peoples’ health and wellness in Canada to increase cultural safety and competency counselling with Indigenous peoples. Involving the intersection of Treaty, reconciliation, mental health and Western and Indigenous counselling approaches, counsellors will have a chance to reflect on their knowledge, understanding and skills. Participants will be given the tools to self-locate with reconciliation and Indigenous experience and history alongside their own. This workshop is 2.5 hours long and is one half presentation and the other, Q and A from participants.

Sharon Ann Foster has 15 years plus teaching in diverse environments and in many settings including: culture camps, conferences, outdoor educational leadership, middle and secondary public and charter schools, university undergraduate and graduate courses. Also trained in mixed methods Indigenous health research at the PhD level, Sharon Ann has also been teaching and training future teachers, counsellors, social workers, and health researchers. Having been a guidance counsellor in the school system as well as a counsellor and scholar-consultant with Alberta Health, First Nations University, University of Calgary, Spark Science Center, Sharon Ann prefers working to support system improvement from the outside now and now currently running a private practice, research & education consultancy business.

DOCUMENTATION - SOME INS AND OUTS OF WRITING “SMARTER NOT LONGER” SESSION NOTES (Past)

April 22, 2023, 11:00 am-1:00 pm

Facilitator: Dawn McBride

What do I put in my session notes? Are my session notes too long? I dread writing my session notes – do you have any tips on how to speed up the process and make the process easier on me? Professor Dawn McBride will introduce a variety of strategies to make your session note process efficient, ethical, useful, and meaningful to all parties. Professor Dawn will advocate for a relational, compassionate approach to session counselling notes to replace the medical model approach that is so often used. This PD seminar promises to be jam packed. All are welcome.

Counselling With Indigenous Peoples - Part Two (Past)

May 26, 2023, 12:00-2:00 pm

Facilitators: Sharon Ann Foster and Walter Whitebear

By receiving teachings on the Medicine Wheel and other Traditional Teachings, participants will gain insight into Indigenous approaches of healing applicable to counsellors while understanding protocols and cultural safety. Walter’s experience working with Indigenous peoples in healing contexts and his own personal story will be informative for counsellor practice including their own way of approaching spirituality in counselling. Hearing stories and music, this will be a holistic engagement with Indigenous healing wisdom. This workshop is two hours long and is one half presentation and the other, Q and A from participants.

Walter MacDonald White Bear is a Cree singer-songwriter originally from the First Nation of Moose Factory, Ontario. Walter is an educator, performer and motivational speaker and has been performing acoustic and flute music for several years. Walter has been featured as a keynote speaker at various conferences with topics including Social Services, Justice, Education, Wellness and the Environment. Walter's music reflects his personal journey as a First Nations person in Canada. He has shared his cultural knowledge with various audiences that range from correctional services to principals, teachers and students.

Fair Assessment Practices: Strengthening the Alliance of Supervisors and Supervisees (Past)

Friday, June 9th, 2023, 9:00 am -11:30 am MT

Facilitator: Lorna Martin

This session, designed for both supervisors and those they supervise, focuses on the importance of fair, transparent assessment practices and alliances that enhance professional knowledge, skills, and judgment. The goal of this introductory session is to expand perspectives for safer environments for supervisors, supervisees, and the clients they serve using a competency-based approach.

Lorna Martin, PhD, CCC is President of the COMPASS Centre for Examination Development. Previously the President of CCPA (2011-2013), a Provincial Consultant for Counselling with Manitoba Education, and a counsellor educator at the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg, she has supported counselling and psychotherapy initiatives for more than 30 years, consulting with intersectoral groups, organizations, and associations around the world and close to home. She is an international presenter, author and editor of multiple books and resources, educational materials and articles focusing on counselling and psychotherapy, supervision, ethics, standards of practice, suicide prevention and postvention, and education. Formerly a certified teacher in two provinces, a certified school counsellor, a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and a trained arbitrator; Dr. Martin’s doctorate in Education (counselling) followed studies at the University of Manitoba and York University.

Student town halls

Are you a student and want to know more about how you can help support regulation? Do you want to know more about the benefits of joining ACTA? Attend one of the town halls we are offering this summer:

September 23, 2022, 12 - 1 pm

Employer information sessions (open to anyone)

ACTA is offering two information sessions geared toward answering employer questions about regulation and how they can support the efforts to encourage this Government to finally proclaim the legislation and open the CCTA. Although geared towards employers, we encourage anyone interested to attend.

September 6, 2022, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

September 7, 2022, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm