Mawdah Albatnuni
Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology
Mawdah 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.
Scholarships/Awards
- SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, 2021-2025
- McGill Graduate Excellence Fellowship, 2021
- SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Master’s), 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: 10.1080/13674676.2020.1844175
- 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), 802–814. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000757
Payton Bernett
Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology
I 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. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 38(1), 10–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/08295735231151281
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108165
Kelsey Huson
Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology
Kelsey 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 McGill University, under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Wendt. Kelsey’s 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’s Dean’s Excellence Fellowship, 2021-2023
- Indigenous Graduate Excellence Recruitment Award, 2021-2022
Publications
- 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), 802–814. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000757
- 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.… & 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.
Nmesoma Nweze
Ph.D. Student in Clinical Psychology
Nmesoma Nweze is currently a PhD student in McGill’s 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 is currently pursuing a PhD in counselling psychology at McGill University, having completed a BA in psychology at the University of British Columbia and an MA in counselling psychology (project stream) at McGill University. Daniel’s research interests include collaborating with Indigenous communities to develop, implement, and evaluate culturally-relevant mental health and substance use interventions, as well as the use of 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) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medications for opioid use disorder services in the U.S. and Canada: a scoping review, Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2023.2181147
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108165
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38877-5_13
- Beaulieu, L., Butler, B. P., Parker, D. G., & Drapeau, M. (2020). Continuing education: A review of the empirical support for psychotherapy training offered to Québec psychologists. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 61(1), 72 - 91. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000198
Katrina Smeja
Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology
Katrina is a member of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi. She is a doctoral student in the Counselling Psychology program at McGill 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: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/19426
Daysi Zentner
Ph.D. Candidate in Counselling Psychology
Daysi obtained her bachelor’s 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 McGill University. 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, returning to her undergraduate alma mater following a Master's of Science in Clinical Research Methods at Fordham University supervised by Dr Andrew Rasmussen. Camille’s research interests include harm reduction strategies, culturally relevant counselling, and the use of qualitative methods. Her project with Dr Wendt aims to elucidate the usage of harm reduction and other supportive services by First Nations and Inuit people living in Montréal.
Scholarships/Awards
- Richard H. Tomlinson Doctoral Fellowship, 2023
- McGill Graduate Excellence Fellowship, 2023
Publications
- 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 “Big Events” 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.
- Zolopa, C., Høj, 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., Burack, J.A., O’Connor, 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.
- Minoyan, N., Høj, S.B., 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., 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 Montréal, 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.
- Marshall, A. D., Martinello, M., 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., Leon, M., & Rasmussen, A. A systematic review of response styles among Latinx populations. Accepted for publication by Assessment.
Sophia Dobischok
MA Student in Counselling Psychology
Sophia is an MA 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 in 2022. Following that, Sophia worked with Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes studying the uptake, accessibility, and implementation of injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT, or prescription injectable heroin) in clinics across downtown Vancouver. Her research interests include person-centered substance use care, safer supply, and perinatal substance use.
