Congratulations to CCC’s Christine Berry, Selinger award winner

The Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies at Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) has been at the forefront of domestic abuse counselling and advocacy in the community for a quarter century. With a focus on proactive programs that seek to end the cycle of abuse before it begins, we have seen dramatic progress in awareness and treatment of both victims and offenders. Over that time, there has been an increase in awareness of domestic abuse as a prevailing issue within the community, and growth in available counselling services for parties affected by domestic abuse. We are proud of the many people diligently working to end domestic abuse in our society, including the 2008 Calgary’s Bravest Man, Gordon Wong and CCC’s Christine Berry.

Christine (Chris) Berry, Director of Family Violence Prevention Initiatives has won two awards for her work.

Some of the most amazing, skilled people work at Calgary Counselling Centre. This ensures our clients get the very best therapy in North America.

It took standing beside a large picture of herself for Chris to realize she was the recipient of the 2008 Community Selinger Award – she had WON. Honoured at the 8th Annual HomeFront Awards Celebration on Nov. 18, 2008, Christine (Chris) Berry, Director of Family Violence Prevention Initiatives at the Wilson Centre for Domestic Abuse Studies at Calgary Counselling Centre, was surprised and pleased to win the second of two awards for her work.

“It’s very confirming to have your peers applaud and recognize your efforts,” says Chris, who in her acceptance speech credited the amazing clients with whom she works for their inspiration. “I have lots of proud moments when the clients I work with do well. They’re the reason I’m here.”

The HomeFront Selinger Awards honour the courage and dedication of frontline workers and volunteers in the domestic violence and justice/law enforcement sectors. Chris also received the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association 2008 Group Therapy Appreciation Award for Creative Programming just a few months earlier.

“Chris believes change is possible!” says Lynda-Joy Snyder, her nominator for the Selinger award. “Chris works with people and in situations others fear. She stands in awe of her clients abilities to survive horrible experiences and make change one step at a time. She sees her work as complicated but never dull.

Chris’ efforts address the impact of domestic abuse in the lives of adults and children within our ever-changing community. She plays an active role working with other community agencies to collaboratively stop domestic abuse at its root causes, including the development of the Domestic Conflict Helpline and supervision for the Male Domestic Abuse Outreach Project, an initiative between the Wheatland Shelter, Calgary Counselling Centre, and Child and Family Services.

Chris is known to treat herself to a Tim Horton’s tea – double, double. When she gets home, this amazing psychologist has a kiss for her husband and their two cats. Although she’s admittedly “cat crazy”, she also has a passion for the outdoors, chocolate, reading and her new convertible.

But it’s the stories of clients who have made remarkable progress that make Chris’ eyes shine. She remembers all of their stories and is proud of their accomplishments. “It’s exciting to see people have good lives in spite of what’s happened to them. Having an experience in their past, but not allowing the experience to define them gives me hope and makes me proud.”

Back to top