Counselling Psychology

Counselling Psychology explores the counselling, mental health, identity, career development and well-being across educational, community and post-secondary settings. 

Faculty members in this area examine counselling psychology through scholar-practitioner, social, cultural, developmental and systems-oriented perspectives. Their research considers how social and cultural contexts shape identity, mental health, learning, career development and experiences of support across the lifespan.  

As a doctoral student focused on Counselling Psychology, you will engage in research on topics related to counselling theory, ethics, therapeutic relationships, assessment, evidence-based practice, counsellor education and supervision and the broader systems that shape mental health and well-being.

Note: The PhD is a research degree and does not include the clinical experience or supervision that leads to certification, registration or licensure as a counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist.

Research topics and course themes include:

• Career development and counselling
• Clinical supervision
• Community development and psychosocial reconciliation
• Competency-based educational technology
• Counsellor education
• Cultural safety
• Climate-informed counselling and human-nature connection
• Evidence-based practice
• Gender, sexuality, identity and mental health
• Implementation science
• Mental health, therapy and learning across the lifespan
• Mental health services research
• Program development and evaluation
• Refugee and LGBTQTI refugee mental health
• Self and identity formation
• Testing and assessment
• Theories of counselling and counselling skills
• Trauma
• Counselling with children and youth