Speaker Name: Dr. Robbie Babins-Wagner
Session Description:
The objective of this talk is to summarize the development, expansion, and impact of Counselling Alberta. This initiative was launched in 2022 after Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) was contracted by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to expand access to affordable high-quality counselling services across Alberta with no waitlist. Services would be made available in person or virtually with a network of partner agencies across the province. This included Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Brooks and Vegreville. As the program leader, CCC was responsible for: i) introducing counselling standards; ii) implementing the use of standardized outcome measures; iii) training of counsellors where required; and iv) ensuring consistent reporting of program outcomes to the Ministry. The talk will highlight the successes of the program and future opportunities to positively impact the mental health of Albertans.
Learning Objectives:
- To introduce Counselling Alberta and the role it plays in providing community based mental health services across Alberta
- To Share the impact of the program across the first three years of the program
- To highlight the role of the use of outcome measurement plays in the development and support of strong community-based counseling programs.
References:
Jiwani, Z*., Xie, Q*., Curtin, J. J., Riordan, K. M., Babins-Wagner, R., Caperton, D., Thompson, M., & Goldberg, S. B. (2005). Examining the relationship between employment status and psychotherapy engagement and outcomes: An exploration within a large community mental health agency. Psychotherapy.
Gurm, Kiran, et al. “Effectiveness of Telemental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Propensity Score Noninferiority Analysis of Outcomes.” Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.), 2023, https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000472.
Quirk, K, Owen, J, Reese, RJ, Babins-Wagner, R., Berzins, S. (2020). Benchmarking Community-Based Couple Therapy: The Role of Measurement Reactivity. Family Process. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12513
Tutty, L.M., Babins-Wagner, R. & Rothery, M. A. (2019). The Responsible Choices for Men IPV Offender Program: Outcomes and a Comparison of Court-Mandated to Non-Court-Mandated Men. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2019.1578316
Shaw, S., Lombardero, A., Babins-Wagner, R., Sommer-Flanagan, J. (2019) Counseling Canadian Indigenous Peoples: The Therapeutic Alliance and Outcome. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. Vol 17, 49-68, DOI: 10.1002/jmcd.12120
BIO
Robbie Babins-Wagner is a visionary leader in mental health and counselling, dedicated to reducing barriers and improving evidence-based outcomes in the delivery of counselling services. With a PhD in social work from the University of Calgary, an MSW from Carleton University, and undergraduate degrees from McGill University, she brings extensive experience in counselling, mental health, and family violence. Robbie serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work and is an Approved Social Work Supervisor in Albert and with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Robbie’s contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Westbury Legacy Award, the Lieutenant Governor’s True Leadership Award for Mental Health and Addictions, the University of Calgary Alumni Achievement Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. Her work continues to positively impact the mental health of Albertans, cementing her reputation as a pioneer in the field.