Deborah's Qualifications and  Training

Qualifications​

Deborah completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Social Justice from the University of Victoria. She later completed her Bachelor of Education with a focus on English Language Learners (ELL) and Inquiry at the University of British Columbia. She completed a Master of Education in School Counselling from City University and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC. Deborah's empathy, understanding and sensitivity has guided her as a teacher, and now, as a counsellor. She has worked as an inclusive education teacher at the elementary level, and completed her practicum and internship as a middle school counsellor.  Deborah is currently going into her third year as an elementary and middle school counsellor. Over the past ten years, Deborah has gained meaningful knowledge from her in school experiences. This has been very valuable in working with her private practice clients and families.

Training

In addition to her formal qualifications, Deborah engages in ongoing training, professional development and mentoring opportunities.

2024/2025:
Workshops:

• Nature Based Therapy in Practice: Human Nature Counselling 
  
• Sand Play Therapy 1, A Healing Journey for All Ages (Part 1)
• Sand Play Therapy 1, A Healing Journey for All Ages (Part 2) To be completed July 2025
  
• "Great Minds Don't Think Alike: Neurodiversity Informed Support in Schools"
• "Learning Through Loss: Grief in Children and Youth"

2023/2024:

• Lead a middle school BIPOC club
• Lead grade 5 Peer Helpers team
• Lead a Trauma-Informed Practice Workshop for Teachers and Support Staff of an Elementary School
• workshop: "How to Support Children of War" by Dr. Gordon Neufeld
• workshop: "The Nature and Dynamics of Moral Trauma & Vicarious Trauma" by Dr. Azin Nasseri
• Introduction to Nature-Based Therapy: Human-Nature Counselling Services (12 hrs)

2022/2023:

• Trauma Informed Practice 
• Mental Health Literacy Training

2021/2022

• Institute of Child Psychology Continuing Education:
• Depression in Children & Youth
• Supporting Children on the Autism Spectrum 
• Understanding ADHD in Youth 
• Fostering Emotion Regulation
• The Biology of Loss by Gabor Maté

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