McBride, Dawn

Associate Professor

Edu - Faculty Members

Phone
(403) 317-2877
Fax
(403) 317-5070
Email
dawn.mcbride@uleth.ca

Office Hours

  • I enjoy connecting with students. I am open to connecting during the week, including Saturdays, and generally between 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please email or drop'in to make an apt. 
  • My availability: I teach in the winter, from January to April, and in the summer, from May to August. My research term is from September to December, so I am often in the field/away from the office during this term. 

About Me

Warm Greetings :)

I am a tenured Associate Professor in the Graduate Counsellor Education program at the University of Lethbridge and a Registered Clinical and Counselling Psychologist in Alberta. I am passionate about preparing graduate students to think critically, act ethically, and respond competently to the complexities they will encounter in mental health practice. This commitment reflects my academic focus on professional ethics, where I am recognized as a leading scholar in Canadian counselling ethics.

My work has contributed to how ethics are understood, taught, and practiced within counselling and related helping professions, and it directly influences how I teach, supervise, and support students in developing sound professional judgment.

My current writing, an ethics textbook for social work, counselling, and psychology, *The Big Cs in Canadian Counselling Ethics: Care, Consent, and Charting*, consolidates the ethical, clinical, and supervisory principles that guide my practice. These principles are woven into my teaching and supervision, with a focus on helping students translate ethical knowledge into practical, real-world counselling skills. I strive to create a learning environment that supports both competence and confidence as students develop their professional identity.

Teaching Focus: I have taught nearly all the graduate courses in a typical counsellor education program. Currently, my teaching mainly focuses on advanced professional ethics, intervention-based courses from a trauma-informed relational model, and group therapy. I also supervise theses, projects, and independent study students.

Background: I earned my M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary. Before joining the University of Lethbridge, a meaningful highlight of my career was teaching at Zayed University in the Middle East, where I collaborated closely with Emirati students in a rapidly evolving educational environment. This experience enhanced my understanding of culturally responsive practice and highlighted the importance of framing ethics within diverse social, cultural, and institutional contexts. It continues to influence my approach to teaching, supervision, and ethical decision-making. Currently, I am an approved supervisor for provisional psychologists and served as an ethics examiner with the College of Alberta Psychologists for nearly 10 years. I have also worked extensively with family violence agencies and non-profit organizations to promote ethical practice and assist professionals in navigating complex ethical dilemmas.

What else do I do?

a. Researcher, Author, and Speaker: I maintain an active research and writing program that includes peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and scholarly contributions, as well as manuscript review for publication. I regularly present my work at national and international conferences and deliver keynote speeches. My scholarly work in professional ethics closely aligns with the framework outlined in "The Big Cs in Canadian Counselling Ethics: Care, Consent, and Charting." This extensive textbook consolidates core areas of ethical practice, including ethical theory, decision-making, decolonizing approaches, relational consent, and clinical documentation, aiming to promote a more integrated approach to teaching and practice in counselling ethics.

b. University and Community Service: I contribute to both university and community contexts through service roles such as union stewardship, grievance work, and participation on promotion and appeal committees. I also support counselling agencies and family violence shelters, and previously served as co-chair of training and development for the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association.

c. Supervision: I provide supervision to graduate students and provisional psychologists in Alberta through individual and group sessions, focusing on ethical competence, relational practice, and clinical skill development.

d. Clinical Practice: I maintain a small private counselling practice in Lethbridge to remain grounded in clinical work. My practice focuses on complex mental health presentations, trauma, moral distress, and high-conflict family violence. I am currently not accepting new clients.

e. Counselling Orientation: My approach is relational and psychodynamic, with strong influences from Transactional Analysis and attachment theory. I integrate approaches such as CBT, Narrative Therapy, EMDR, expressive arts, somatic work, and solution-focused therapies. I aim to run a process-oriented group therapy at least once a year.

f. Ongoing Professional Development: I regularly attend and present at international conferences and participate in advanced training workshops each year, particularly in somatic and expressive approaches, to support ongoing integration of current evidence into my work.


Biography

Brief: 

Dr. Dawn McBride is a tenured Associate Professor in the Graduate Counsellor Education program at the University of Lethbridge and is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. She is regarded as a leading scholar in Canadian counselling ethics and authored The Big Cs in Canadian Counselling Ethics: Care, Consent, and Charting. Her work focuses on relational ethics, advanced supervision, and counsellor training practices. She maintains an active research program, presents internationally, and continues to integrate clinical practice with teaching and scholarship.

Detailed: 

Dr. Dawn McBride is a tenured Associate Professor in the Graduate Counsellor Education program at the University of Lethbridge and a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. She is widely recognized as a leading scholar in Canadian counselling ethics, with a research and practice agenda that has shaped how ethics is conceptualized, taught, and applied in counselling. She is the author of The Big Cs in Canadian Counselling Ethics: Care, Consent, and Charting, which advances a relational approach to ethical care, informed consent, and clinical documentation. She has an extensive record of scholarship, including peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and funded research, including large-scale collaborative projects examining intimate partner violence and service delivery in Canada. She regularly presents at national and international conferences and has delivered invited and keynote presentations.

Her expertise includes ethical practice in counselling, relational consent, trauma and complex mental health, and the integration of attachment-based, culturally responsive, and process-oriented approaches. She also specializes in supervision and counsellor training, with a focus on ethical competence and professional accountability. In addition to her academic role, she maintains a small private practice in Lethbridge, working primarily with complex clinical presentations using a relational and psychodynamic approach that integrates Transactional Analysis, EMDR, cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative therapy, and somatic interventions.  


Current Research

My areas of interest centre on several interconnected themes:

(A) advancing ethical practice in counselling, focusing on relational consent, transparent documentation, and addressing complex ethical dilemmas across various practice settings. This effort aligns closely with the framework outlined in The Big Cs in Canadian Counselling Ethics.

(B) clinical psychology across the lifespan, including trauma, self-harm, and complex mental health presentations, integrating psychodynamic, attachment-based, and culturally responsive approaches;

(C) ego state therapies, particularly Transactional Analysis, are applied across counselling, supervision, ethics, and organizational contexts;

(D) supervision theory and practice, including developmental models, supervisor supervisee dynamics, and ethical competence;

(E) program development and evaluation, including group therapy and psychoeducational interventions;

(F) group counselling, with emphasis on expressive arts, cultural responsiveness, and attachment-informed approaches; and

(G) emerging scholarship on faculty well-being, with a focus on the ethical tensions and potential moral distress experienced in gatekeeping roles, as faculty work to protect the public and uphold the social contract while navigating institutional pressures and increasing workload demands.

 


Previous Research


Publications

A sample of my publications includes:

McBride, D. (submitted). From protection to empowerment: An ethical framework of relational consent for mothers and youth in IPV. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal (Special Edition: Prioritizing the Perspectives of Young People with Childhood Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence [CIPV]).

McBride, D. (submitted).  Relational consent in school counselling: Engaging parents and students in ethical collaboration. [Abstract accepted for publication]. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Special Edition: School Counselling in Canada: Opportunities and Challenges of an Interdisciplinary Profession).

McBride, D. (submitted ). Getting your ducks in a row: Quack-tical strategies for establishing a strong foundation in supervision. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Special edition: Clinical Supervision).

Gelineau-Olay, S. B., & McBride, D. (2025). Do not let the cat out of the bag: Using the Canadian code of ethics to resolve pronoun charting challenges. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000441

Kurbatfinski, S., Letourneau, N., Marshal, S., McBride, D., Novick, J., Griggs, K., Perrotta, A., Daye M., McManus, C., & Nixon, K. (2024). Myths and misconceptions of intimate partner violence among sexual and gender minorities: A qualitative exploration, Frontiers in Sociology, 9, Article 1466984. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1466984.

Kurbatfinski, S., Novick, J., Marshall, S., Griggs, K., Letourneau, N., McBride, D., & Nixon, K. (2025, April 30). “Don’t you love me?” Abusers use of shame-to-guilt to coercively control 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals and rural women experiencing intimate partner violence and abuse. Women’s Health, 21, https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057251335361.

Kurbatfinski, S., Nixon, K., Marshall, S., Novick, J., McBride, D., & Letourneau, N. (2024). “That was terrifying”: When 2SLGBTQQIA+ and rural individuals experiencing intimate partner violence are stalked. AIMS Medical Science, 11(3), 265-291. https://doi.org/10.3934/medsci.2024020.

McBride, D. (2023, Fall). Getting you and your clients back into the ‘groove’ when stuck in a 4F+ stress response. RESOLVE Newsletter. https://mcusercontent.com/5ddd3b4a67e91c33a8c3d3fe0/files/66cc705c-ec32-946d-5d76-5af1eea43566/Dawn_McBride.pdf.

McBride, D., & Worrall, A. (2023). A violent death of a student: Lessons learned by two teaching psychologists. Light on Teaching: Teaching Centre at the University of Lethbridge.

Letourneau, N., McBride, D. L., Barton, S. S., & Griggs, K. (2023). Service providers' perspectives: Reducing intimate partner violence in rural and northern regions of Canada. The Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 55(2), 165-175. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621221128857.

Hodson, J., & McBride, D. (2022). Ethical implications of third-party record release. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 11, 1-11. https://jemh.ca/issues/open/documents/JEMH%20Article%20Records.pdf.

McBride, D., & Worrall, A. (2021). Recommendations when shifting gears to running online groups using creative expressive activities. Canadian Journal of Art Therapy, 34(1), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/26907240.2021.1943956.

McBride, D., & Worrall, A. (2019, November). Help, I’m being yelled at by a parent: Overcoming interpersonal challenges with compassionate assertiveness. In A. Jule (Ed.), The compassionate educator: Understanding social issues in Canadian schools (pp. 175-193). Canadian Scholars.

Shivji, A., & McBride, D. (2018). From traumatized to energized: Helping victim support volunteers cultivate compassion satisfaction in the face of crisis. Victims of Crime Research Digest, 11, 14-20. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/jus/J12-3-11-2018-eng.pdf.

Karesa, S. & McBride, D. (2016). A sign of changing times? Perceptions of Canadian psychologists on assisted death. Canadian Psychology, 57(3), 188-192. http://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-37091-006.

McBride, D. (2016-2017). Teaching tips to enhance the use of discussion forums. Light on Teaching: Teaching Centre at the University of Lethbridge, (2016-2017), 37-39. https://www.uleth.ca/sites/default/files/FINAL-WEB-LightOnTeaching_2016-17.pdf.

Mills, B., & McBride, D. (2016). Increasing adolescent self-esteem: Group strategies to address wellness and process. Georgia School Counselor Journal, 23, 58-67.

Mills, B., & McBride, D. (2016). What is group process? Integrating process work into psychoeducational groups. Georgia School Counselor Journal, 23, 16-25. https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/gsca/Documents/Journals/GSCA_2016_Journal.pdf.

McBride, D. (2008). Supervision issues in family violence cases. In S. Brooke (Ed.), The use of creative therapies with survivors of domestic violence (pp. 321-342). Charles C. Thomas.

 

Funding - Examples

2021-2025        Funded, $832,000 (approx.) over 4 years by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, sponsored by the University of Calgary for The Alliance Against Violence and Adversity (AVA) Affecting Girls, Women, and Gender-diverse People: National Health Hub for Knowledge Mobilization and Exchange. Chair: Dr. Nicole Letourneau.

2011-2018        Funded, $1,000,000 SSHRC IPV Alberta to study family violence in northern and rural areas in Canada. Chair: Sylvia, Barton from U of A; RESOLVE, and the University of Calgary with Dr. Nicole Letourneau.

2021                 Funded Globalink Research Internship Grant - Impact of COVID when teaching group counselling courses (Summer 2021).


Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy – Educational Psychology, Counselling (2001)

University of Calgary, Canada

  • Candidacy Areas: Family Violence, Program Design and Evaluation, and Brief Therapies.
  • Dissertation: Groups for Abused Women: Treatment Outcome (Note: This quantitative study remains the largest study of its kind in Canada, as of 2023).

Master of Science – Educational Psychology, Counselling (1995)

University of Calgary, Canada

  • Thesis: An Evaluation of Self-esteem and Assertiveness Groups for Ex-residents of a Shelter for Abused Women (Quantitative).

Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Psychology (1989)

University of Winnipeg, Canada

  • Thesis: Children’s Body Identification and Image Satisfaction (Quantitative).

Research Interests

My areas of interest centre on several interconnected themes:

(A) advancing ethical practice in counselling, focusing on relational consent, transparent documentation, and addressing complex ethical dilemmas across various practice settings. This effort aligns closely with the framework outlined in The Big Cs in Canadian Counselling Ethics.

(B) clinical psychology across the lifespan, including trauma, self-harm, and complex mental health presentations, integrating psychodynamic, attachment-based, and culturally responsive approaches;

(C) ego state therapies, particularly Transactional Analysis, are applied across counselling, supervision, ethics, and organizational contexts;

(D) supervision theory and practice, including developmental models, supervisor supervisee dynamics, and ethical competence;

(E) program development and evaluation, including group therapy and psychoeducational interventions;

(F) group counselling, with emphasis on expressive arts, cultural responsiveness, and attachment-informed approaches; and

(G) emerging scholarship on faculty well-being, with a focus on the ethical tensions and potential moral distress experienced in gatekeeping roles, as faculty work to protect the public and uphold the social contract while navigating institutional pressures and increasing workload demands.


Research Areas

Areas of Expertise

  • Clinical and Counselling Psychology, assessment & treatment of DSM/mental health disorders (e.g., bipolar, OCD, & personality disorders) with a special interest in differential screening.
  • Curriculum Development, as it relates to counsellor/supervisor education programs, counselling agencies, and school counselling services (e.g., classroom management issues, teacher wellness).
  • Ethics with a special interest in constructing and promoting a new procedure for seeking consent (relational consent) & designing efficient documentation practices to maximize client privacy (relational documentation); exploring the harm and prevention of dual relationships; advising agencies in best ethical practices; and supporting therapists facing ethical and legal issues.
  • Family & Sexual Interpersonal Violence, assessment & treatment (includes children, victims, witnesses, & perpetrators).
  • Multicultural Counselling, with an interest in Arab and Muslim issues, as well as adapting Western therapeutic approaches to be culturally sensitive.
  • Supervision: The theory & practice of training and supervising therapists, from new to experienced.
  • Teaching Online (since 2004), with a strong interest in building a sense of community when online and ensuring discussion forums keep students engaged in their learning.
  • Trauma Psychology, creation of a theoretical treatment model; special interest in the assessment and treatment of DID, complex PTSD, self-harm behaviours, medical trauma, and the impact of working with trauma (e.g., vicarious traumatization, compassion fatigue).
  • Therapeutic Approaches:
  • Primary areas of expertise–working with all age groups (child to seniors): Neurobiological approaches to promote nervous system regulation (e.g., Somatic Experiencing, EMDR attachment based); Psychodynamic and Ego-state therapies with a focus on attachment repair (e.g., Transactional Analysis, Structural Dissociation, IFS); Gestalt/processed-based therapies integrating creative expressive arts and group therapy (for all ages).

  • Additional areas of high competency to teach and use: Process-oriented group therapies, child and play-based therapies such as Adlerian methods, positive discipline related to classroom management and parenting, as well as crisis and single-session therapy. Other counselling modalities that are also within my expertise: CBT, NT, DBT, IFS, and couple therapies.

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