Lee, Bonnie

Bonnie Lee, Ph.D., is Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (Addiction and Mental Health Counselling) and a Research Affiliate of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy. Dr. Lee was awarded the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors Research Chair in Healthy Futures (2016-2019), a prestigious appointment that recognizes her excellence and international reputation and leadership in addiction treatment innovation and research.

Dr. Lee received her doctoral degree from the University of Ottawa with two postdoctoral fellowships in the same institution. Prior to settling in Lethbridge, she had resided in nine cities around the world. A Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and Supervisor with the Canadian Association for Couple and Family and Therapy (CACFT), she currently serves on its Board of Directors. She is a Clinical Fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Registered Social Worker. For her significant contributions to the profession of Couple and Family Therapy, she was awarded the Professional Contribution Award in 2025 by CACFT.

In 2023, Dr. Lee founded the Graduate Certificate Program in Couple and Family Counselling Studies. The aim of this program is to equip those in the fields of health and social services with a systemic and relational lens to analyze challenges and create multi-dimensional solutions.  https://www.ulethbridge.ca/future-student/graduate-studies/couple-and-family-counselling-studies-gc

For her inspiring mentorship of students over the years who have made important contributions in health, counselling, community programs and research, she was nominated for the University of Lethbridge Graduate Mentorship Award in 2025. A University EDI Scholar, Dr. Lee's project on "Student-generated Quick Cases: EDI Dilemmas from Students' Lived Experience" produced an ongoing Open Education Resource for use in courses in Health Sciences and across disciplines.

The Congruence Couple Therapy, an evidence-based model developed by Dr. Lee for addictions, was adopted by two Alberta Health Services Mental Health and Addiction treatment sites. It was named a 2023 Distinguished Initiative by the Health Quality Council of Alberta in their Patient Experience Awards, celebrating programs that improve patient access and experience in Alberta's health services.

In 2021, she was selected for the Expert Speakers Panel by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She received the Distinguished Contribution Recognition from the Alberta Association of Marriage and Family Therapy in 2010 and was  awarded the YWCA (Lethbridge) Woman of Distinction Award in the Spirit of Women in the same year.

A sought-after keynote speaker and trainer in the field of addiction treatment, Dr. Lee has conducted training in couple therapy for Advanced Clinical Education with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She has received international appointments at seven universities in the USA, Asia and Europe. 

For Dr. Lee's publications, go to: https://opus.uleth.ca/collections/f8af2221-e594-4d19-bcbf-fa5b8f77a8ae

About Dr. Lee's research and workshops, go to: https://sites.ulethbridge.ca/congruence-couple-therapy-research