Dr. Teresa Howell
Registered Psychologist
(#1955)
Howell Therapy: Passage to Wellness Psychological Services

Education & Credentials

Registered Psychologist (# 1955)

College of Psychologists of British Columbia

PhD

The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Counselling Psychology, 2008.

The Point of No Return: Aboriginal Offenders’ Journey Towards a Crime Free Lifestyle.
Supervisor: Dr. Rod McCormick

MA

The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Psychology (specialization-Forensic Psychology), 2003.

Culture, Healing and Spirituality and Their Influence on Treatment Programs for Aboriginal Offenders.
Supervisor: Dr. John Yuille

BSc

The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Psychology (specialization-Biopsychology), 1999.

Certificate- Indigenous Focused Oriented Therapy for Trauma

Completed at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, 2014

Certificate- Basic Training in Existential Analysis

International Society of Logotherapy and Existential AnalysisVienna, Training with Alfried Langle and Daniel Trobisch. Completed in Vancouver, BC 2010

Professional Associations/Memberships

Sept 2012-Sept 2014      Board Member- Existential Analysis Society of Canada (Affiliate of the GLE)

May 2011      College of Psychologists of British Columbia Registrant #1955

May 2011      Member: British Columbia Psychological Association

Employment

Jan 2015-current
Faculty Member- Department of Psychology, Douglas College.

I have taught a number of courses at Douglas. Some of the courses that I have taught include: gender relations, psychological disorders, counselling skills in the Indigenous community, intro to psychology, cultural psyschology, group counselling and service learning. I have always been very passionate about teaching and enjoy my role at the college.

April 2010-June 2016

Research Manager- The Institute for Aboriginal Health. In this role, I was responsible for applying for and obtaining research funding. I was also the lead researcher conducting Aboriginal Health Research for the Institute. I was responsible for creating a network of researchers in the Aboriginal Health field at UBC and building relationships with the Aboriginal communities in British Columbia.

July 2011-Mar. 2012

Correctional Services Canada Contract- I was contracted to present information to Correctional Service Canada and National Parole Board staff about Aboriginal offenders’ transition from prison to the community. See contracted presentations.

Oct. 2010-Mar. 2011

Urban Native Youth Association– Co-facilitation of an Aboriginal Narrative Life Review group with young women (ages 18-24) who are living in an alcohol & drug recovery house. My role consisted of planning and developing group content; co-facilitation of the therapy group; and supervision of a BSW practicum student. The clients have experienced substantial hardship, life challenges, trauma, abuses, and alcohol/drug abuse. Interventions used: existential analysis therapy, Aboriginal story telling/Narrative therapy; psychoeduation/health promotion; relapse prevention; and a client-centered approach.

Sept. 2009- Dec. 2009

Telmexw Awtexw (Medicine House) Residential Addiction Treatment Program
Counsellor
I worked 1 day per week with the residents of the program. The program is 12 weeks long and provides addiction treatment to Indigenous people. My role was to provide individual and group therapy, consult with staff/program manager, and provide expertise on psychotherapeutic issues that may arise. I also provided training/workshops to staff on various topics in mental health, addictions, and wellness.

Sept. 2008- March 2010

Vancouver Coastal Health- Aboriginal Wellness Program
Therapist at the Aboriginal Wellness Program. AWP provides services from a wholistic approach addressing mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, trauma) and/or addictions issues. I worked with individuals, couples and groups. In addition, I participated in professional development workshops, outreach services, and networking with other service providers.

Oct. 2008- Mar. 2009

Private Contract- Researcher
I was contracted to research, review, and gain an understanding concerning suicide prevention in Aboriginal Communities. A written report was submitted at the end of the contract. It was titled: Expanding our Horizons: The use of DVD in Suicide Prevention in Aboriginal Communities.

Sept. 2007- Aug. 2008

UBC Counselling Services
Predoctoral Intern
I completed 1670 hours of supervised clinical work experience (individual and group therapy work, supervision of practicum students, case conferences, staff meetings, professional development programs, research, consultation, and assessment).

2006

Deloitte and Touche LLP-Vancouver, BC
Psychological Assistant
Under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist (Dr. Judith Daylen), I performed 22 psychological assessments (WRAT4; WASI; PAI) with adult claimants for a court case. Each assessment lasted approximately 3 hours.

2004-2007

Vancouver Coastal Health- Aboriginal Wellness Program
Therapist (took 1 year Educational leave to complete internship)
Same role as the above named position.

2004

Vancouver Coastal Health- Aboriginal Wellness Program
Victim Support Worker
Assisted victims through the court process by performing a range of services.  Services included attending court with victims, answering questions, liaising with Crown Counsel and other agencies, assisting clients in filling out victim compensation forms and victim impact statements and making referrals to other organizations.

2004-2005

Surrey Pretrial Services Center
Mental Health Screener
Conducted mental health assessments (violence, suicide, mental illness) with inmates entering the correctional system and made appropriate mental health referrals.

2003-2004

Provincial Health Authority Research Project- The Aboriginal Concurrent Disorders Coordination Project
Project Coordinator
This project investigated resources available to Aboriginal offenders who suffer from mental illness and substance abuse concurrently, and aimed to facilitate working relationships between Aboriginal organizations, service providers, communities and the Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission (FPSC) in British Columbia. Another goal was to educate FPSC staff about cultural issues and needs of Aboriginal offenders. As Project Coordinator, I facilitated workshops throughout British Columbia in order to build relationships between organizations, and furnished reports about the outcomes of the project. I also worked closely with FPSC to educate the Aboriginal community about FPSC clients who have concurrent disorders.

2002-2004

Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of BC
Victim Support Worker
Assisted victims through the court process by performing a range of services.  Services included attending court with victims, answering questions, liaising with Crown Counsel and other agencies, assisting clients in filling out victim compensation forms and victim impact statements and making referrals to other organizations. Additionally, at NCCA, I provided a number of workshops for clients (e.g., the effects of crime, depression and anxiety, stress management, and non-violent communication). Before I was employed at NCCA, I was a practicum student from June-Oct 2002.

1999-2004

Dr. Yuille’s Forensic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia
Research Assistant/Office Administrator
Research focused on victim, witness and suspect memory for crime, interviewing skills and techniques, credibility assessment, and other forensic issues, and involved both laboratory and field research. Responsibilities included recruitment and testing of participants, data collection and analysis, literature searches and review, training and coordinating volunteers, preparation of forms for ethical review and preparation of forms for grant applications, and other administrative tasks

2002-2004

Early Psychosis Intervention Project, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia
Research Assistant
Conducted clinical interviews with persons who were recently diagnosed with schizophrenia. Each interview lasted approximately 2 hours and utilized clinical instruments such as the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) and the Brief Psychotic Rating Scale (BPRS).
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia

1999

Peerla Consulting
Research Assistant
Research focused on fisheries, forestry and Aboriginal land claim issues. Conducted literature searches and reviews, internet and database searches, data collection and written reports/summaries. Under Dr. Peerla’s supervision, I also conducted research at the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

1998-1999

Dr. Dutton’s Forensic Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia
Research Assistant
Dr. Dutton’s research focuses on violence in intimate relationships; attraction and emotional labelling; applications of social psychology to the criminal justice system; etiology of violence and rage and victim reactions. While working in this lab, duties included recruitment, interview and testing of participants, literature search and review, data entry and data analysis using SPSS (writing syntax files and setting up data files). Other duties included administrative tasks such as filing, faxing, computer work and handling telephone calls.

Teaching Experience

2011-Current

Adjunct Professor. Adler University. I usually teach #671:  Structural and Sociocultural Bases of Health and Dysfunction.

2010-Current

Sessional Instructor. The Justice Institute of British Columbia. I am currently teaching in both the Center for Counselling and Community Safety and the Center (CCSC) and I am learning how to co-teach in the Aboriginal Focusing Oriented Therapy for Trauma (AFOT). The course I primarily teach is Couns 1110: All my relations- Working with Aboriginal clients in substance use recovery.

2006-2008

Counselling Psychology- UBC – Sessional Instructor
CNPS 362- undergraduate counselling psychology course that is an introduction to basic counselling skills. The course covers information such as: active listening, empathy, questioning, paraphrasing, summarizing, confrontation, self-disclosure and immediacy. In addition, the course covers important topics including: professional issues/ethics in counselling, confidentiality, power differential, counsellor bias, transference, countertransference, dual relationships, and self-care.

Workshop Facilitation

Sept. 2012

Aboriginal Substance Misuse and Recovery: Gaining Perspectives on the Past and Present
Atira Women’s Resource Society Staff Training Vancouver, BC

Feb. 2011

Seeking the Roots: An Approach to Cultural Competency.
Co-facilitator: Patrick Smith
Portland Housing Society, Vancouver, BC

Oct. 2010

Seeking the Roots: An Approach to Cultural Competency.
Co-facilitator: Patrick Smith
Portland Housing Society, Vancouver, BC

Mar. 2010

Self-Care for Service Providers. UBC Learning Circles, Division of Aboriginal Peoples Health.

Feb. 2010

Keeping the Circle Strong: Grief and Loss Workshop (12days)  Group Co-Facilitator. This was a 12 day healing program for Aboriginal community members who have experienced grief and loss. I co-facilitated this group and assisted participants with the process of grief and loss. Intertribal Health Authority, Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge, Quadra Island, BC

Jan. 2010

Focusing: A Body Centered Therapy and How We Can Support Aboriginal Women.  UBC Learning Circles, Division of Aboriginal Peoples Health.

Sept. 2009

Psychopathology and Implications in Addiction Treatment
Chehalis Indian Band, Chehalis, BC

Aug. 2009

Self-care and Wellness for Addiction Workers
Chehalis Indian Band, Chehalis, BC

Jan. 2008

Stress Management for Architecture Students
School of Architecture, UBC

Oct. 2007

Healthy Communication Skills
Co-facilitator: Alannah Young
First Nations House of Learning, Vancouver, BC

Sept. 2007

Stress Management for Law Students
Faculty of Law, UBC

Aug. 2006

Healthy Relationships: The ethics of dual relationships and conflict of interest in the work environment Professional Development Workshop.
Aboriginal Wellness Program, Vancouver, BC

Aug. 14-18 2006

Non-violent communication: a workshop for Elders
Co-facilitator: Alannah Young
Native Housing Elders workshop series, Vancouver, BC

Mar. 2006

Basic Counselling Skills and Grief and Loss (5 day workshop)
Co-facilitator: Dr. McCormick
Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Cranbrook, BC

Oct. 2005

Healthy Communication Skills
Co-facilitator: Alannah Young
First Nations House of Learning, Vancouver, BC

Feb. 2005

Basic Counselling Skills and Grief and Loss (5 day workshop)
Co-facilitator: Dr. McCormick
Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Nanaimo, BC

Oct. 2004

Healthy Communication Skills
Co-facilitator: Alannah Young
First Nations House of Learning, Vancouver, BC

Dec. 2002

Depression, Anxiety & Stress:  What is it and what can we do about it?
Co-Facilitator: Daniel Raphael
Presented for the Chehalis Indian Band Mental Health Workshop Series, Chehalis, BC.

Scholarly and Professional Activities

NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

PhD Dissertation:

Howell, T.M. (2008). The point of no return: Aboriginal offenders’ journey toward a crime free life. Unpublished dissertation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Master’s Thesis:

Howell, T. M. (2003). Culture, healing and spirituality and their influence on treatment programs for Aboriginal offenders. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

Howell, T.M. & Yuille, J.C. (2004). Healing and treatment of Aboriginal offenders: A Canadian example. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 22 (4), 53-76.

Williams, K.M., Cooper, B.S., Howell, T.M., Yuille, J.C., & Paulhus, D.L. (2009). Inferring sexually deviant behavior from corresponding fantasies: The role of personality and pornography consumption. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36, 198-222.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Paper Presentations:

Howell, T.M. (June 2010). Aboriginal offenders’ voices of wellness and their journey of transition from prison to the community. Invited presentation for: Building Prison Health Connections with Public Health and Communities to Address Gaps and Inequities. Vancouver, BC.

Howell, T.M. (March 2009). Utilization of the Correctional and Conditional Release Act- Section 84: Aboriginal Offenders Transition to the Community. Aboriginal Policy and Research Conference, Ottawa, ON.

Howell, T.M. (December 2008). Stories of transformation: Aboriginal offenders’ lives in the community after incarceration. Prison-Academic-Community Health and Education Conference, Vancouver, BC.

Howell, T.M. (March 2008). The point of no return: a review of preliminary data. Indigenous Graduate Students Conference. Vancouver, BC.

Howell, T.M. & Yuille, J.C (August 2006). Culture and Spirituality: Their Role in Programming for Aboriginal Offenders. The American Psychology Association (APA) Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.

Howell, T. M. (April 2005). Substance misuse and Aboriginal offenders in the Canadian correctional system. The International Association of Counselling Psychology Annual Conference. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Howell, T. M., Cooper, B.S., Williams, K., Spetch, A. & Yuille, J. C. (July 2004). The
association between sexual fantasies, behaviors and pornography in undergraduates. The American Psychology Association (APA) Annual Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Howell, T.M. & Yuille, J. C. (July 2004). Is there a relationship between drug use and purpose in life for Aboriginal Offenders? The 3rd Biennial International Conference on Personal Meaning, Vancouver, BC.

Howell, T. M. & Yuille, J.C. (July 2003).  Purpose in life, acculturation and healing in Aboriginal offenders living in Canadian Correctional Institutions.  The American Psychology and Law Society’s (APLS)/European Association for Law and Psychology’s (EAPL) conference, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Howell, T. M. & Yuille, J.C. (April 2003). Healing and treatment for Aboriginal offenders: A Canadian example.  The American College of Forensic Psychologist’s 19th Annual Symposium, Palm Springs, CA.

Howell, T. M. & Yuille, J.C. (May 2003). Healing, Spirituality and Culture: Their Influence on Treatment Programs for Aboriginal Offenders. Invited paper presented at the Western Psychological Association 83rd Annual Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Howell, T. M. (March 2003). Victimization and the Effects of Crime. Invited presentation at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Vancouver, BC.

Howell, T. M. (Jan. 2003). Victimization and the Effects of Crime: Implications for Aboriginal people. Invited presentation at the Aboriginal Mental Health Conference, Vancouver, BC.

Cooper, B.S., Herve, H.F., Toth, R., Marxsen, D., Howell, T., & Yuille, J.C. (March 2002).  Sexual fantasies and sexual behaviors in a non-forensic sample.  American Psychology-Law Society, Austin, TX.

Poster Presentations:

Williams, K.M., Howell, T.M., Cooper, B.S., Yuille, J.C., & Paulhus, D.L. (2004, May). Deviant Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors: The Roles of Psychopathy and Pornography in Male Undergraduates. The 16th annual convention of the American Psychological Society, Chicago.

Howell, T., Cooper, B.S., Marxsen, D., Hervé, H.F., & Yuille, J.C. (July, 2003). Deviant sexual fantasies and behaviors: Exploring the role of culture. The American Psychology and Law Society’s (APLS)/European Association for Law and Psychology’s (EAPL) conference, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Swihart, G., Richer, S., Howell, T. & Yuille, J.  (June, 2002). Female offenders and relationships: is criminal lifestyle an ethnic equalizer?  The Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, Vancouver, BC.

McKenney, K., Ohan, J., Hua, J., Howell, T., Mui, S., Mak, L. and Johnston, C. (July 2001). ADHD: Is there a need for clinical attention to social development in girls with ADHD? The World Congress Conference, Vancouver, BC

Scoular, D., Howell, T., Phillips, J., Mui, S., Johnston, C. (June 2001).  Mother’s attributions for child behavior as predictors of mothers’ feedback to children.  ISRCAP: 10th Scientific Meeting, Vancouver, BC.

Invited/Contracted Presentations

Howell, T.M. (Mar. 2012). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Kwikwekwehlp Institution, Harrison Mills, BC

 Howell, T.M. (Feb. 2012). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Regional Headquarters, Abbotsford, BC.

 Howell, T.M. (Jan. 2012). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Mountain Instittion, Aggasiz, BC.

 Howell, T.M. (Jan. 2012). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Kent Institution, Aggasiz, BC.

 Howell, T.M. (Nov. 2011). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Vancouver Parole Office, Vancouver, BC.

 Howell, T.M. (Oct. 2011). An interactive dialogue in cultural competency. Invited presentation: Aboriginal Mental Health and Wellness Forum, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC.

 Howell, T.M. (Oct. 2011). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Community Corrections Administration Office, Abbotsford, BC.

Howell, T.M. (July 2011). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Fraser Valley Institution, Abbotsford, BC.

Howell, T.M. (July 2011). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Matsqui Institution, Abbotsford, BC.

Howell, T.M. (July 2011). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Ferndale Institution, Mission, BC.

Howell, T.M. (July 2011). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Contracted presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Mission Institution, Mission, BC.

Howell, T.M. (Mar. 2011). Aboriginal Health and Maternal Care. Invited Presentation: Doula Support Training, BC Women’s Health Center.

 Howell, T.M. (Nov. 2010). Working in Aboriginal Health: Counselling, Research, and Consulting. Invited Presentation: Native Education Center, Vancouver, BC.

 Howell, T.M. (Oct. 2010). Conducting Aboriginal Research. Invited presentation: Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC.

 Howell, T.M. (Sept. 2010). Aboriginal offenders journey from prison to the community. Invited presentation: Correctional Services of Canada- Pacific Institution, Abbotsford, BC.

Professional Training

2010-Ongoing

Existential Analysis Psychotherapy Diploma (36 days of training). This is an extension of the basic training. Seminars include clinical theory (psychopathology, etiology), practice, methods, practical training, group and individual self-experience and supervision. Existential Analysis Canada.

2007- 2010

Basic Existential Counselling Diploma Training. (44 days of training). The course is a complete training in existential counselling and psychotherapy. Theory and clinical training are both encompassed in the training. Topics include the theory of personhood, the theory of existence, existential motivations in theory and practice, some general methods and group-self-experience. Group supervision and individual supervision are also provided. Existential Analysis Canada.

Aug. 2008

National Network for Aboriginal Mental Health and Research (5 days). The National Network for Aboriginal Mental Health Research (NAMHR) is committed to building capacity for mental health and addictions research and knowledge translation in remote, rural and urban settings by working in close partnership with Aboriginal organizations and communities.

Dec. 2007

BC ACADRE Scholarly Writing Workshop (5 Days)

Sept. 2007

The Changeways depression program training (2 days). The Changeways Depression Program is a psychoeducational group therapy protocol designed to introduce clients to basic psychological self-care concepts. The training workshop was a two-day instructional seminar for professional therapists to learn how to conduct a group based on the model.

Dec. 2006

BC ACADRE Scholarly Writing Workshop (5 Days)

Nov. 2005

Treating Complex Psychological Trauma with Dr. John Briere. This was a 15-hour training workshop concerning complex trauma. Topics included: What is complex trauma? Clinical presentation of trauma; Memory processing; The central steps in clinical work with trauma survivors; Cognitive interventions; and Relational processing.

Feb. 2005

Professional Development Workshop (4 hours). The Hikomi method-a body centered psychotherapy method. Vancouver, BC.

Feb. 2005

Professional Development Workshop (11 hours). Addiction and the Search for Meaning. Alfried Langle-Trinity Western University, Langely, BC.

Jan. 2005

One day professional development seminar. The search for meaning: introduction to Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy

May 2002

Risk Assessment Workshop (1 day). Canadian Psychological Association pre-conference workshop, Vancouver, BC.

Oct. 2001 & Mar. 2000

Step-wise Interview Protocol Training (2-day workshop). Interview training, UBC, Vancouver, BC.

Awards

2007

BC Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environment Scholarship

2005 & 2006

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Scholarship

2004

BC Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environment

1994

UBC Outstanding Student Initiative Scholarship

COMMUNITY SERVICE

2003-current

Volunteer-Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Society (VATJS)
VATJS is an alternative to court for some Aboriginal offenders.
I participate in the forums with 2 other community council members, an Elder, the offender and VATJS coordinator. We meet in a circle to discuss the issues, problems and solutions to the circumstances of the criminal activity that was committed by the offender. We work together on a healing plan for the offender.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS/EXPERIENCES

October 2000

The Hare Psychopath. Past, present and future: A Festschrift in honor of Dr. Robert D. Hare.
Conference Organizer
This was a 2-day international conference about psychopathy. The conference consisted of ten speakers from around the world who lectured about different aspects of psychopathy. Approximately 200 people attended the conference each day. Duties included: communication and organization of the guest speakers, registration and communication with conference participants, accounting, room bookings, audiovisual co-ordination, catering, and banquet planning.