Advanced Graduate Level Interns

Cory is a student in the MA in Counselling program at Central Seminary in Shawnee, Kansas, and a member of the pastoral staff at a local church in Edmonton. His background includes extensive experience as a professor and pastoral counsellor. Cory previously completed a Master of Theology degree from Spurgeon’s College in the UK, and a PhD in practical theology from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He currently is a student member of the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

Inspirational Quotes:

“Hospitality is not to change people but to offer them space where change can take place…where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own songs, speak their own languages, dance their own dances; free also to leave and follow their own vocations.” – Henri Nouwen in Reaching Out

How do you believe counselling can help?

We were never meant to carry our burdens alone. Sometimes we need someone to sit with us in our struggles, uncertainty, and pain. Someone who is willing to truly see us and hear us. Someone committed to honouring the questions we are asking of our lives and skilled at helping us face those we’ve been reluctant to ask. Counselling can encourage us to see ourselves and our circumstances in a new light, equip us with resources to navigate life’s challenges, and empower us to draw upon the wisdom and strength already resident within us. It can aid us in developing new ways of relating to the past, present, and future and enable us to gain a greater sense of freedom and fulfillment in daily life.

Your approach to counselling:

As the Nouwen quote above expresses, I desire to create safe space within which every client can feel free to be honest about themselves, their struggles, and their questions. When appropriate, I employ proven approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. However, I also draw upon several other time-tested therapeutic approaches that can aid clients in exploring their desires for meaning, purpose, and connection and in addressing how their life stories have been shaped through key relationships and experiences. I am committed to seeing each client holistically as physical, psychological, social, and spiritual beings and to partnering with them as they navigate the complex—and sometimes messy—interplay between these dimensions of their lives.

Kerry is currently completing a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and is a student member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). She also holds Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) degrees from the University of Alberta. Previously, she worked for several years in leadership roles in communications/PR providing consulting services to clients across many sectors in Canada and the United States. Kerry has also served on volunteer boards including the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Stollery Women’s Network (SWN), as well as in mentorship roles supporting young professionals and students.

Through Kerry’s two decades of corporate experience, and training with Dr. Gary Namie from the Workplace Bullying Institute, she also brings a nuanced perspective regarding the complex issues impacting people at work and how to cope.

Inspirational Quotes:

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.” – Lao Tzu

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” / “With the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I’ll rise.” – Maya Angelou

How do you believe counselling can help?

Healing and coming into one’s own with a greater sense of self-acceptance is a journey. This includes effectively managing and negotiating relationships with others, which can be challenging and complicated. Counselling can help provide individuals a doorway into greater self-revelation and insight that can help carry a person through life’s challenges with greater confidence and resiliency.

Your approach to counselling:

I aim to provide a respectful space supported by an empathic and collaborative style rooted in compassionate listening and understanding where clients can explore their own self-discovery and grow to become their best selves. I take an integrated approach from a client-centred theoretical perspective where individuals are holistically appreciated. And I incorporate tools and techniques that are suited to supporting people’s own unique paths, including drawing upon cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), compassion focused, and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) interventions.

Alissa is completing her master’s degree in counselling psychology from Yorkville University. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton, where she worked as a research assistant at the Nature Meaning in Life Laboratory, studying well-being and Positive Psychology Interventions. After working in academic research, Alissa developed an interest in helping people flourish; she believes that every person’s journey to developing a meaningful life comes from within and is rooted in compassion and understanding.

She holds two verified certificates from Berkley University. The first in the Science of Happiness and the second in Mindfulness and Resilience to Stress. Additionally, Alissa is working to obtain her level-one certification in Emotionally Focused Individual therapy.

Alissa started at Cornerstone Counselling in 2020 as a practicum student and values the organization due to its dedication in helping to create a healthier and happier society by removing the barriers to accessing psychological treatment.

Inspirational Quotes:

“I use the term happiness to refer to the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.” – Sonja Lyubomirsky

“Love has an immense ability to help heal the devastating wounds that life sometimes deals us. Love also enhances our sense of connection to the larger world. Loving responsiveness is the foundation of a truly compassionate civilized society.” – Sue Johnson

How do you believe counselling can help?

Alissa believes that therapy can transform anyone’s life. Regardless of what stage someone is at in their journey, therapy can help people develop happier and more meaningful lives. While we cannot change what happened to us, we can change our course of action for the future. Therapy is an empowering and motivating process that guides people toward living a flourishing life.

Your approach to counselling:

My approach to therapy is person-centred; I work alongside clients to help them process, accept, and develop resiliency. Through respect and high regard for client safety, I believe that the relationship between client and therapist is vital to overcoming life’s challenges.

Alongside person-centred therapy, I utilize an eclectic and holistic approach to meet client needs, including Nature Therapy, Mindfulness, EFIT, and Positive Psychology.