I am a second year MA student in the Counselling Psychology program, particularly interested in mental health and social-emotional development among children and youth who experience marginalization. I completed my undergrad at UBC Okanagan with a double major in psychology and geography and following this spent time working as a caregiver in residential care homes for children and youth.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I was drawn to SFU by the faculty in my program and their specialized interests that aligned closely with mine. I was also excited about the idea of moving back home to Vancouver.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

My research will focus on the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program, a home-based school readiness program for vulnerable and socially isolated mothers with young children. HIPPY aims to help mothers prepare their children for kindergarten so all students have the opportunity to begin their formal education on a level playing field. My research will explore this program's impact on an important but less researched component of the program, parent-child relationship development.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

I have loved learning more about counselling from both the faculty and other students in my program. I have gained so much from being surrounded by others with similar passions and goals as me, yet with unique and diverse perspectives.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

I have received the Dean's Graduate Fellowship, BC Graduate Scholarship, and SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship. These awards have allowed me to focus on my program full-time, without worrying about finding additional work. SSHRC in particular helped me to feel more confident in my research project and motivated to do the research well.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM/POSTDOC POSITION TO SOMEONE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM OR POSTDOC POSITION?

What has surprised me about this program is the highly active role we get to play in our learning. We have the opportunity to teach others about our interests, learn about others’ work experience and expertise, experience counselling skills and interventions as both “counsellor” and “client,” and dialogue about these events along the way.

Contact Camilla: camillae@sfu.ca