9I制作厂免费

9I制作厂免费.CA / Cultural and Indigenous Research in Counselling Psychology (CIRC) / Team

Graduate Students

Mawdah Albatnuni

Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology

Mawdah AlbatnuniMawdah is a PhD student in Counselling Psychology. She completed her MA in the University of Ottawa where she studied the relationship between prayer and wellbeing in a Muslim sample. Before starting her PhD, Mawdah worked as a mental health counsellor in community organizations, providing counselling to refugee and newcomer youth and families. Her research interests lie in culturally relevant mental health interventions for Muslims, the use of Islamic practices within the context of counselling psychology, and collaborating with Muslim community leaders to facilitate the utilization of mental health resources.聽

Scholarships/Awards

  • SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, 2021-2025
  • 9I制作厂免费 Graduate Excellence Fellowship, 2021
  • SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Master鈥檚), 2017-2019

Publications

  • Albatnuni, M & Koszycki, D. (2020) Prayer and well-being in Muslim Canadians: exploring the mediating role of spirituality, mindfulness, optimism, and social support, Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 23:10, 912-927, DOI:
  • Wendt, D.C., Huson, K., Albatnuni, M., & Gone, J.P. (2022). What are the best practices for psychotherapy with Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada? A thorny question. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(10), 802鈥�814.

Payton Bernett

Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology

Payton BernettI am studying towards a PhD in Counselling Psychology, during which I am completing a research project with Dr. Dennis C. Wendt focused on substance misuse and recovery among LGBTQ+ individuals. My research interests include diversity and equity practices, mental health and wellness, and culturally relevant counselling. I am especially interested in participatory and qualitative methodologies or research.

Scholarships/Awards

  • FRQSC Doctoral Research Grant
  • RQSHA Doctoral Top-off

Publications

  • Bernett, P., Spence, S., Wilson, C., Gurr, E., Zentner, D., & Wendt, D. C. (2023). Canadian school psychology and Indigenous peoples: opportunities and recommendations.聽Canadian Journal of School Psychology,听38(1), 10鈥�29.聽
  • Wendt, D.C., Marson,S., Parker, D., Lizzy, K.E., Roper, J., Mushquash, C., Venner, K.L., Lam, A., Swansburg, J., Worth, N., Sorlagas, N., Quach, T., Manoukian, K., Bernett, P., & Radin, S. (2021). Commentary on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on opioid use disorder treatment among Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 121.

Kelsey Huson

Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology

Kelsey HusonKelsey Huson obtained her Honours BA with Specialization in Psychology and a minor in Gerontology at the University of Ottawa in 2012. The following year, she completed the MSc in Public Health and Health Systems program at the University of Waterloo, under the supervision of Dr. Paul Stolee. Prior to returning to graduate school, Kelsey worked in the field of research and program evaluation across various settings, including public health, academia, and non-profit organizations. More recently, Kelsey completed the MA in Counselling Psychology program at Western University, where she supported the adaptation of healthy relationships programming for Indigenous youth, under the supervision of Dr. Claire Crooks. Kelsey is currently a doctoral student in the PhD in Counselling Psychology program at 9I制作厂免费, under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Wendt. Kelsey鈥檚 research interests include the development and evaluation of strengths- and culture-based interventions related to mental health, substance use, healthy relationships, and community wellness through collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Scholarships/Awards

  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, 2022-2025
  • Richard H. Tomlinson Doctoral Fellowship, 2021-2024
  • Faculty of Education鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 Excellence Fellowship, 2021-2023
  • Indigenous Graduate Excellence Recruitment Award, 2021-2022

Publications

  • Gala, N., Dobischok, S., Bernett, P., Parker, D., O鈥機allahan, A., Zentner, D., Huson, K., Tomaro, J., & Wendt, D. C.聽(2025). Indigenous Peoples and medications for opioid use disorder: A scoping review.聽Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. Advance online publication.聽
  • Wendt, D.C., Huson, K., Albatnuni, M., & Gone, J.P. (2022). What are the best practices for psychotherapy with Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada? A thorny question. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(10), 802鈥�814.
  • Rodriguez-Seijas, C., McClendon, J., Wendt, D.C., Novacek, D.M., Ebalu, T., Hallion, L., Hassan, N.Y., Huson, K., Spielmans, G.I., Folk, J.B., Khazem, J.L., Neblett, E.W., Cunningham, T.J., Hampton-Anderson, J., Steinman, S.A., Hamilton, J.L., & Mekawi, Y. (2022). The next generation of clinical science: Moving toward antiracism. (Revise-and- resubmit decision, Clinical Psychological Science).
  • Huson, K., Stolee, P., Pearce, N., Bradfield, C., & Heckman, G.A. (2016). Examining the Hospital Elder Life Program in a rehabilitation setting: a pilot feasibility study. BMC Geriatrics, 16(1), 1.
  • Heckman, G. A., Boscart, V., Huson, K., Costa, A., Harkness, K., Hirdes, J. P.鈥� & McKelvie, R. (2017). Enhancing Knowledge and InterProfessional care for Heart Failure (EKWIP-HF) in long-term care: a pilot study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 4(1), 9.
  • Boscart, V.M., Heckman, G.A., Huson, K., Brohman, L., Harkness, K.I., Hirdes, J.P., McKelvie, R., & Stolee, P. (2017). Implementation of an interprofessional communication and collaboration intervention to improve care capacity for heart failure management in long- term care. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 31(5), 583-592.
    Boscart, V., McCleary, L., Huson, K., Sheiban, L., & Harvey, K. (2016). Integrating Gerontological Competencies in Canadian Health and Social Service Education: An Overview of Trends, Enablers and Challenges. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, 0(ja), 1.
  • McNeil, H., Elliott, J., Huson, K., Ashbourne, J., Heckman, G.A., Walker, J., & Stolee, P. (2016). Engaging older adults in health care research and planning: A realist synthesis. Research Involvement and Engagement, 2(1), 1.
    Elliott, J., McNeil, H., Ashbourne, J., Huson, K., Boscart, V., & Stolee, P. (2016). Engaging older adults in health care decision-making: A realist review. The Patient, DOI 10.1007/s40271-016-0168-x.
  • Lafortune, C., Huson, K., Santi, S., & Stolee, P. (2015). Community-based primary health care for older adults: a qualitative study of the perceptions of clients, caregivers and health care providers. BMC Geriatrics, 15(1), 57.聽

Nmesoma Nweze

Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical Psychology

Nmesoma Nweze is currently a PhD student in 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 Clinical Psychology program. She holds an honours bachelor degree in neuroscience and psychology from the University of Toronto. Her passions and research interests explore how relationships within Indigenous frameworks can be a vehicle for healing on an individual level and social change on the collective level. Her research centers the experiences of Inuit experiencing homelessness in southern cities and how their social networks impact wellbeing. Her research is inspired by her upbringing in Iqaluit, Nunavut, where she was introduced to issues of mental health & healing through the lenses of Inuit sovereignty, self-governance, and culture, as well as her background as an Igbo woman and immigrant.

Daniel Parker

Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology

Daniel ParkerDaniel is currently pursuing a PhD in counselling psychology at 9I制作厂免费, having completed a BA in psychology at the University of British Columbia and an MA in counselling psychology (project stream) at 9I制作厂免费. Daniel鈥檚聽research interests include collaborating聽with Indigenous communities to develop, implement, and evaluate culturally-relevant mental health and substance use interventions, as well as the use of聽Indigenous traditional healing practices within substance use treatment.

Scholarships/Awards

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, 2022-2024

Publications

  • Parker, D., Zentner, D., Burack., J., & Wendt, D.C. (2023)聽The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medications for opioid use disorder services in the U.S. and Canada: a scoping review,听Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy,听DOI:聽
  • Wendt, D. C., Marsan, S., Parker, D., Lizzy, K.E., Roper, J., Mushquash, C., Venner, K.L., Lam, A., Swansburg, J., Worth, N., Sorlagas, N., Quach, T., Manoukian, K., Bernett, P., & Radin, S. (2021). Commentary on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid use disorder treatment among Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 121, 108165.
  • Gurr, E., Namdari, R., Lai, J., Parker, D., Wendt, D. C., & Burack, J. A. (2020). Perspective on shyness as adaptive from Indigenous Peoples of North America. In L. A. Schmidt & K. L. Poole (Eds.), Adaptive shyness: Multiple perspectives on behavior and development (pp. 239-249). Springer.
  • Beaulieu, L., Butler, B. P., Parker, D. G., & Drapeau, M. (2020). Continuing education: A review of the empirical support for psychotherapy training offered to Qu茅bec psychologists. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 61(1), 72 - 91.

Katrina Smeja

Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology

Katrina Smeja

Katrina is a member of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi. She is a doctoral student in the Counselling Psychology program at 9I制作厂免费 and obtained her MA in Counselling Psychology from Simon Fraser University (British Columbia), where she explored how narrative therapy might contribute to decolonizing approaches to counselling. She has an interest in qualitative research and Indigenous Research Methods, as well as community-based initiatives that support healing and wellness in Indigenous communities.

MA thesis:聽

Daysi Zentner

Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology

Daysi ZentnerDaysi obtained her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Psychology and her MA degree in Child Studies both at Concordia University. She is currently completing her PhD in the Counselling Psychology program at 9I制作厂免费. Daysi is a strong proponent of mixed methods research and her research interests include community development, resiliency, and coping strategies. For her doctoral thesis, she hopes to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities in exploring and identifying health, social, economic, and other factors that may be impacted by the recent cannabis legalization in Canada.

Camille Zolopa

Ph.D. Student in Counselling Psychology

Camille is a doctoral student in Counselling Psychology under the supervision of Dr Dennis Wendt and Dr St茅phanie Marsan. She obtained a Master's of Science in Clinical Research Methods at Fordham University supervised by Dr Andrew Rasmussen. Camille鈥檚 research interests include harm reduction strategies, culturally relevant counselling, and the use of qualitative methods. Her dissertation project aims to elucidate the usage of harm reduction and other supportive services by Indigenous people living in Montr茅al.

Scholarships/Awards

  • SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, 2025-2028
  • Richard H. Tomlinson Doctoral Fellowship, 2023
  • 9I制作厂免费 Graduate Excellence Fellowship, 2023

Publications

  • Zolopa, C., Clifasefi, S. L., Dobischok, S., Gala, N., Fraser-Purdy, H., Phillips, M. K., Blackmore, S., & Wendt, D. C. (2025). A scoping review of harm reduction practices and possibilities among indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 269, 112597. 聽(Open Access)聽

  • Zolopa, C., Brothers, T.D., Leclerc, P., Mary, J.F., Morissette, C., Bruneau, J., Martin, N.K., Hyshka, E., & Larney, S. (2025.) Characteristics of supervised injection site clients and factors associated with requiring overdose intervention, Montreal, Canada, 2018-2022. International Journal of Drug Policy, 137, 104711. (Open Access)

  • Levinsson, A.,听Zolopa, C., Vakili, F., Udhesister, S., Kronfli, N., Maheu-Giroux, M., Bruneau, J., Valerio, H., Bajis, S. Read, P., Martr贸, E., Boucher, L., Morris, L., Grebely, J., Artenie, A., Stone, J., 聽Vickerman, P., & Larney, S. (2024.) Sex and gender differences in hepatitis C virus risk, prevention, and cascade of care in people who inject drugs: systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinical Medicine, 72, 102596. doi.org/10.1016j.eclinm.2024.102596 (Open Access)

  • Mitra S., Bouck Z., Larney S.,听Zolopa C., Hoj S., Minoyan N., Upham K., Rammohan I., Mok WY., Hayashi K., Milloy M-J., DeBeck K., Scheim., Werb D. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who use drugs in three Canadian cities: A cross-sectional analysis. (2024). Harm Reduction Journal, 21(1), 94. doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-00996-x (Open Access)

  • Zolopa, C., Leon, M., & Rasmussen, A. (2023). A Systematic Review of Response Styles Among Latinx Populations.聽Assessment 31(4), 1-17. Doi.org/10.1177/10731911231194969聽

  • Marshall, A. D., Martinello, M.,听Zolopa, C., Treloar, C., & Larney, S. (2023). Universal hepatitis C virus screening and treatment as part of prenatal care. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 8(4), 295-297.

  • Zolopa, C., Brothers, T.D., Leclerc, P., Mary, J.F., Morissette, C., Bruneau, J., Hyshka, E., Martin, N.K., & Larney, S. (2022.) Changes in supervised consumption site use and emergency interventions in Montr茅al, Canada in the first twelve months of the COVID-19 pandemic: An interrupted time series study. International Journal of Drug Policy, 110, 103894. PMID: 36308892.

  • Minoyan, N., H酶j, S.B.,听Zolopa, C., Vlad, D., Bruneau, J., and Larney, S. (2022). Self-reported impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs: a rapid assessment study in Montreal, Canada. Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1), 19-38. PMID: 35436936.

  • Zolopa, C., Burack, J.A., O鈥機onnor, R.M., Corran, C., Lai, J., Bomfim, E., DeGrace, S., Dumont, J., Larney, S., and Wendt, D.C. (2022). Changes in youth mental health, psychological wellbeing, and substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review. Adolescent Research Review, 7(2), 161-177. PMID: 35252542.

  • Zolopa, C., H酶j, S., Minoyan, N., Bruneau, J., Makarenko, I., and Larney, S. (2022). Aging and older people who use illicit opioids, cocaine, or methamphetamine: A scoping review and literature map. Addiction, 117(8), 2168-2188. PMID: 35072313.

  • Zolopa, C., Hoj, S., Bruneau, J., Meeson, J.S., Minoyan, N., Raynault, M.F., Makarenko, I. and Larney, S. (2021.) A rapid review of the impacts of 鈥淏ig Events鈥� on risks, harms, and service delivery among people who use drugs: Implications for responding to COVID-19. International Journal of Drug Policy, 92, 103127. PMID: 33549464.

Sophie Blackmore

Ph.D. Student in Counselling Psychology

Sophie is a PhD student in Counselling Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Wendt. Sophie is originally from Ottawa, ON, and obtained her Honours BA in Psychology from Queen鈥檚 University in 2020. She then completed her MSc in Clinical Psychopathology at the Vrije Universiteit (Amsterdam, Netherlands) in 2023, where her thesis focused on the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for people with anxiety and depressive disorders. Overall, her research interests focus on Indigenous health and wellbeing, improving access to healthcare services, and the development of culturally competent psychological interventions and assessment methods.聽

Her interest in Indigenous and cross-cultural mental health began at Queen鈥檚, where she volunteered with a non-profit organization and taught culturally relevant physical and mental health education to students in Salluit, Nunavik for several months. Following this, she pursued several research and work opportunities to engage more with these topics, including work assessing suicide crisis lines for Indigenous communities in Canada, working with the Nicotine Dependence Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and research projects on psychosis risk for migrant populations and assessing trauma symptoms in various ethnic and diagnostic subgroups in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.聽

Sophia Dobischok

Ph.D. Student in Counselling Psychology

Sophia is a PhD student in Counselling Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Wendt. She pursued two undergraduate degrees concurrently and obtained both a BSc in Behavioral Neuroscience and a BA in English from Simon Fraser University (2022). In 2025, she completed her MA in Counselling Psychology at 9I制作厂免费. Her PhD research focuses on perinatal harm reduction.

Scholarships/Awards

  • Canada Graduate Scholarship - Doctoral (SSHRC), 2025-2027
  • 9I制作厂免费 Graduate Excellence Fellowship, 2025

Publications

  • Gala, N., Dobischok, S., Bernett, P., Parker, D., O鈥機allahan, A., Zentner, D., Huson, K., Tomaro, J., Wendt., D. (2025). Indigenous Peoples and medications for Opioid Use Disorders: A scoping review. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. Advance online publication.

  • Zentner, D., Dobischok, S., Wen, A., DeGrace, S., Wendt., D. (2025). Experiences, impact, and perspectives on recreational cannabis use among Indigenous communities: A scoping review. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 39(4), 354鈥�364.

  • Zolopa, C., Clifasefi, S., Dobischok, S., Gala, N., Blackmore, S., Wendt., D. (2025). A scoping review of harm reduction practices and possibilities among Indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 269, 1-13.

  • Metcalfe, R., Dobischok, S., Bansback, N., MacDonald, S., Byres, D., LaJeunesse, J., Harrison, S., Koch, B., Topping, B., Brock, T., Foreman, J., Schechter, M., Oviedo-Joekes, E. (2024). Client preferences for the design and delivery of injectable opioid agonist treatment services: Results from a best-worst scaling task. Addiction, 119(12), 2139-2150. .

  • Dobischok, S., Archambault, L., Goyer, M.E. (2024). Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Interventions for Populations Experiencing Addiction and/or Homelessness: A Scoping Review of Outcomes. Journal of Drug Issues. 0(0), 1-24.

  • Dobischok, S., Guh, D., Marchand, K., MacDonald, S., Lock, K., Harrison, S., Lajeunesse, J., Schechter, M., Oviedo-Joekes, E. (2023). The impact of injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) on clients鈥� involvement in criminalized activities: A secondary analysis from a clinical trial in Vancouver, BC. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 15, 147-156. doi: 10.2147/SAR.S438451

  • Dobischok, S., Carvajal, J., Turner, K., Jaffe, K., Lehal, E., Blawatt, S., Redquest, C., Baltzer-Turje, R., McDougall., P., Koch, B., McDermid, C., Hassan, D., Harrison, S., Oviedo-Joekes, E. (2023). 鈥淚t feels like I鈥檓 coming to a friend鈥檚 house鈥�: A qualitative study of the implementation of iOAT within an integrated care site (Dr. Peter Centre). Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 18(1). doi: 10.1186/s13722-023-00428-4

  • Oviedo-Joekes, E., Dobischok, S., Carvajal, J., MacDonald, S., McDermid, C., Klakowicz, P., Harrison, S., LaJeunesse, J., Chow, N., Brown, M., Gill, S., & Schechter, M. (2023). Clients鈥� experiences on North America鈥檚 first take-home injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) program: A qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1).

  • Dobischok, S., Metcalfe, R., Matzinger, E., Palis, H., Marchand, K., Harrison, S., MacDonald, S., Byres, D., Schechter, M., Bansback, N., & Oviedo-Joekes, E. (2023). Measuring the preferences of injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) clients: Development of a person-centered scale (best-worst scaling). International Journal of Drug Policy, 112.

  • Dobischok, S., Metcalfe, R. K., Matzinger, E. A., Lock, K., Harrison, S., MacDonald, S., Amara, S., Schechter, M. T., Bansback, N., & Oviedo-Joekes, E. (2022). Feasibility of testing client preferences for accessing injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT): A pilot study. Patient Preference and Adherence, 16, 3405鈥�3413.

Hannah Fraser-Purdy

MA Student in Counselling Psychology

Hannah has a BA in Psychology from 9I制作厂免费 (2023) and is a current MA student in Counselling Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Wendt. Her research interests mainly revolve around substance use, harm reduction, psychopathology, well-being, and cultural and Indigenous psychology. For her undergraduate research project, she studied ethnic-racial identity dimensions of Multiracial college students and their associations with anxiety & depression symptoms. In the future, she hopes to help develop culturally safe and effective practices with & for Indigenous communities within the field of Psychology.

Tamara Stecyk

MA Student in Counselling Psychology

Tamara is a Master鈥檚 student in Counselling Psychology at 9I制作厂免费, building on her undergraduate background in psychology, behavioral sciences, and sociology. Her research is grounded in theoretical and philosophical psychology, leveraging critical and narrative-phenomenological frameworks to explore how social structures shape mental health rehabilitation and recovery. She is particularly interested in psychological anthropology, critically examining reductionism in psychiatry and investigating how resilience and wellness can be cultivated through nonclinical pathways, particularly through community and arts engagement.

Darah Olaogun

MA Student in Counselling Psychology

Darah is a MA student in Counselling Psychology at 9I制作厂免费, working under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Wendt. She holds a BA in Psychology from 9I制作厂免费. Her research interests center on mental health equity, culturally responsive care, and identity-informed clinical practice. She is particularly passionate about amplifying marginalized voices within psychological research and service delivery. Her current work explores barriers to mental health access among immigrant populations, with a specific focus on Black and African diasporic communities in Canada.

Ireland Moore

MA Student in Counselling Psychology

Ireland is a MA student in Counselling Psychology at 9I制作厂免费, working under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Wendt. Ireland is originally from the rural village Pilot Mound in southern Manitoba. She completed an聽undergraduate degree in Psychology and minoring in Law at Concordia University. Ireland is an Indigenous student and works with the Indigenous population of Tiohti脿:ke at the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (NFCM) as well as at the Open Door as an intervention worker. Ireland hopes to begin working with her community in academia, more specifically, looking at the effects of epigenetic and decolonizing therapy through land-based techniques.聽

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