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Welcome To DPS!

A hub for counselling ethics,
professional development,
business support, & supervision. 

2026 Training

Schedule Open

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DAWN's BOOK: The Big Cs In Canadian Counselling Ethics: Care, Consent, & Charting

  

My forthcoming book is now with the publisher. Drawing on decades of teaching, clinical practice, and ethical consultation, I introduce my original frameworks, Relational Consent and Relational Charting, developed through a relational ethics lens, to advance consent and documentation practices in counselling. I emphasize decolonizing, trauma-informed, and client-centred charting & consent approaches, and ways to strengthen ethical care in everyday practice.  Please stay tuned for its release!

         PD Training List

Recognizing our connection to the University of Lethbridge and to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, our trainings are reserved for those who are not current U of L students. Thank you for your understanding.

  • Ethics Training #1: Writing Useful, Ethical, & Efficient Session Notes (2 mornings)
    Ethics Training #1: Writing Useful, Ethical, & Efficient Session Notes (2 mornings)
    Apr 27, 2026, 9:00 a.m. MDT – May 04, 2026, 1:15 p.m. MDT
    Online (via Zoom)
    Dates & Time: April 27 & May 4, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m.(MT)-both days. **Learn and refine strategies for writing session notes that support continuity of care while involving the client in the process. Recommendations will be provided to shift away from traditional medical charting methods.
  • Ethics Training #2: Consent In Counselling - Form & Processes: Trauma Informed (2 mornings)
    Ethics Training #2: Consent In Counselling - Form & Processes: Trauma Informed (2 mornings)
    Jun 22, 2026, 9:00 a.m. MDT – Jun 24, 2026, 1:15 p.m. MDT
    Online (via Zoom)
    Dates & Time: June 22 & June 24, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (MT) on both days ** Consent: Much more than you think! After discussing the MANY-MANY topics to include, we will address strategies to help meet the "reasonable person" criteria. This training overdelivers!
  • Speciality Module: Risk & Safety - Consent and Charting Issues (Part 3 series) (2 mornings)
    Speciality Module: Risk & Safety - Consent and Charting Issues (Part 3 series) (2 mornings)
    Jul 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. MDT – Jul 16, 2026, 12:30 p.m. MDT
    Online (via Zoom)
    *CRITERIA: Completed Part #1 (charting) & Part #2 (consent) training by DPS within the last 5 years. *FOCUS: Consent & charting issues when risk is present (e.g., suicide threat, abuse disclosures). *DETAILS: July 14 & July 16, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MT) on both days.
  • Specialty Module: Parent & Youth - Complex Consent & Charting Issues! (Part 3 series) (2 mornings)
    Specialty Module: Parent & Youth - Complex Consent & Charting Issues! (Part 3 series) (2 mornings)
    Sep 17, 2026, 9:30 a.m. MDT – Sep 18, 2026, 12:30 p.m. MDT
    Online (via Zoom)
    *CRITERIA: Completed Part #1 (charting) & Part #2 (consent) training by DPS within the last 5 years. *DETAILS: Sept. 17th & Sept. 18th, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MT) *FOCUS: Tackling the ethical challenges of consent and charting when providing therapy to parents & their youth.
  • Ethics Training #1: Writing Useful, Ethical, & Efficient Session Notes (2 mornings)
    Ethics Training #1: Writing Useful, Ethical, & Efficient Session Notes (2 mornings)
    Oct 23, 2026, 9:00 a.m. MDT – Oct 30, 2026, 1:15 p.m. MDT
    Online (via Zoom)
    Dates & Time: Oct. 23 & Oct. 30, 2026: 9:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (MT) on both days. ** Learn/refine strategies for completing session notes to offer continuation of care and involve the client in the charting process. Will also offer recommendations for shifting away from the medical charting method.
  • Specialty Module: Working As A Supervisor (Ethics) (Part 3 series) (1 morning)
    Specialty Module: Working As A Supervisor (Ethics) (Part 3 series) (1 morning)
    Oct 24, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. MDT
    Online (via Zoom)
    *CRITERIA: Part #1 (charting) & Part #2 (consent) by DPS within the last 5 years. *FOCUS: DPS will address various consent & documentation issues within a supervision context and discuss vicarious liability. *DETAILS: October 24, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (MT)
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            Therapist's Retreat! 
 

You are invited to join us for an all-inclusive PD retreat in South Africa for counsellors and colleagues. Through planned cultural learning experiences, guided safaris and tours, reflective debriefing circles, and time in nature, this retreat offers a structured and well-supported experience, with care taken to ensure you feel cared for and guided as you engage in cultural learning, connection, and restoration.

Spots are limited to only 20 adults.

 

Our Range of Services ​

PD Support

We offer 3 business coaching and educational services, delivered by Dawn McBride & professionals trained and vetted by her:

 

(1) Rapid Response

Urgent consultation, typically within 5 days.
(e.g., dilemmas, complaints, court orders, subpoenas, and time-sensitive ethics issues).

(2) Short-Term Professional Assistance

Targeted support for specific needs 
(e.g., consent forms, session notes, business coaching, policies, and staffing issues).

(3) Educational Circle of Professional Care

Offered on a sliding scale, 1:1 time to explore what you need to grow and enhance your practice. Waitlist approximately 2 years. While waiting, optional networking circles are offered to those on the waiting list.

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  Trainings 

Our training is delivered by a growing, vetted team, customized to your needs. For example:

(1)   Ethics & Professional Practice Issues 

(e.g., charting issues, making consent meaningful, addressing ethical dilemmas & managing dual-roles and boundaries, supervision challenges)

(2)  Counselling-Clinical Interventions

We offer many PD mini & full-day services - e.g.

  • expanding the counsellor's toolbox

  • pendulation to deal with burnout

  • dealing with "red" clients

  • making CBT meaningful & engaging

  • group therapy process-based training

  • domestic violence interventions

  • Transactional Analysis (a theory that focuses on self-awareness, change, &  uses part work; culturally sensitive)

(3)   Presentations  

(e.g., lunch seminars, Q & A staff meeting sessions, keynote addresses, & conference presentations).

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Counselling

(1). IMMEDIATE OPENINGS: Counselling for individuals aged 14 and older, provided by a mature psychologist (Alyson Worrall; former math teacher), offering highly competent, confidential, ethical, trauma-informed care. She is trained in EMDR, CBT, transactional analysis, and somatic approaches. We offer a Meet & Greet service at no charge to help you decide to start therapy. 

 

(2). FOR THERAPISTS - RAPID SUPPORT:   For therapists to receive EMDR (critical incident protocol) to help process the impact of clinical work promptly and safely, with appointments within 3-5 days, if not sooner, whenever possible. Highly confidential. Provided by vetted DPS psychologist, Alyson Worrall.

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CAP Supervision

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS: CAP-approved supervision, on a sliding fee scale, in these 5 competency areas (some have waiting lists):

(1) Clinical & Counselling Services - for all age groups, including couples, groups, and individuals.(includes informal assessment competency);

(2) When there is more than one person in the counselling room (e.g., group therapy, family & couple therapy) & helping organizations drawing upon social psychology & TA principles;

(3) Teaching Skills Competency;

(4) Research Skills Competency

(5) Supervision of Supervision Competency.

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Subscribe: Our PD E-Newsletter

Thanks for submitting to our PD list. We look forward to helping you refine your ethical practice & expanding your counselling toolbox. FYI — Did you know we offer rapid-response services for urgent ethical needs (e.g., receiving an ethical complaint or facing an ethical dilemma), or when a therapist needs to debrief using the EMDR crisis protocol to help digest and release a work-related issue?

OWNERSHIP STATEMENT & LIMITS OF USE: Dawn Psychological Services (DPS) has been incorporated since 2005.

 

All the information on this webpage is authored or owned by Dawn McBride and DPS, unless otherwise noted. Written permission from Dawn McBride is required for any use, reproduction, adaptation, or distribution. This content is provided for educational purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for therapy, clinical services, or professional advice. Readers are invited to accept, modify, or reject this information using their own professional judgment and context.

We welcome clients & professionals of all sexualities and gender identities.

Flag designed by Julia Feliz & Hayley Brown.

Pride flag - acceptance and safe space for all
Indigenous Canada Flag - acceptance and safe space for all

We also welcome clients & professionals of all Indigenous cultures. Flag designed by Kwakwaka’wakw artist - Curtis Wilson.

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