Pat Ferris
MSW, RCSW, M.SC., Ph.D.
Pat has been a mental health counseling professional since 1979. She has a masters degree in clinical social work and a Ph.D. in industrial organizational psychology. She is registered as a Clinical Social Worker. Pat's 40+ years experienced in counselling and consulting in mental health and her 25+ years consulting, training and coaching in the workplace provides her with broad insights to helping both individuals and companies achieve their mental health goals. Pat was a partner in a large private practice that delivered both corporate and individual services. In this role, Pat lead a team of clinicians and trainers to deliver counselling services, critical incident services, training, and assessment services.
Dedicated to a Better Quality of Life for Her Clients
Pat is a skilled counselor who uses the therapeutic relationship to help clients develop knowledge of themselves, facilitate emotional growth and develop personal resources that lead to a better quality of life for her clients. She holds advanced accreditation in hypnosis, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Specialist in Bullying and Harassment Situations
Pat specializes in counseling and coaching individuals involved in bullying and harassment situations. Pat is recognized as an international expert on the topic of Workplace Harassment and Bullying. She was the Co-Convenor of the Therapist Special Interest Group of the International Association on Workplace Bullying and Harassment for a decade, leading an international group of therapists in developing treatment protocols for targets of workplace bullying. She provides keynote speaking, workplace training for employees, supervisors and senior leaders in managing workplace bullying and harassment, coaching to those involved in managing workplace bullying, and counselling to those who have been targeted and those who have engaged in bullying.
Pat’s Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology focused on quality of life issues in the workplace. From this training, she has developed expertise in training and consultation on Respect in the Workplace, workplace stress and its relationship to cardiovascular and other disease processes, the psychology of safety, and leadership development and selection.
Pat was nominated for the British Petroleum International Helios Award for Research in Best Practices in the Workplace, 2008 for her work on stress in the oil and gas industry and team solutions. She also holds Lifetime Achievement Award, Calgary Women’s Soccer Association, 2010 for contributions to governance.
Pat is a popular speaker and trainer at numerous international conferences on the topic of workplace bullying and harassment and other mental health issues.
DOWNLOAD PAT'S CURRICULUM VITAEGiving Back
Pat believes in giving back to the community She supports the Calgary Humane Society, MEOW Foundation, The Canadian Red Cross and is an active volunteer in a Children’s Foundation in Nicaragua called “Believe Academy.” Believe Academy operates local programs in the community of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. They provide children’s programs, education programs, food and clothing programs, and job training programs. Pat recently went to San Juan del Sur to work with the children.
All pictures on this page are posted with the Academy's permission and parents' permission.
Professional Education
2005
Ph.D. Industrial and Organizational Psychology
University of Calgary, Calgary AB
2003
M.Sc. Industrial and Organizational Psychology
University of Calgary, Calgary AB
1986
Master’s Social Work (Clinical)
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
1979
Bachelor of Social Work
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Certifications
Registered Social Worker (Alberta) – Certificate #1733 Clinical Registry
Certification in Hypnotherapy
Certification in Advanced Critical Incident Response
Certification in Advanced EMDR
Moral Injury Certification from Veterans Administration, USA.
Certification in Myers Briggs assessments
Delivery of Hogan Assessments for workplace leadership
Professional Organizations
Alberta Association of Registered Social Workers
International Association of Workplace Bullying and Harassment: Co-convener Therapist Special Interest Group
Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology
Society for Occupational Health Psychology