Michelle Popielarz, B.A. (Adv.

)
CCC# 7863
999 Seymour Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 3M1
Phone: (778) 987-8544 Email: michellepopielarz@gmail.com
Site: http://michellepopielarz.weebly.com/
PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH INTERESTS
Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
Impact on memory during early childhood
traumatic experiences
Impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on
quality of life for children and youth

Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive

Disorders

Child and youth assessment and

counselling

Group and individual counselling

EDUCATION
Master of Counselling
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB

2011-2014

Bachelor of Arts Advanced, Psychology

2003-2008
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Dans Honour List (2005-2008)
Relevant courses: Abnormal psychology, Social Psychology, Personality, Adolescent
Development, Child Development, Psychological Measurement and assessment
MASTER OF COUNSELLING: RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Completed Courses 2011 - 2014:
Counselling Strategies and Interventions
Research and Program Evaluation Skills
Assessment: Processes and Application
Counselling Diverse Clients
Professional Ethics and Conduct
Group Counselling and Process Skills
General Counselling Practicum

Foundational Counselling & Conflict

Resolution Skills
Theories of Counselling & Their
Application to Client Change
Health Psychology
Cognitive & Affective Bases of Behaviour
Marriage and Family Systems

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Professional Counselling
April 2014 October 2014
BC Families in Transition, Victoria, BC
Provideindividualtreatmentandassessmentservicestochildren,adolescents,adults,and
families
Co-facilitate weekly group counselling sessions for children and adolescents
Conduct prescreening intake interviews to assess client suitability for group counselling sessions

Michelle Popielarz (778) 987-8544

Practicum Student Counsellor

September 2013 - April 2014
BC Families in Transition, Victoria, BC
Provideindividualtreatmentandassessmentservicestochildren,adolescents,adults,and
families who are confronted with challenges of separation, divorce, or transition to a new family
structure
Co-facilitate weekly group counselling sessions for children and adolescents
Conduct prescreening intake interviews to assess client suitability for group counselling sessions
Graduate Assistant for Dr. Marlo Steed, Faculty of Education
2012-2013
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB
Conducted literature reviews on professors specific areas of interest including: uses for rapid
prototyping in education, impact of virtual realty on education, and the educational value of
visual perspective taking
Assisted professor in the development of new teaching materials for upcoming courses
Performed a variety of administrative tasks, such as typing articles, editing text, and compiling
reference materials
Program Manager & Assistant Regional Manager
2009-2012
Pivot Point Family Growth Centre Inc., Surrey, BC
Assisted in generating Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programming for clients ages 3-18
with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Oversaw case related administrative duties while providing direct support to clients
Trained frontline staff to utilize behavioral modification and Discrete Trial Training
Worked alongside speech language therapists, occupational therapists, counsellors,
psychiatrists, neurofeedback practitioners, and bio-medical interventionists in collaborating
programming on clients therapeutic teams
Planned, delivered and managed social skills groups offered to children and teenagers with
ASD. Participants were taught how to manage their own behaviour in social settings. Social
skills training focused on making and maintaining eye contact, initiating play, basic
conversation skills, sharing and trading, solving problems with peers, and creating mutual play
Behavioural Interventionist, Child Care Worker & Life Skills Coach
2008-2012
Pivot Point Family Growth Centre Inc., Surrey, BC
Provided intensive therapeutic ABA interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Assisted clients with adjusting to various social situations and with managing their anxiety
through programs that have been specialized for their own needs
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (Intern)

Member, Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (Individual)
Member, Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division
Member, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Professional)
Premier Member, Coaches BC

2013-Present
2013-Present
2012-Present
2012-Present
2010-Present

Michelle Popielarz (778) 987-8544

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Recognizing and Treating the Emerging
Epidemic, 2 day workshop by Jack Hirose & Associates. Winnipeg, MB. October, 2014.

Self-Regulation in Children: Keeping the Body, Mind & Emotions on Task in Children with
Autism, ADHD & Sensory Disorders, 1 day workshop by Jack Hirose & Associates. Vancouver,
BC. May, 2014.

Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents, 1 day workshop by Jack Hirose &
Associates. Vancouver, BC. April, 2014.

Anxiety - Practical Intervention Strategies, 1 day workshop by Crisis & Trauma Resource
Institute. Vancouver, BC. December 2013.

DSM-5 Whats New...Whats different, 1 day workshop by Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute.
Victoria, BC. October 2013.

Helping the Anxious Client: Strategies That Really Work, 2 day workshop by Jack Hirose &
Associates. Richmond, BC. December, 2012.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Strategies and Techniques for Clinicians, 2 day workshop by
Jack Hirose & Associates. Winnipeg, MB. November, 2012.

Up and Down the Worry Hill: User Friendly CBT for OCD and Anxiety in Children and
Adolescents, 2 day workshop by Jack Hirose & Associates. Winnipeg, MB. October, 2012.

Counselling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clients, 1 day workshop by Kevin
Alderson through the Family Centre Society of Southern Alberta. Lethbridge, AB. July, 2012.

CERTIFICATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Assessing Suicide Risk in Kids (ASK)
Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC

2014

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC

2014

First Aid and CPR (Level C) Certification

St John Ambulance, Vancouver, BC

2012

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certification

Pivot Point Family Growth Centre, Surrey, BC

2012

Applied Behaviour Analysis Training, Elizabeth Sparling

Pivot Point Family Growth Centre, Surrey, BC

2009

Level Two Artistic Gymnastics Coach Certification

National Coaching Certification Program, Vancouver, BC

2001

Michelle Popielarz (778) 987-8544

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Gymnastics Coach
Arbutus Gymnastics Club, Vancouver, BC
2008-Present

Provided instruction to children and teenagers in recreational and

competitive gymnastics

7 years of additional gymnastics coaching experience at

Gymkyds (Winnipeg MB), Ariels Gymnastics (Winnipeg MB), and Flicka Gymnastics (North
Vancouver BC)
Student Representative
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
2005-2008
Collected funds within an outgoing call center environment for the development of the
University of Manitoba
Contacted University of Manitoba alumni and updated them on faculty and University
development, and current events occurring within the University
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Coach, Special Olympics BC, North Vancouver BC

2010-Present

Events Volunteer, BC Cancer Foundation, Vancouver BC

2010-Present

Christmas Bureau Staff, Family Services of the North Shore, North Vancouver BC

2005-Present

Events Volunteer, South Granville Seniors Centre, Vancouver BC

2010-2012

Public Relations Coordinator, Special Olympics BC, North Vancouver BC

2010-2012

Co-Coordinator, Seeing Eye to Eye Fundraiser Vancouver BC

Tutor, Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB
ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

2009
2005-2008

Sports Activities National competitive gymnast for 15 years in North Vancouver, BC

Fitness and Health Running, hiking, paddle boarding, yoga, and Pilates
Travel North America, Japan, Australia, and Europe
Community work charity events and provincial coaching opportunities for the Special
Olympics

REFERENCES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST