Working with clients who do not share our individual cultural identity can be challenging for mental health professionals. We know that building a strong therapeutic relationship is required for us to engage in meaningful work with clients. Psychologists, social workers, counsellors, and other mental health professionals across North America, are asking themselves, "How can I practice in a more culturally competent manner?" And, "How do I discuss aspects of culture within this therapeutic relationship?"

Hear our esteemed speaker address these topics and more within our live webinar.

Dr. Sandra Dixon - Registered Psychologist and Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Lethbridge.
This session will include a lecture from the speaker, opportunities for self-reflective learning, and will be followed by a question and answer session. Participants will have a chance to submit questions in advance of the event, as well as in the live chat. The webinar will be held on January 29, 2021, and will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm (Mountain Daylight Time).

Connect your students to the profession through Landscape Ontario Congress Connect on January 12th-14th! A virtual experience that will introduce students to the diverse landscape profession!
This opportunity is being offered for free to educators and students. Additional conferences and symposiums are available at a discounted rate for educators and students. Learn more about the Congress Connect Opportunities for your class below.

In the wake of Black Lives Matter protests, educators and schools across the nation are planning anti-racist work. How will you ensure your school isn’t just going through the motions?

Last year I received a consultation request from a school after two students posted pictures in blackface on social media. When I asked what time and resources they were committing to this issue, they said they had set aside 45 minutes of their upcoming staff meeting to address bias and racism. They were not interested in investing beyond that session.

Being called in reactively to support teachers and staff after a racist incident has never sat well with me. But now, as Black Lives Matter protests have swelled throughout the world, our entire country is reacting to centuries of white supremacy and violence experienced by the Black community.

As a social and emotional learning (SEL) practitioner-scholar, I am fortunate to get invitations to support schools and districts all over the United States. When schools and districts learn that I address SEL within the larger sociopolitical context, integrating culturally responsive and SEL practices to ensure equitable student outcomes, some are excited. Too many, however, insist that there is no need to discuss equity or culturally responsive practices; their school population is mostly white. The pushback at these schools reveals an underlying discomfort with talking about race, identity, and difference in our nation's classrooms. I worry about the marginalized students and educators in these schools who are either expected to do the brunt of the race and equity work or who are likely struggling silently.

Like all families, Black caregivers send their children to school not only to learn, but to be cared for by educators. In far too many cases, neither is taking place as revealed by increasing Black-White achievement gaps, over-referrals to high incidence areas of special education, excessive suspensions, under-referrals to gifted education and advanced courses, and excessive policing of Black bodies from head to toe as early as preschool. All of these school-based injustices have a common denominator: mainly White educators who harbor blatant or implicit negative expectations of Black students. The litany of journal articles, data-based reports, and personal stories in social media slam me in the face and pain my heart almost daily. The adultification and dehumanization of our Black children from preschool through high school and on to college is undeniable and sickening.

While the calendar might be turning a new page, much of our reality will still be the same in 2021.

We need to work extra hard to manage our emotions well.

While it may seem counter-intuitive to take a course online when we are working remotely, our programs can help you learn how to take time during the day to practice mindfulness.

This month, there are three new programs being offered: Thrive with smartEducation, Thrive with a Guided Silent Retreat, and Thrive with a Mindful Community of Educators & Healthcare Professionals.

Believe it or not, the Canadian film and TV industry is growing by the day, with more work opportunities for young Canadians than ever before. You heard that right: not even 2020 has stopped this growth.

The Reel Opportunities programme, presented by REEL CANADA and Bell Media, offers online career development workshops, designed to support teachers in expanding student awareness of Canada’s world-class film industry, exposing youth to the many exciting roles that are now highly in demand.

New, practical and fun! Our latest series of OTF Connects webinars brings together a selection of our great facilitators to share hands-on distance teaching strategies and approaches to wellbeing. Come join us in a relaxed atmosphere as we jump into stories of what has been working for us – or maybe not so much – and what you might want to try out as we navigate these unprecedented times together.

An accessible, content-rich and value-packed opportunity for Canada’s career development communities to convene, share and learn. Over 150 sessions on supporting clients through the pandemic, effective counselling & facilitation techniques, career assessments, labour market information, working with diverse populations, Mental health & resilience, youth employment, Talent management & leadership development, online tools & technologies, workforce & community economic development.
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Une occasion accessible, riche en contenu et en valeur aux communautés spécialisées en développement de carrière du Canada pour qu’elles puissent se réunir, échanger et apprendre. Plus de 150 séances de formation : Soutien des clients pendant la pandémie, Counseling efficace et techniques d’animation, Information sur le marché du travail, Évaluation relative à la carrière, Travail avec des populations et clientèles variées, Santé mentale et résilience, Emploi des jeunes, Gestion du talent et développement du leadership, Outils et technologies numériques, Main-d’œuvre et développement économique communautaire.

The Ontario School Counsellors' Association has a long-standing tradition (over 40 years) of recognizing and awarding those who stand out in the field of Guidance and Career Education. OSCA recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have made a significant contribution to Guidance and Career Education in Ontario. We can say with confidence that our past award winners have helped thousands find their pathways to successful futures! OSCA's awards are an excellent way of recognizing your most dedicated peers.

Winter Session: Monday, January 11, 2021 -to- Monday, March 8, 2021  
Register for the Winter Session here!

Cost: $650