MPS Faculty Update

St. Stephen's College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lorraine Smith-MacDonald as Professor of Integrative Counselling Psychotherapy and MPS Co-Chair, as well as the appointment of Marie Muggeridge as Faculty Lecturer of Art Therapy and MPS Co-Chair (Art Therapy).  Both appointments are in the Department of Psychotherapy and Spirituality.  Lorraine and Marie join Olga Perju in giving leadership to the MPS, MPS-AT, PMATD, and Graduate Certificate programs.

St. Stephen’s College is delighted to welcome Dr. Lorraine Smith-MacDonald into the MPS Co-Chair position.  Dr. Smith-MacDonald is a researcher, teacher, and clinician.  She comes to SSC from the University of Alberta, where she worked most recently as a postdoctoral fellow at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in the Heroes in Mind Advocacy Research Consortium lab. Her research focuses on the intersectionality of the mental and spiritual domains of health and specializes in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and moral injury in military, veteran, first responder, and family populations. She holds a PhD from the University of Calgary, a Masters in Psychotherapy from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Masters of Divinity (Honours) from the University of Toronto.  She also holds clinical designations with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the Association of Counseling Therapy in Alberta and works as a therapist and chaplain.

With regret, Kayla Cardinal has had to step down from the Co-Chair (Art Therapy) position, effective January 31, 2023.  Kayla was with the College since January 2022, and she brought a depth of experience, community, and warmth to the SSC community.  We are sad to see her step down from the Co-Chair duties, though happy that she will continue with the College as an Associate Faculty member, teaching a few courses for and also being involved with the MPS program in other ways.    

Taking over for Kayla will be Marie Muggeridge, who will begin at SSC on March 1, 2023.  Marie is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist (RCAT), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and is eligible to be registered with Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA). Marie identifies as an educator, consultant, advocate and artist. She is a proud alumna of St. Stephen’s College, where her interest in art and spirituality collided. Marie’s thesis work, Empowerment Through Altered Books, brought new understanding of the deep connection between Spirit and her artmaking. Her clinical work includes community-based programs (Art Hives), consultation for the disability sector, and tertiary level art therapy for children and adolescents. Community is key to Marie’s relational approach to her personal and professional life. Marie’s areas of interest include holistic approaches for people with disabilities, lifelong learning, altered books, and healing trauma through the nervous system.

Lorraine and Marie join Olga, who continues as the Clinical Director.  We look forward to working together!