Counselling Staff

The staff with Counselling Services is made up of professionals committed to serving students in a caring and competent manner. Individual counsellors have the expertise to respond to the wide variety of personal, academic and social issues faced by students during their academic experience. In addition, individual counsellors have some unique areas of expertise and interest which best enable us to connect with students in a way that is most helpful.

To make an appointment with one of our counsellors

Glendon Wiebe, M.A. (Counselling Psychology), R.C.C.

Kelowna Campus (on leave till Sept 2012)
gwiebe@okanagan.bc.ca (250) 762-5445 ext. 4202
I work with students to help maneuver through challenges that are negatively impacting their personal and academic success. Some of my areas of interest include anxiety and depression, relationships, sexuality, and spirituality.





Tina Pernosky, MA (Somatic Counselling Psychology) RCC

Kelowna Campus
tpernosky@okanagan.bc.ca (250) 762-5445 ext. 4202
I am trained as a Somatic (or Body) psychotherapist, meaning I look at health and healing from a holistic perspective - mind, body and soul. I use current neurobiology approaches to trauma, substance use, depression, anxiety, grief and a wide array of life limiting thoughts and behaviors. I am a strength- based therapist, meaning I work collaboratively with clients to identify adaptive traits and ways to expand beliefs so that one can have more freedom and choice in dealing with life. As a result, a client will experience improved relationships, confidence, mood and success in all areas of life.

Laurie Minuk, M.A. (Counselling Psychology), R.C.C., EMDR Level 2

Penticton Campus
lminuk@okanagan.bc.ca (250) 492-4305 ext. 3205
I use a solution-oriented approach to work with students who are dealing with life's challenging problems. My special areas of interest are: disordered eating/body image, gender issues, trauma, grief/loss and social anxiety.

Derrick Doige, MEd. (Counselling Psychology), Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.)

Department Chair - Vernon and Kelowna Campus
ddoige@okanagan.bc.ca (250) 545-7291 ext. 2208
Although I enjoy talking to students on a wide variety of issues, I have a particular interest in helping student explore their career and life dreams, manage their stress and anger, and develop healthy and respectful relationships. click here to visit my web site

Susan Cawsey, MSW, RSW, CRC.

Salmon Arm Campus
scawsey@okanagan.bc.ca (250) 832-2126 ext. 8221
I am available to work with students on a wide range of issues from career and personal counselling to stress management and study skills. I have a background in conflict resolution and I am interestred in helping students succeed in all aspects of their lives.

Carolyn Palfrey Scherer, BSW, MA (Counselling Psychology)

Kelowna Campus
cpalfrey@okanagan.bc.ca (250) 762-5445 ext. 4119
I see great value in working with students to help them make the most of their time here at Okanagan College. I believe everyone has the potential to create positive change in their lives. I aspire to work with students from a strength based approach that is holistic, creative and encourages personal growth. I assist people with a wide range of personal challenges, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem and relationship issues.



Kim Ewing, MA, MSc., RMFT, RCC

Kelowna Campus kewing@okanagan.bc.ca (250)762-5445, ext. 4407
As a counsellor, I see students of all ages who have a variety of concerns. I enjoy working with each individual student and helping them with their particular concerns. I recognize that balancing school and the demands of life can be difficult whether you’re a first year student or a returning mature student. I view counselling as a collaborative process where we can work together to understand the struggles and find solutions. My areas of interest include eating disorders, depression, anxiety, grief and relationships.