A unique initiative: Q&A with Master of Counselling Learner, Shelbi Snodgrass

I began the Master of Counselling program in September 2018 and will complete the program August 2021, pending a successful thesis defense.

The speaker series initiative focused on important topics in sport/performance psychology and connected student/athletes and staff to experts in the field and Olympic athletes pertaining to the monthly topics including: Mental Wellness and COVID-19 from the Athlete Perspective; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; and the Coach/Athlete Relationship.

My passion for personal growth, self-acceptance, and empowerment informs my approach to mental performance consulting. Therefore, identity development and relationship building lay the foundation of my work with student athletes/teams.

I chose to create a speaker series as a first-time initiative for the MPC program at Douglas College in response to COVID-19 and the need for connection, community, empowerment, and resiliency building amongst the student athlete population, and Douglas College at large.

These topics were chosen with the hopes of creating a safe educational learning environment to discuss important issues facing staff and student athletes. The series highlights the complexity in dismantling systems and seeks to gain suggestions on how to safely—both individually and collectively—contribute change from the perspective of Olympic athletes, experts in EDI (including anti-racism policy), and coaches from post-secondary institutions across Canada.

The Q&A also provided students and staff the opportunity to ask individual speakers and panel members their questions directly.

I hope my initiative will:

• inspire people to reflect on their lived experience and intersecting identities related to the topics at hand;
• normalize lifelong learning, being human, and self-acceptance/self-care during a time of immense change and uncertainty;
• encourage people to educate themselves on a topic that interests them, and be patient with themselves during times of change;
• demonstrate to student athletes that they are valued and their voice matters;
• highlight gaps/opportunities for change within the system; and,
• support mentorship relationships, self-advocacy, and empowerment.

My speaker series initiative was inspired by the culturally responsive and social justice lens of the GCAP program. Additionally, the practical experience gained working with coaches, student athletes, and the college at large, encouraged further understanding of human experience and barriers/supports to mental health through a systems lens. As a result of the series, I am inspired to continue learning, connecting, and exercising my role in dismantling systemic injustices within sport.

I would also like to mention that:

1. The series was nominated by the athletic direction of Douglas College for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Innovation Award which recognizes an initiative that demonstrates unique marketing, communication, or technological advances in a member’s athletic program.
2. I was asked to join the EDI committee for the Canadian Sport Psychology Association which is a new initiative forming this summer— what an honour!

My best friend, Simone Duff, who I met in the GCAP orientation. My parents Jackie and Paul Snodgrass, and siblings, Rayven Snodgrass and Brooklynn Snodgrass. My supervisor, Paul Jerry. And, my partner, Mike Haibeck.

AU is an incredible program to consider as I was able to still work full time, enter the thesis stream, and meet the academic credential requirements of the College of Alberta Psychologists given my undergraduate degree in psychology. The blended delivery allows me to work on assignments and connect with my professors from anywhere. Furthermore, I have received support from faculty in my role as a student representative for the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta and the Canadian Psychological Association. Next step—hopefully PhD!

I am grateful for the support, mentorship, and guidance from GCAP faculty, instructors, and peers. My favourite mantras are “show up for life,” and “do more of what lights you up!” If you would have told me I would be completing my master’s degree, working with inspiring athletes, and have a career that I love, I wouldn’t have believed it! I try to pass this on to those I work with.