Below is an abbreviated version of my curriculum vitae.
Education and Licensure
| 1998–2025 (February) |
Registered Psychologist, College of Alberta Psychologists |
| 2012–2015 |
Registered Clinical Counsellor, British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors |
| 1993–1998 |
Ph.D. Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB |
| 1991–1993 |
M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB |
| 1981–1984 |
B.A. Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON |
Professional Affiliations
| Nonregulatory |
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Member) |
Employment History
| 2009–2023 (February) |
Professor, Athabasca University |
| 2011–2021 |
External Program Reviewer (consultant)
- Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission; British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training |
| 2014–2018 |
Curriculum Lead, Graduate Centre for Applied Psychology, Athabasca University |
| 2012–2015 |
Clinical Counsellor, Dr Sandra Collins Counselling & Consulting, Victoria, BC |
| 2010–2011 |
Associate Dean, Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University |
| 2007–2010 |
Director, Graduate Centre for Applied Psychology, Athabasca University |
| 2003–2009 |
Associate Professor, Athabasca University |
| 2007–2008 |
Psychologist, Danu Health Centre, Calgary, AB |
| 2001–2006 |
Director, Centre for Graduate Education in Applied Psychology, Athabasca University |
| 1998–2003 |
Assistant Professor, Athabasca University |
| 1993–1998 |
Counsellor/Provisional Psychologist, Calgary Family Service Bureau |
| 1993–1998 |
Sessional Instructor, Teaching Assistant, Guest Lecturer, University of Calgary |
Research and Program Development Funding
| 2010–2013 |
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Standard Research Grant, Co-Investigator - Critical Incidents in Counsellor Education for Multicultural Counselling and Social Justice, $88,200, # 410-2010-0273 |
| 2005–2008 |
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Standard Research Grant, Co-Investigator - Social justice and diversity competencies of career development practitioners, $99,022, # 410-2005-0530 |
| 2001–2003 |
Office of Learning Technologies, New Practices in Learning Technologies Grant, $149,950, with $150,000 matching funds from the three universities involved in the Campus Alberta Graduate Program in Counselling, # 20315 |
| 2001 forward |
Ministry of Learning Access Proposal (Campus Alberta Graduate Program in Counselling). On-going funding received for 21, 47, 75 FLE's (announced January 2001), along with start-up funds of $350,000 (announced May 2001) |
| 1994–1997 |
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship, University of Calgary, $30,000 |
Academic and Professional Awards
| 2019 |
Independent Publisher Book Awards. Silver medal for best e-book design. Awarded for: Collins, S. (2018). Embracing cultural responsivity and social justice: Re-shaping professional identity in counselling psychology. Counselling Concepts. |
| 2018 |
2018 Athabasca University Graduate Students Association. Outstanding Distinction Award. Awarded to acknowledge and honour faculty who stand out because of their support, availability, and leadership. |
| 2016 |
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Annual research or professional article award. Awarded for: Brown, C., Collins, S., & Arthur, N. (2014). Fostering multicultural and social justice competency through counsellor education pedagogy. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 48(3), 321-342. Available at https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/60997 |
| 2006 |
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Canadian counselling book award. Awarded at the American Counselling Association/Canadian Counselling Association Annual Convention. Montreal. Awarded for: Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (Eds.). (2005). Culture-infused counselling: Celebrating the Canadian Mosaic. Counselling Concepts. |
Books and E-books
Collins, S., & Jay, M. (2025). Decolonizing health, healing, and care: Embodying culturally responsive and socially justice counselling. Counselling Concepts. https://doi.org/10.71446/ji62364753
Ko, G., Collins, S., & Yasynskyy, Y. (2023). A practical guide for counsellors: Co-creating safe and culturally responsive relational spaces. ColYasKo. https://pressbooks.pub/responsiverelationships/
Collins, S. (Ed.). (2022). Culturally responsive and socially justice counselling: Teaching and learning activities and resources guide (2nd ed.). Counselling Concepts. https://pressbooks.pub/crsjguide/
Collins, S. (Ed.). (2018). Embracing cultural responsivity and social justice: Re-shaping professional identity in counselling psychology. Victoria, BC: Counselling Concepts. https://counsellingconcepts.ca/
Collins, S. (2016). Professional writing in the health disciplines. Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University. https://pressbooks.pub/professionalwriting/
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (Eds.). (2010). Culture-infused counselling (2nd ed.). Counselling Concepts.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (Eds.). (2005). Culture-infused counselling: Celebrating the Canadian Mosaic. Counselling Concepts.
Book Chapters
I have authored or co-authored over 60 book chaptes within the books listed above. Below I list only those chapters in books edited by other people.
Collins, S., & Arthur, N. (2018). Challenging conversations: Deepening personal and professional commitment to culture-infused and socially just counseling practice. In C. Audet & D. Paré (Eds.), Social justice and counseling: Discourse in practice (pp. 29-41). Routledge.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2017). Culture-infused counsellor supervision. In N. Pelling, A. Moir-Bussy, & P. Armstrong (Eds.), The practice of clinical supervision (2nd ed., pp. 267-295). Australian Academic Press.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S., (2016). Multicultural counselling in the Canadian context. In N. Gazzola, M. Buchanan, O. Sutherland, & S. Nuttgens (Eds.), Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Canada (pp. 73-93). Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Arthur, N., & Collins. S. (2016). Culture-Infused Counselling Supervision: Applying Concepts in Clinical Supervision Practices. In B. Shepard, B. Robinson, & L. Martin (Eds.), Clinical supervision of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Profession (pp. 353-378). Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2015). Culture-infused Counselling and Psychotherapy. In L. Martin, B. Shepard, & R. Lehr (Eds.), Canadian counselling and psychotherapy experience: Ethics-based issues and cases (pp. 277-303). Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2015). Multicultural counselling, education, and supervision. In A. Sinacore & F. Ginsberg (Eds.), Canadian Counselling and Counselling Psychology in the 21st Century (pp. 42-67). McGill-Queens University Press.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2014). Diversity and social justice: Guiding concepts for career development practice. In B. Shepard & P. Mani (Eds.), Career development practice in Canada: Perspectives, principles, and professionalism. Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling.
Collins, S. (2010). Women on the margins: Honouring multiple and intersecting cultural identities. In L. Ross. (Ed.). Counselling Women: Feminist Issues, Theory and Practice (pp. 21-50). Canadian Scholars' Press / Women's Press.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2010). Culture-infused counselling supervision. In N. Pelling, J. Barletta, & P. Armstrong (Eds.), The Practice of Clinical Supervision (pp. 267-295). Australian Academic Press
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2010). Vontress and Multicultural Counseling in Canada. In R. Moodley & R. Walcott (Eds.), Counseling Across and Beyond Cultures: Exploring the Work of Clemmont E. Vontress in Clinical Practice (pp.146-161). University of Toronto Press.
Refereed Journal Articles
Mann, S. , & Collins, S. (2022). Establishing a therapeutic alliance with you who are economically disadvantaged: Misperceptions and missed opportunities. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychology, 56(2), 236-268. https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/71223
Lam, G., Collins, S., & Wong, G. (2022). Alone in paradise: Exploring the intersections of gender, ethnicity, single motherhood, social class, and immigration. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychology, 56(1), 70-107. https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/69055
Lam, G., Collins, S., & Wong, G. (2020). Alone in paradise: A review of the literature related to single, immigrant mothers in Canada. Journal of the Motherhood Initiative, 11(1), 51-71. https://jarm.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/jarm/article/view/40591
Huezo, M., & Collins, S. (2019). “It’s about human connection”: Transgender community wisdom to inform practice. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. 53, 147-168. https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/61216
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Bisson, S., & McMahon, M. (2015). Assessing the Multicultural and Social Justice Competencies of Career Development Practitioners. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 14(1), 4-16. https://cjcd-rcdc.ceric.ca/index.php/cjcd/article/view/172
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Brown, C., & Kennedy, B. (2015). Student Perspectives: Graduate Education Facilitation of Multicultural Counseling and Social Justice Competency. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 9(2), 153-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/tep0000070
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2014). Counsellors, counselling, and social justice: The professional is political [Introduction to the special edition]. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 48(3), 171-177. https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/61030
Brown, C., Collins, S., & Arthur, N. (2014). Fostering Multicultural and Social Justice Competency Through Counsellor Education Pedagogy. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 48(3), 321-342. https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/60997
Audet, K., Collins, S., Jay, M., Irvine, K., Lehr, A., & Schmolke, C. (2014). Poverty, mental health, and counsellors for social justice: Reflections on an interactive workshop. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 48(3), 300-320. https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/60036
Collins, S., Arthur, N., McMahon, M., & Bisson, S. (2014). Development of the Multicultural and Social Justice Competencies (MCSJC) scale for career development practitioners. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 13(1), 14-24. https://cjcd-rcdc.ceric.ca/index.php/cjcd/article/view/187
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Brown, C., & Kennedy, B. (2013). Counselor and Supervisor Views of Multicultural and Social Justice Education. Journal of Counsellogy, 279-295. https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/article?articleId=1357016
Sharpe, H., Alderson, K., & Collins, S. (2013). An exploration of positive identity development in women living with chronic pain. The Qualitative Report, 18(Art. 29), 1-22. http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR18/sharpe29.pdf
Arthur, N., Collins, S., Marshall, C., & McMahon, M. (2013). Social justice competencies and career development practices. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 47(2), 136-154. https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/60929
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Brown, C. (2013). Counsellor and practicum supervisor critical incidents in the development of multicultural and social justice competency. International Journal of Social Sciences, II(2), 16-32. http://www.iises.net/counsellor-and-practicum-supervisor-critical-incidents-in-th.html
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Brown, C. (2013). Critical incidents in graduate student development of multicultural and social justice competency. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2(9), 105-115. http://mcser.org/journal/index.php/ajis/article/view/822/853
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2011). Infusing culture in career counselling. Journal of Employment Counseling [Special Issue], 48(4). 147-149. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.2161-1920.2011.tb01098.x
Collins, S., Arthur, N., & Wong-Wylie, G. (2010). Enhancing reflective practice in multicultural counseling through cultural auditing. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88(3), 340-347. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2010.tb00031.x
Collins, S., & Arthur, N. (2010). Culture-infused counseling: A fresh look at a classic framework of multicultural counseling competencies. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 23(2), 203-216. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09515071003798204
Collins, S., & Arthur, N. (2010). Culture-infused counseling: A model for developing cultural competence. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 23(2), 217-233. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09515071003798212
Refereed Conference Proceedings
Collins, S., Arthur, N., & Brown, C. (2013). Counsellor and practicum supervisor critical incidents in the development of multicultural and social justice competency. Conference Proceedings of the International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences 8th International Academic Conference.
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Brown, C. (2013, September). Critical incidents in graduate student development of multicultural and social justice competency. Conference Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Human and Social Sciences, Vol.1, 105-115.
Presentations at National and International Conferences or Meetings
Collins, S. (2019, January). Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Counselling: A Conceptual, Applied Practice, and Pedagogical Model for Teachers and Learners. Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
Collins, S., Yasynskyy, Y., Wong, G., & Nuttgens, S. (2019, January). Ensuring competency development in counsellor education through learning outcomes tracking, course mapping, and authentic assessment. Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S., (2014, May). Connecting counsellor education and supervision to social justice. World Congress of Psychological Counselling and Guidance, Victoria, BC.
Collins, S., Wheeldon, L., Hill-Lehr, A., & Audet, C. (2014, May). Acknowledging power and privilege in counselling: Socially just counselling practices. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association 2014 Annual Conference. Victoria, BC.
Collins, S., Arthur, N., & Brown, C. (2013, September). Critical incidents in counsellor education for multicultural counselling and social justice. World Congress of Psychological Counselling and Guidance, Istanbul, Turkey.
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Brown, C. (2013, September). Counsellor and practicum supervisor critical incidents in the development of multicultural and social justice competency. International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences 8th International Academic Conference, Naples, Italy.
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Brown, C. (2013, September). Critical incidents in graduate student development of multicultural and social justice competency. 3rd International Conference on Human and Social Sciences, Rome, Italy.
Brown C., Collins, S., Arthur, N., (2013, September). Student Perspectives on the Facilitation of Multicultural and Social Justice Competency through Graduate Education. 2nd International Faculty of Graduate Studies Student Conference, Edmonton, Canada.
Collins, S. [Invited Keynote Address]. (2013, March). Social justice in a culture of disconnection. 3rd Annual Counselling Psychology Research Conference in British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2012, July). What ‘sticks’ in learning about multicultural counselling and social justice. 21st International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology Conference, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Arthur, N. & Collins, S. (2012, June). Facilitating culture-infused conversations and therapeutic processes. Workshop at the Winds of Change 5 conference, Conversations on the Margins, Therapeutic Change, Social Change, Social Justice, Ottawa, ONT.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. [Invited Pre-conference Workshop] (2012, May). Multicultural Counselling and Social Justice: From Concepts to Practice. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association 2012 Annual Conference. Calgary, AB.
Collins, S., Audet, C., Seaborg, M., Johannsen, K., & Wheeldon, L. (2012, May). Counsellors without Borders: Expanding Self and Practice. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association 2012 Annual Conference. Calgary, AB.
Collins, S., Arthur, N., Kennedy, B., Brown, C. (2012, May). The Practice of Social Justice – Preparing for the Journey. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association 2012 Annual Conference. Calgary, AB.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2011, June). Teaching about social justice in counsellor education. Annual Conference of the International Association of Counselling. Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Collins, S., Audet, C., Seaborg, M., & Irvine, K. (2011, May). Bloom where you are planted: Micro social justice. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Conference. Ottawa, ON.
Arthur, N., Collins, S., & Kennedy, B. (2011, May). Social justice: Multiple meanings, multiple practices. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Conference. Ottawa, ON.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2011, April). Culture-infused career counselling. CDAA International Career Conference – Career Development Association of Australia, Cairns, Australia.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2011, January). Culture and career development supervision. Cannexus 2011 - National Career Development Conference, Ottawa, ON.
Collins, S., Audet, C., Irvine, K, and Lehr, A. (2010, May). Getting Down to Basics - Poverty, Mental Health and Counsellors for Social Justice. Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Conference. Charlottetown, PEI.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2010, March). Culture-Infused Career Counselling. Inetop International Conference. Paris, France.
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2010, January). Culture-Infused Career Counselling: A New Model for Intervention Planning. Cannexes - National Career Development Conference. Ottawa, ON.
Professional Reports
Audet, C., Breuhan, J., Collins, S., Currie, A., Hill-Lehr, A., Keats, P., & Paré, D. (2015, December). Equity and social justice for clients, communities, and societies: A position paper on the interplay of human rights, ethics, values, and the law within the profession of counselling. A position paper for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
American Psychological Association Task Force on Distance Education (Contributing Author). (2002). Principles of good practice in distance education and their application to professional education and training in psychology. Report to the American Psychological Association.
Additional Academic Roles
Thesis supervisor: Master of Counselling students.
External examiner: Doctoral dissertations and Masters theses.
External and internal reviewer: Tenure and promotion reviews.
Co-supervisor and committee member: Masters theses.
Second reader: Masters applied projects.
Reviewer: Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Canadian Psychology, Counselling Psychology Quarterly.
Guest lecturer: Ethics, multicultural counselling, social justice, 2SLGBTQIA+.
University committee member (Graduate Studies Board, Academic Council, Director's Group, Academic Staff Appeals Committee, Academic Course Production Advisory Committee).
Faculty committee chair (Program Council, Faculty Selection Committee, Promotion Review Committee, Tenure Review Committee).
Faculty committee member (Program Council, Faculty Council, Conciliation Committee, Learning Outcomes Working Group, Faculty Selection Committee, Ad Hoc Roles & Responsibilities Committee, Director Re-Appointment Committee, Graduate Service Standards Working Group, Common Graduate Database Working Group, Program Extensions Working Group, Graduate Service Standards Working Group).
Additional Professional Roles
Private Sponsor of Refugee, Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria and Rainbow Refugees.
Member, Task Group, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
President, Treasurer, and Member-at-large, Social Justice Chapter, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Member, Certification Committee, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Member, Supervision Training Adhoc Committee, College of Alberta Psychologists.
President and Council Member, College of Alberta Psychologists.
Member, American Psychological Association Task Force on Distance Education.
Steering Committee Member, Alberta Psy.D. Initiative.
Governor, Canadian Career Development Foundation
