Dr. Patricia A. Kostouros

Patricia A. Kostouros, M.A., R.Psych., Ph.D.
Registered Psychologist
pakostouros@beyondwordscounselling.ca

Education and Affiliation

• Registered psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
• Membership with the Psychologist Association of Alberta (PAA) and the Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta (CYCAA)
• Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Research at the University of Calgary (U of C); research  interests include the use and effects of trauma in education settings
• Master’s of Arts (M.A.) degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria (UVic); thesis research focused in the areas of Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Burn-out, as well as issues related to practitioner self-care
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the University of Victoria (UVic) in Human and Social Development with emphasis on Child and Youth Care studies

Current Practice Activities

• Associate Professor at Mount Royal University (MRU) in the Faculty of Health and Community Studies, Department of Child and Youth Studies
• Guest Presenter of workshops on Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Burn-out
• Private practitioner at Beyond Words Counselling & Consulting, Inc.
• Instructional Associate of graduate studies with the Graduate Centre for Applied Psychology (GCAP) at Athabasca University (AU)

Employment Experience

• Career focus related to reducing violence and crises leading to the effects of trauma and stress
• Management experience of a youth shelter and a mental health team
• Management experience of a shelter for abused women and their children
• Executive Director for a small residence for women with a history of trauma and dual diagnoses (e.g., addictions and mental health disorders)
• Facilitator of groups for both men and women related to reducing violence in their lives
• Facilitated and developed marriage preparation courses

Specialized Registration & Training

• Registered Psychologist (R.Psych.)
• Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)—Level II
• Advanced Training in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and Post-Trauma Syndromes
• Advanced Level Reiki Training in the Usui Shiki Ryoho System of Natural Healing

Specialized Areas of Practice

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Reducing Violence
• Personal Growth
• Compassion Fatigue and Practitioner Self-care
• Critical Incident Stress Management
• Adults
• Youth
• Couples
• Families