Student’s journey to be profiled at Haskayne event

Alyna Reesor, co-lead for Calgary Counselling Centre's Children's Programs, will speak on behalf of students at the Centre's event honouring Richard and Lois Haskayne's commitment to counselling education.

Following a long line of helpers - an RCMP officer, police officer and a fire fighter - counselling might have seemed like fulfilling a familial legacy for Alyna Reesor, co-lead for Children’s Programming at Calgary Counselling Centre. Recently promoted to a full time staff position at the Centre, Alyna’s not new to the organization – she’s been making an impact throughout the Centre for the last three years: as a volunteer, intern and resident.

On Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, Alyna will speak on behalf of students at the Centre’s event honouring Richard and Lois Haskayne’s continued generosity. Alyna’s own experience demonstrates how students navigate their journey to becoming an accredited member of the counselling profession, gaining experience through our graduate and post-graduate work experience programs at CCC.

“I am thrilled to be asked to speak at the event,” says Alyna. “I’m nervous already but am excited to be chosen. It’s a huge honour and even more of a privilege to be able to represent the student body, to thank such generous donors.”

Having worked at other non-profit agencies, it was the Centre’s commitment to accessibility and affordability that appealed to her when looking for volunteer and internship opportunities. Alyna finds many advantages in working at a charitable organization.

“Calgary Counselling Centre’s business model allows us to serve a wide variety of cases - people that wouldn’t get treatment otherwise. We get to help a marginalized group of people who probably wouldn’t have been treated anywhere else.”

Asking to participate in many of the Centre activities has meant Alyna’s seen more and done more than most students. She has worked in our Call Centre, administration and communications, while completing two internships and her residency, as she attended Loma Linda University to obtain her Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Alyna has also participated in a variety of marketing and fund development projects at CCC including volunteering at bridal shows promoting the Centre’s marriage preparation course, helping plan special events like the Bravest Men galas and the Charity Golf Classics, as well as speaking at various community events.

“My education has really come full circle here at the Centre,” says Alyna. “The education I’ve received – at what will be called the Haskayne Learning Centre for Graduate and Post-Graduate Counselling Studies - is such an excellent program. I’ve been exposed to the business side of the Centre, while I’ve worked to hone my counselling knowledge, with individuals, couples, families and groups. I am so lucky to have had such amazing mentorship here, especially from Vera McCready, Supervisor, who worked with me for three years. Now that I’m full time, I hope to use all my skills to promote and market the Centre in the future."

As a full time staff member, Alyna’s day includes family therapy, play therapy with children and helping people cope with loss, but a highlight of each day is being able to help the interns and residents when they have questions.

“I’ve been asking questions here for three years," says Alyna with a smile after helping a resident. "Now I’m in a position where I’ve done it long enough that I can answer questions for others. Which is kind of nice, I think.”

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