Advanced Graduate
Level Interns

Cassie obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from MacEwan University in 2018. She is currently working on completing her Master of Counselling through City University of Seattle, Calgary, and plans to graduate in 2022.

Cassie has always been interested in other people and what makes them unique. She would like everyone to have the ability to grow into their best selves, which is part of why she is passionate about working in the mental health field. In her free time, Cassie enjoys being outside, playing ball hockey, and reading.

Inspirational Quotes:

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ― Oscar Wilde

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

How do you believe counselling can help?

I believe counselling can help as it gives everyone a safe space to talk with an unbiased and nonjudgmental professional. It gives us the ability to find ourselves and practice new skills to better our lives and lead to self-improvement.

Your approach to counselling:

My general approach to counselling is to meet clients where they are at and help them use their existing strengths to improve their mental wellbeing. One way I like to do this is with cognitive behaviour therapy as it combines our beliefs, feelings, and behaviours. I also have experience using solution focused therapy.

Dawne completed a Bachelor of Arts in Religion (Ambrose, 2001) and later followed with a Master of Divinity (Regent College, 2013). At Cornerstone, Dawne is completing the practicum portion of a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Her academic and ministry pursuits have culminated a spiritually-integrated approach to providing compassionate care and counselling to people seeking help. This focus emerged during the ten years she was involved with prison ministry, where it became clear that compassion is not only turning toward people in suffering, but also gaining the knowledge and skills to best help. She is looking forward to offering unconditional compassionate care and support for people seeking understanding and healing from issues and wounds sustained through the realities of life.

Inspirational Quotes:

“The freedom question is not whether we can do whatever we want but whether we can do what we most deeply want.” ― Gerald May, quoted in The Truths that Free Us by Ruth Haley Barton

“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning…” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

How do you believe counselling can help?

Counselling, at its best, is a relational way to support and help others to confront and work at overcoming their challenges. In fact, one intriguing study notes that when someone is present with an individual facing a steep hill to climb, the hill literally looks less steep (this includes both metaphorical and physical hills). A counsellor can be that trusted presence who supports people in finding the courage to confront the steep realities of life’s challenges. In the context of a trusted therapeutic relationship, counselling can offer a secure base for individuals to do the hard work of exploring their inner worlds. Through this process, counselling may bring new perspectives, knowledge, self-insight, self-compassion, new approaches to old issues, and more.

Your approach to counselling:

I have trained specifically in Relational Cultural Theory which is based on the idea that we are all hard-wired for connection and that disconnection and isolation are at the root of a great many mental health issues. Founded upon attachment theory and social neuroscience, the RCT model emphasizes that it is within mutuality and growth-fostering relationships that people heal; this important tenet informs my approach to counselling.

I believe every individual is of inestimable worth and value, no matter their circumstances. This belief underwrites my commitment to being nonjudgmental and to having unconditional positive regard for every person. I have also extensively studied compassion science and seek to integrate this into the modalities I utilize, particularly Compassion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, backgrounded by elements of Family Systems Therapy

Toby completed his undergraduate degree at MacEwan University in 2016, where he Majored in Psychology and Minored in Sociology. He is currently working on completing his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University, and he plans to graduate in 2022.

Friends and family would describe Toby as someone of kindred spirit, easy to talk to and a good listener. He has always been genuinely passionate about helping others and learning about them and what makes them who they are.

When he is not working or completing school work, Toby enjoys driving to the mountains, going for hikes, bicycling, and kayaking. He is also a bit of a fitness enthusiast.

Inspirational Quotes:

“Fight for your dreams, and your dreams will fight for you.” ― Paulo Coelho

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” ― Norman Vincent Peale

How do you believe counselling can help?

I believe counselling aims to help individuals learn to deal with and overcome issues that cause them emotional pain or make them uncomfortable. I also believe that counselling can provide a safe and regular place for individuals to talk and explore their complicated feelings.

Your approach to counselling:

My approach to counselling will look at a few avenues as I am relatively new. The methods that resonate with me are mindfulness-based counselling (MBT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and client-centred therapy. I enjoy the concept of mindfulness-based therapy as it is the process in which the client will focus on their sensations, thoughts, and bodily states without judgment. Although MBT is sometimes paired with Cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT is another approach that focuses on how one’s thoughts and behaviours dictate their feelings in a given situation. Finally, client-centred therapy. I believe that people already have the qualities to prosper in any situation, given the proper guidance. Client center therapy can help clients reach their full potential.