FACULTY

"Our instructors, practicing psychologists, counsellors and therapists are able to use their own practical wisdom and insights gained throughout their careers to enrich the learning process for VCCT students and are dedicated to providing a meaningful educational experience."

Dr. Dale Brooks, R.Psych., FIPA is a registered psychologist, counselling psychologist, and licensed psychoanalyst. He has over thirty years experience providing individual, relationship, and family therapy. He has also taught for many years at both the undergraduate and graduate level at UBC and other educational institutions. He currently works in private practice and serves as Academic Director of VCCT.

Mahmud Nestman, M.Ed., R.C.C., C.H. has 30 years experience in the counselling field as a therapist, supervisor, and instructor. He has studied and trained extensively in the areas of Person-Centered Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Non-Violent Communication, and Group Therapy.

Devorah Peterson, M.Ed., R.C.C. has over thirty years experience in the field of psychology and has been in private practice for more than twenty. Jungian Psychology, Client Centred, and Gestalt are the models that most inform her Integrative approach, and two main areas of focus for her are the body-mind connection and the creative process. She is also trained in Interfaith Spiritual Guidance.

Maecan Campbell, M.A., R.C.C. holds an M.A. in Counselling Psychology and a permanent B.C. Teaching Certificate. She trains and supervises counsellors; has been in private practice for over 20 years and has taught in a wide variety of situations including Adult Education Centres, North Island College and UBC before coming to VCCT. Maecan trained residentially at Carl Rogers’ Center for Studies of the Person in La Jolla, California and completed an advanced 3-year program with the Gestalt Training Institute of Vancouver as well as a 3-year training in Integrative Body Psychotherapy. She has facilitated numerous groups and workshops in Canada, the U.S. and England. Her counselling focus is on experiential, integrative, awareness-centered approaches that support clients in accessing their own resources in order to live their lives expansively and authentically.

Käri-Ann Thor, M.Ed., R.C.C., M.P.C.P had an earlier career of outdoor education to then work with families, youth, and children for over twenty years mostly within the CBT framework. She now mostly works with adults within her private practice of 8 years and in a professional development "Authentic Living" workshop series she co-developed and facilitates. Her specialty training of six years is in Existential Analysis which is a phenomenological, person oriented psychotherapy and this lens informs her teaching and supervising style to be experiential, creative, deeply honouring of a person's experience, and at times philosophical.