Erin Kardolus

Erin is an Instructor III teaching in the Addictions and Mental Health Counselling Program and is also the Program’s Practicum Coordinator. Erin is always open to exploring Independent Study possibilities. When not teaching, Erin can be found exploring the world with their child, geeking out over D&D or gaming or fandoms, and being in nature. Erin was the 2015 Faculty of Health Sciences Gold Medal recipient and received their degrees with great distinction. They have been honoured for their volunteer efforts by Amnesty Lethbridge, Edmonton Pride Society, Old Strathcona Youth Co-op, and the Pride Centre of Edmonton. They have also received the Don Shurman Award for Excellence and the AHS Provincial Lab’s Esprit de Corps Award.

Education:

• MEd - Counselling Psychology, University of Lethbridge '19
• BHSc - Addictions and Mental Health Counselling, University of Lethbridge '15

Experience:

They have been proving mental health support for 30 years in various capacities and populations including HIV/AIDS, youth, street-involved, queer community, and private practice. Erin has been a Certified Canadian Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association of Canada since 2019. They are also a Death Doula, having been trained by Douglas College in 2019. In and out of the classroom, Erin specializes in life transitions, trauma, meditation & mindfulness, expressive arts, gender & sexual minorities (gender identities, queer identities, polyamory/ethical nonmonogamy, kink), and end-of-life work.

Teaching Experience:

Erin has been teaching in the Addictions and Mental Health Counselling Program since 2019. During that time, they have taught:

• AMHC 1000 Introduction to Addiction Studies
• AMHC 1020 Introduction to Counselling Interview
• AMHC 1020 Lab Facilitation
• AMHC 1220 Individual Counselling Lab Facilitation
• AMHC 2120 Group Counselling Lab Facilitation
• AMHC 2140 Drugs of Abuse
• AMHC 2235 Indigenous Perspectives in Counselling & Wellness
• AMHC 2990 Studies in Indigenous Wellness and Healing (Independent Study)
• AMHC 3050 Internship Faculty Liaison
• AMHC 3120 Family Counselling Lab Facilitation
• AMHC 3140 Behavioural Pharmacology
• AMHC 3375 Trauma in Addictions & Mental Health Counselling
• AMHC 3750 Relationships, Gender, and Sexual Identities in Counselling
• AMHC 3990 Studies in Application of Research (Independent Study)
• AMHC 4050 Internship Faculty Liaison
• AMHC 4990 Pandemics and Vulnerable Populations (Independent Study)
• AMHC 4990 Treatment Perspectives on Border Line Personality Disorders and Trauma (Independent Study)
• HLSC 1010 Personal Health & Wellness
• ACSA 5006 Biological Bases of Addiction
• CFCS 5100 Practical Applications of Couple and Family Concepts with Ethical Considerations

Research Focus: 

Research interests include: meditation/mindfulness; gender, sexual, and relationship identities/diversity; end-of-life and death; gaming, internet, and phone addiction. Currently participating in a study regarding gambling addiction and trading card games (i.e. Magic: The Gathering) with Dr. James Sanders as the Primary Investigator. Previously participated in a study exploring addiction and Magic: The Gathering (PI was Dr. James Sanders) and a study on the moral distress of nurses and HCAs working with dementia patients in care (PI was Dr. Shannon Spenceley).