Prince Edward Island

Deborah Wood Salter
2009-2013

Deborah Wood Salter holds a Masters of Education (Counselling) from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics (Education) from the University of Prince Edward Island.

Deborah has been part of the counselling community in Prince Edward Island since 1982 and a member of the Prince Edward Island Counselling Association (PEICA) since 1982. At that time, she was the only member not employed in the school system so relied on the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) for information on topics relevant to work and personal interests. She has been actively involved in the PEICA by either holding office or participating in working groups beginning in 1997 when planning started on the hosting of the CCPA 2000 national conference. Deborah has been a member of the CCPA since 1989 and has held the designation of Canadian Certified Counsellor, CCC, since 1996. 

Deborah was chosen by the PEICA to attend the November 2008 CCPA National Symposium on Inter-Provincial Mobility within the Counselling Profession. She has since become the PEI representative on that Committee and attended the February 2009 meeting.

Deborah has been actively involved with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada since 1989. In 1996 - 98 while serving as President of the local chapter, a campaign was launched to have the PEI Government approve and financially support four very expensive MS disease modifying drugs. Much of the burden of the campaign fell to the MS Chapter. In 1998, she also accepted the position of PEI Social Advocacy Representative for Atlantic Multiple Sclerosis Division and became the spokesperson for the MS Society and for all Islanders with MS. Largely through her efforts, the media began to support the campaign and awareness grew within the public and government of what MS is and who it affects. In October 1998 the government announced the creation of the PEI MS Medications Cost Assistance Program. She was recognized, provincially, regionally and nationally for the work. Deborah also served as a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Atlantic Board of Directors from

Deborah has been with Veterans Affairs Canada in Charlottetown since 1997.  She is currently a Senior Program Officer with the national Mental Health Directorate.

Director's Report - November 2011

Prince Edward Island Director's Report

Deborah Wood Salter

November 2011

Abstract

The year, 2011-2012, is off to a great start for the PEI Counselling Association with a new enthusiastic and energetic Executive.  The CCPA membership in PEI remains the same at 75 while the PEI Counselling Association number is slightly less. Both the Psychotherapist Chapter and School Counselling Chapters are busy planning activities.

The annual Tri-PD conference, held in September, 2011 was very successful. This year, the committee which is comprised of representatives from the psychology, social work and counselling associations partnered with the PEI Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association to sponsor Dr. Jack Jordan, a specialist in grief counseling with survivors of suicide.  Dr. Jordan conducted a two-day workshop in Loss and Traumatic Loss for over 150 registrants.  He also spoke at a special luncheon for suicide survivors, held in Charlottetown.

The Government of PEI is once again under the leadership of Liberal leader, Robert Ghiz, whose party returned a majority government in September 2011.  The new Minister of Health and  Wellness, the Hon. Doug Currie, is a former school counsellor and aware of the PEICA’s effects around regulation.  Although the PEICA did not engage in a formal lobby effort during the election campaign, individual members did speak with candidates from each of the parties as they visited on doorsteps, businesses and community events.

The school boards on PEI have had difficulty this school year in filling a number of counseling positions.  As a result, an initial meeting has been held with the UPEI Faculty of Education to explore the possibility of offering a Masters of Counselling program.  A ‘call of interest’ has gone out to teachers as a first step.   

Connections and Communications

The PEICA is planning a number of activities to attract members to meetings and professional development opportunities.  The first will be a social on November 18^th that will combine counsellor networking with PEICA information sharing.  This will also be an ideal opportunity to promote membership in the CCPA.

The PEICA – Psychotherapist Counselling Chapter has a new Executive that will be meeting in the near future to discuss the next steps in pursing regulation.  It is expected that the progress made in Nova Scotia will have a positive effect for PEI.

The PEI School Counselling Chapter is very engaged with members.  At the recent provincial two-day workshop for all Island teachers, PEICA had a booth that provided visibility for the profession and was visited by a number of conference participants interested in becoming school counsellors.

Concerns and Challenges                  

The ongoing pursuit of regulation is a constant concern.  In addition, school counsellors are being challenged again this year by the gap that remains without a school counsellor professional consultant at the PEI Department of Education.  The Student Services Coordinator continues to play a facilitative role in the organization of professional development.

The PEICA will be very interested in any discussions regarding a Masters of Counselling program at UPEI.

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