- Gardening
- Volunteering
- I participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities
- Kayaking
- Hiking
- Volunteer Work
- Environmental Stewardship
- Creative Writing
- Dancing
- Yoga
Candace Stryker
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Llodyminster,Alberta
Summary
Experienced trauma-informed counsellor and educator with a strong background in addictions, grief, and existential care. Has 7+ years of multidisciplinary work, blending psychological frameworks with environmental and spiritual dimensions for holistic healing. Administered and developed psychoeducational curricula for diverse audiences, mentored counsellors-in-training, and supported clients first-hand recovering from addiction and mental health concerns. Ready to help students deepen their knowledge, find their strengths and apply their skills.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
1
1
Language
Work History
Psychotherapist
Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres
Remote, Ontario
04.2023 - Current
- Facilitated therapy for groups of 10+ people and individual sessions for clients with addiction and mental health needs.
- Increased client engagement through tailored online interventions and continuous care monitoring.
- Conducted comprehensive client intakes and risk assessments.
- Developed personalized treatment plans to reduce relapse rates through proactive prevention strategies.
- Engaged in regular clinical supervision.
- Enhanced therapeutic skills and maintained best practices through collaborative team learning.
Counsellor
Integrated Therapies and Performance
Lloydminster, Alberta
05.2024 - 03.2025
- Delivered individual counseling to clients from age 10+.
- Improved client coping skills through evidence-based interventions tailored to developmental stages.
- Provided school-based mental health support.
- Reduced crisis incidents through immediate safety planning and staff collaboration.
- Designed and delivered psychoeducational classroom sessions for high school mental health programs.
- Increased student engagement through interactive lessons on coping skills and emotional regulation.
Addictions Counsellor
Thorpe Recovery Centre
Blackfoot, Alberta
12.2020 - 04.2023
- Delivered psychoeducational lectures to groups of 50+ clients on addiction recovery and mental health management.
- Achieved 85% participant satisfaction through interactive, trauma-informed teaching methods that improved knowledge retention.
- Led group therapy for 15+ clients in recovery, increasing participation through trauma-informed facilitation techniques.
- Created individualized treatment plans reducing client behavioral incidents through tailored interventions.
- Developed and led optional mindfulness curriculum beyond core requirements.
- Provided counseling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
- Developed individual treatment goals based on history and diagnosis.
Addictions Counsellor
South Country Treatment Centre
Lethbridge, Alberta
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Coordinated aftercare transitions.
- Successfully connected clients with continued community support services.
- Delivered psychoeducational lectures, created individual treatment plans, and led group therapy sessions on a diversity of topics related to addictions and mental health increasing stress reduction and supporting clients in recovery management.
Practicum Student
Jack Ady Cancer Centre
Lethbridge, Alberta
09.2017 - 04.2018
- Provided grief counseling to palliative patients reducing patient distress using person-centered care interventions.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary care with doctors, and nurses to improve patient satisfaction through enhanced team communication.
Teaching Assistant
University of Lethbridge
09.2016 - 04.2018
- Assisted with counseling skills labs increasing student competency through experiential learning.
- Evaluated and provided feedback on student assignments in addictions counseling courses.
- Supported student through the provision of constructive, individualized feedback that reinforced learning objectives.
VP Education
Coulee Commentators Toastmasters Club
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Transformed weekly meetings into growth-focused experiences.
- Increased member participation through themed sessions that normalized vulnerability and celebrated authentic communication.
- Redesigned leadership development pathways.
- 100% of members expanded their comfort zones by taking on challenging roles within a psychologically-safe environment.
Owner/Operator
Transpire Organic Farm & Wellness
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Built an inclusive community enterprise.
- Increased volunteer retention through talent-matching strategies that empowered 30+ participants.
- Bridged urban-rural divides creating educational videos on farming and vegetable production.
- Created farm-to-table events that tripled cross-community collaborations.
Community Garden Builder
Opportunities Waterloo Region
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Led policy advocacy for urban gardeners.
- Secured 3 municipal reforms that expanded growing spaces for residents.
- Spearheaded community-building initiatives.
- Grew participation of gardeners through media-savvy outreach and the creation of collaborative community-minded events.
Education
University of Lethbridge - Master of Education - Counselling Psychology
University of Lethbridge
09.2016 - 04.2018
Master of Arts - Environmental Studies
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Canada 05.2001 -
Skills
- Addiction Counseling
- Mental Health Support
- Group Facilitation
- Psychoeducation
- Public Speaking
- Interdisciplinary Care Coordination
- Teaching and Training
- Community Engagement
Affiliations
CCPA - Canadian Counselling and Psychoterhapy Association
ACTA - Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta
Certification
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Interests
Timeline
Canadian Certified Counsellor
07-2026
Counsellor
Integrated Therapies and Performance
05.2024 - 03.2025
Psychotherapist
Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres
04.2023 - Current
Addictions Counsellor
Thorpe Recovery Centre
12.2020 - 04.2023
Addictions Counsellor
South Country Treatment Centre
01.2020 - 05.2020
Practicum Student
Jack Ady Cancer Centre
09.2017 - 04.2018
Teaching Assistant
University of Lethbridge
09.2016 - 04.2018
University of Lethbridge - Master of Education - Counselling Psychology
University of Lethbridge
09.2016 - 04.2018
VP Education
Coulee Commentators Toastmasters Club
01.2016 - 01.2017
Owner/Operator
Transpire Organic Farm & Wellness
01.2009 - 01.2012
Community Garden Builder
Opportunities Waterloo Region
01.2008 - 01.2009
Master of Arts - Environmental Studies
University of Waterloo
05.2001 -
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