Jamie Matthews
780.819.3799
Sherwood Park, AB
With a solid educational foundation in both social work and psychology, I bring a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour and social dynamics to my professional endeavours. Complementing this academic background, I have pursued specialized training in mental health interventions, psychopharmacology, trauma-informed care for individuals across the lifespan, and Indigenous studies. These diverse skill sets enable me to approach my work with a nuanced perspective, ensuring culturally sensitive and evidence-based practices in supporting the mental well-being of diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults. My commitment to ongoing learning and professional development underscores my dedication to providing holistic and effective care in the field of mental health.
EDUCATION: HIGHLIGHTED COURSES
MC: University of Lethbridge, Masters of Counselling May 2024
Major: Applied Psychology
Specialization: Counselling Psychology
GPA: 3.81
CAAP 6601: A survey of theoretical foundations in counselling,
acknowledging the impossibility of exhaustive exploration due to the
abundance of theories and limited time. Students will critically evaluate
various frameworks to develop their own emerging theory through
discussions, readings, and course materials. The course content is intentionally
structured to facilitate student learning, with emphasis on collaborative
discussions and evidence-based research. While some theories may not be
fully covered, students will continue to analyze and familiarize themselves
with them throughout their Masters of Counseling program. The course is
delivered in a blended format, comprising nine online sessions, conducted
synchronously via Zoom.
CAAP 6605: Foundational Counselling and Conflict Resolution Skills
Calendar Course Description: Focuses on the understanding and acquisition of
skills that are essential for the development of working alliances in
counselling contexts. The course will introduce a theoretical framework for
the application of counselling skills in addition to providing opportunity for
skill practice.
CAAP 6607: Counselling Diverse Clients Calendar Course Description:
Focuses on increasing personal awareness, identification of conceptual
frameworks, and development of in-depth knowledge of equity and diversity
issues in counselling. Students will be expected to examine their own
attitudes, behaviours, perceptions and biases.
CAAP 6617: Research and Program Evaluation Skills Calendar Course
Description: Qualitative and quantitative research methods are examined,
ranging from single-subject designs to program evaluation strategies,
applicable to counselling settings.
CAAP 6603: Professional Ethics and Conduct Calendar Course Description:
This course addresses various ethical, professional and legal issues in the
practice and regulation of Counselling Psychology. Course topics include, but
are not limited to, the interchange between personal and professional values,
ethical decision-making models, codes of conduct and professional standards.
Extensive reference will be made to the Canadian Code of Ethics for
Psychologists and Canadian Certified Counsellors.
CAAP 6635: Biosocial Foundations of Health Psychology Calendar Course
Description: Current research in biosocial health psychology is addressed
including the study of behavioural responses to stress, addictions and chronic
illness. Emphasis is on interpersonal emotional processes and lifestyle
modifications to adjust to health-related stressors. Additional topics include
consequences of common psychophysiologic reactions and syndromes such as
anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and depressive disorders including grief
and loss.
CAAP 6631: Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behaviour Calendar Course
Description: Focuses on theories of cognition and affect by examining how
humans process information and organize their knowledge and emotional
experiences. Contemporary issues will be addressed in several areas of
application including regulation of affect and behaviour in everyday life and
in unusual circumstances.
CAAP 6613: Assessment: Processes and Application Calendar Course
Description: Addresses the measurement of characteristics of individuals
across the life span and diverse groups in a variety of contexts. Assessment
models, psychometric theory and concepts, ethics of testing, and utilization of
various classification systems for diagnosing client functioning are addressed.
Standardized and non-standardized assessment techniques are examined to
measure client change and individual characteristics.
CAAP 6615: Counselling Strategies and Interventions Calendar Course
Description: An intensive study of a variety of counselling techniques arising
from counselling theories to address common presenting problems in children,
youth, and adults. Skill development in laboratory settings emphasizes
counsellor self-evaluation, case conceptualization, the ethical practice of
delivering the treatment plan, intervention efficacy, matching of interventions
to client issues, and consultation issues.
CAAP 6637: Group Counselling and Process Skills Calendar Course
Description: This course will provide a conceptual understanding of group
process, applied to a wide range of contexts and clientele. The course will
build on the construct of the working alliance as a foundation for the
counselling process and will incorporate various theories of group counselling
and group process into an overall conceptual framework.
CAAP 6633: Counselling Issues Across the Lifespan. In-depth study of
human development and functioning across the lifespan. Focus is on
normative life transitions, the family life cycle, atypical development risk
factors (e.g. trauma), attachment and selected emotional and behavioural
disorders in children and adolescents. Special attention is given to attachment
theory across the lifespan and implications for relational development.
CAAP 6611: Counselling Practicum I (Practicum/Seminar). Calendar Course
Description: Provides an opportunity for professional development and
supervised practice in a counselling context. Students will be involved in
direct work with clients under the supervision of a qualified professional.
CAAP 6619: Counselling Practicum II (Practicum/Seminar). Calendar Course
Description: Provides an opportunity for professional d-evelopment and
supervised practice in a specialized counselling conte+xt. Students will be
involved in direct work with clients under the supervision of a qualified
professional. The practicum allows students to actively explore issues
encountered in working with a specialized client population or area of
practice.
CAAP 6699. Professional Portfolio. The intention of the professional
portfolio is to provide you with a variety of independent and highly interactive
opportunities to clearly articulate your strengths, self-growth, and counsellor
skills/abilities. Many of the reflective tasks will be integrated into a
professional portfolio along with the development of a comprehensive 5-year
professional development plan. A professional portfolio is an expression of
who you are as a counselling professional and should reflect your voice. You
will have opportunity to integrate artifacts and examples that demonstrate
your competencies, personal identity as a counsellor, and ongoing
professional development plan.
BSW: University of Calgary, Bachelor of Social Work May 2018
GPA: 3.78
SOWK 355. Research In Context.
SOWK 361. Professional Use of Self: Ethics.
SOWK 363. Human Development in Environments.
SOWK 553. Adolescent Mental Health.
SOWK 553 b. Social Work with Indigenous Peoples.
SOWK 371. Social Work and Diversity.
SOWK 412. Field Placement: Children’s Services: Adoptions. 250 hrs.
SOWK 413. Capstone Project.
OS: Athabasca University. 3-year Bachelor of Arts. March 2007
Major: Psychology.
GPA: 3.87
HSRV 311. Policy and Practice in Human Services.
PSYC 388. Introduction to Counselling.
PSYC 470. Students with Special Educational Needs.
HSRV 322. Policies in the Human Services.
PHIL 333. Professional Ethics.
PSYC 406. Introduction to Theories in Counselling and Psychology.
WMST 422. Women, Violence and Social Change.
PSYC 343. Issues and Strategies in Counselling.
PSYC 405. Creating a Working Alliance.
PSYC 435. Abnormal Psychology.
Diploma. SW. Grant Mac Ewan College. Diploma of Social Work. May 2005
GPA: 3.7. First-Class Standing.
Publication: Counselling Skills Video: Introduction to
Foundational Skills.
SOWK 102. Social Work Practice with Indigenous Peoples.
SOWK 105. Field Placement 75 hrs. Boys & Girls Club: Solstice
House. Group care for adolescents in transition from probation to
Home.
SOWK 111. Practice with Families.
SOWK 112. Practice with Children and Adolescents.
SOWK 115. Field Placement 75 hrs. Boys & Girls Club: Solstice
House. Group care for adolescents in transition from probation to
Home.
SOWK 201. Group Work.
SOWK 203. Trauma and Addictions.
SOWK 204. Social Policy and Anti-Oppressive Practice.
SOWK 205. Field Placement 75 hrs. ABC HeadStart.
SOWK 210. Community Practice Methods IV.
SOWK 215. Field Placement 75 hrs. ABC HeadStart.
PSYC 383. Human Personality.
PSYC 345. Social Psychology.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
2024
Trauma Recovery: EMDR Basic Training. Humanitarian Assistance Programs.
PESI Inc: Trauma Focused EMDR: Parts Work for Complex Cases. Ariel Schwartz.
PESI Inc: Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems.
2023
Alberta Health Services: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Literacy.
Cognitive Behaviour Institute: Medications Across the Lifespan.
PESI Inc: Emotional Freedom Techniques and Tapping: Evidence-Based Approach
for Anxiety & Trauma.
PESI Inc: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk on How the Body Keeps the Score: Intensive
Trauma Treatment Course.
2022
Behavioural Health Integrated Care Certificate: Advanced training
implementation of the behavioural health model.
Primary Care Edmonton South: Workshop Facilitator training.
PESI Inc: Solution Focused Brief Therapy: An Evidence-Based Approach to Create
Rapid, Sustainable Change with any Client.
PESI Inc: Advanced Suicide Assessment and Intervention: Assess Suicidal Ideation
and Effectively Intervene in Crisis Situations with Confidence, Composure and
Sensitivity.
2021
The Western Institute of Emergency Education: Basic Life Support for Healthcare
Providers.
2020
Indigenous Ways of Knowing: Elder lead two-day workshop, Enoch.
Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute: Attachment and Families: Strategies for
Engaging and Helping; Navigating Difficult Client Relationships; Providing Support
Remotely: Strategies for Helping at a Distance.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Mental Health 101; Youth and Mental
Health 101; Addiction 101; Empowering Families Affected by Substance Use.
2019
Canadian Mental Health Association. Two-day ASIST suicide prevention
certificate.
AHS Psychotropic Medication for Children and Youth. Common, and off-label
use of psychotropic medication; proper dispense and storage.
A Child’s Song: Adoption and Foster Care Conference. Two-day workshop run by
psychologists specializing in adoption and foster care. Seminars taken: Understanding
Attachment Therapies; Responding to Sleeping and Eating Issues; Understanding
Executive Function Delays.
2018
Adverse Childhood Experiences Workshop. ASQ & DSP. Theory and scaling tool
to use in practice. Map the adversity children face and combine with training to create
developmental Service Plans using evidence-based strategies to produce favourable
outcomes for children.
ALIGN Association of Community Services Training Workshops. Child
Development; Loss and Grief; Trauma, Stress, and the Developing Brain;
Colonization, Historic Trauma and Healing; Brain Story: Understanding
Neurodevelopmental Impacts of Trauma on the Developing Brain.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Alberta College of Social Workers, 2005-Present
LANGUAGES
English: First Language