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