Your Counsellor Dave is uniquely positioned in the counselling community in that he has worked with two provincial governments (British Columbia and Alberta) and one territorial government (Nunavut) for over 20 years in Child Protection / Child Welfare. He was also a bureaucrat with extensive experience in Program Management, Program Development and Program Delivery.

During his time in Child Protection and Counselling, Dave has had experiences with issues such as trauma (intergenerational), abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual), communication, relational issues, gender issues, active crisis and active addictions. Because of these experiences, Dave has developed a passion for working intensely with individuals, couples and families to learn to live a life of productive actualization.

Dave has a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours majoring in Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work. Dave is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Dave is a member of The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA). ACTA is the precursor organization for Members like Dave to work with his colleagues to help establish the College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (CCTA). CCTA will eventually transition to become a professional regulatory College under Alberta’s Health Professions Act. (If you are unsure what this means, reach out and ask Dave to explain). Finally, Dave is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Transition to British Columbia College of Social Workers and BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) is in progress (April 2025)

Calvary Counselling offers traditional face-to-face meetings in Vernon, British Columbia. However, through the Internet, Dave is excited to be able to meet with anyone who has a stable and reliable Internet connection. This is what Dave refers to as “Counselling the way you want it!” You could connect with Dave while you are on-site at work from your truck; you can connect with Dave while you are enjoying the early morning sun on your deck while you enjoy your coffee. Or you can put the kids down for a nap and meet Dave from the comfort of your couch in your living room. You do not need to find a babysitter, nor do you need to drive in and find a parking spot, if the weather is not good, you don’t have to worry about the drive – just connect by video.

Dave is also a Christian who, by request, will tailor the Counselling experience to include God and the Bible to show us how to live our best lives. King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23 (NIV), “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. This is a really good reminder for us as Christians to use as an initial baseline as we begin Christian Counselling.

Join Dave in a collaborative exploration of self-discovery, and start your journey towards sustainable actualization today.