Meet our staff - 10 questions with Terry Bissett, Supervisor

Calgary Counselling Centre’s best asset is its amazing staff. Generally, we interview staff and write up a (perhaps boring) little story about them, as a means to show off the diversity and depth of experience we have at the Centre.

This newsletter, my intention was to “do the same old thing” for one of our Supervisors - Registered Psychologist, Terry Bissett. She’s often joked that her life could be a country and western song and I was excited to write an article about her.

When I sent her the questions for the interview, her responses back to me demonstrated her levity and character. It seemed silly for me to turn the candid, engaging responses she provided into an article for you to read. So for a change, here are the exact questions – and responses – of our interview. Enjoy.

Interviewed by Kathleen Bell

In this newsletter, we profile one of our Supervisors - Registered Psychologist, Terry Bissett.

Why did you become a counsellor?
Ultimately, the death of my son in 1995 was the catalyst that reconnected me with my original desire to be a counsellor. I remain grateful to the 2 counsellors I visited during that time (with 2 very different theoretical orientations and NOT AT THE SAME TIME). They helped me piece together a new meaning for my new life. Counselling just seemed to grow out of that.

What did you do before you were a counsellor?
I taught junior and senior high school for 30.8 years.

Why Calgary Counselling Centre?
It matters to me that counselling be available to those who need it most and can afford it least.

What, in the last year, are you most proud of – at Calgary Counselling Centre?
I’m proud of that day when my office looked tidy.

What makes you laugh?
Irreverence and irrelevance in unexpected places

What’s the one thing about your younger self that you’d like to reclaim?
If I can only have ONE thing, I’ll take one half of my previous memory and one half of my previous metabolism. I currently possess neither.

What are you really good at?
I think I’m going to have to call a friend on this one. Oh, I’m told that I’m good at “drawing people out” and (new source) at using words in a “lovely and twisted” way. I, however, think I can eat more chocolate coated almonds than anybody here today.

Before you die, what would you like to check off your bucket list?
I’d like to go to France, Italy and Las Vegas. I also want to do more writing (not reports) and finish cleaning the basement.

If you could change places with anyone, living or dead, for one day – who would it be?
Lady Julian of Norwich.

What was your mother right about?
She’s right - I’m really NOT the Queen of Sheba.

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