The Hub AU alumna wins two CCPA awards

AU alumna wins two CCPA awards

Athabasca University (AU) alumni, Micheala Slipp, has won two Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) awards—the Doctoral Dissertation Award and the Chapter of Counselling Educators and Supervisors Dissemination Award for Doctoral Research.

We caught up with her to ask about her reaction to winning, and learn more about her field of work.

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How did you feel when you found out you won two CCPA awards?

I was delighted at receiving this honour. It’s great to be acknowledged after working so hard on a project for so many years. I was amazed at all the different ways that doctoral studies are challenging—it really challenges all aspects of the student’s life.

Micheala Slipp

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What effect will these accolades have on your career?

I hope it might be helpful in obtaining grant funding so that I can pursue further research. I am quite passionate about advancing clinical supervision practice across Canada and in increasing supports for counsellors working in rural, northern, remote and, rural Indigenous communities.

Micheala Slipp

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What aspect of counselling do you find the most rewarding?

I tend to work primarily in trauma counselling and assist clients in achieving safety, balance, and stabilization after periods of acute emotional trauma. It’s rewarding to see people not only regain a sense of themselves, but to see how many people use traumatic experiences to transform their lives, and often end up living even more fully than they were prior to the crisis. It’s quite inspiring and humbling to be able to walk beside people in this journey.

Micheala Slipp

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How are consulting and art therapy intergraded into your practice?

I have been a counsellor and art therapist for 17 years. Image and metaphor can be really helpful in communicating and processing difficult emotional material, especially when working across cultural contexts. At this point most of my practice is directed towards consultation and clinical supervision of counsellors and therapists at various points along the career span. I have been supporting counsellors in remote locations through video-conferencing since 2010. I also work with students and teach at several institutions across Canada. I currently teach some courses within Faculty of Health Disciplines and really enjoy animating the virtual teaching environment.

Micheala Slipp

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What program did you take with AU?

I completed the Doctor of Education in Distance Education at Athabasca (University). My research looked at how video-conferencing clinical supervision can support counsellors working in rural, remote, and northern settings to mitigate compassion fatigue.

Micheala Slipp

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Which instructors were instrumental in your success at AU?

My dissertation supervisors were Dr. Marti Cleveland-Inness and Dr. Connie Blomgren. Prior to beginning the dissertation process, I worked with Dr. George Siemens and Dr. Susan Bainbridge whose teaching styles resonated with me.

Micheala Slipp

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  • April 21, 2021