Master of Counselling programs while living in the East or West Kootenay's

Looking at taking a masters level program in counselling while living in the East or West Kootenay's? Then these are some programs worth checking out. (This is not a ranking, for information only)

Gonzaga University
I will note that I am biased to this program, as A) I am a Gonzaga fan and B) this is the program that I graduated from. This course is site based, meaning travel is required to where-ever the site is for the cohort. For example, the site has been in Calgary, Lethbridge, Nelson and Cranbrook. The courses are typically every other weekend during the fall, winter and spring. During the summer, there is a month long intensive residency in Spokane, WA. which is a beautiful city.

Pros: The program is face-to-face with your professors and classmates. With classes on the weekend, you can still work full-time.

Cons: Payment is in US funds. When the Canadian dollar dips, this program becomes very expensive

University of Victoria
While there is the option to do the program on campus, the other two deliveries are: three summers or two summers with online material. The summer courses start in July and run until mid-August, roughly six weeks of residency work. The intakes for these two deliveries are regular, but not every year.

Pros: Program is face-to-face. With the two summers, there is the balance with online course work. With summer programming, if you work in the school system, this is a perfect fit.

Cons: Finding six weeks to take off work during the summer may be difficult for some. Travelling and living costs in Victoria can be pricey.

Athabasca University
All programs at Athabasca are online based. This counselling program offers different streams: Art, Counselling Psychology, and School Counselling. There is also a course-based or thesis-based approach to the programs. While online delivery is the focus, there is a summer residency component.

Pros: Online delivery means optimal flexibility for the student.

Cons: Minimal face-to-face, one summer, meaning that whoever your practicum supervisor is may greatly influence your face-to-face experience of the program.

Yorkville University
This program is purely online based for course work. It is still a new developing program, but is recognized by most provincial student loan programs, so that means there is legitimacy to this purely online school. Vintage counsellor's will tell you there is no place for an online program in a profession that is all about people contact. However, this program relies heavily on the practicum experience and your practicum supervisor.

Pros: Online delivery means a lot of flexibility for the student.

Cons: Your practicum experience in this program is weighted heavier than others, and is up to your practicum supervisor (who is not a paid faculty member).

Practicum Note
Practicum experiences make or break any counselling program. So be sure to research and interview your practicum supervisor. Especially make sure that their credentials meet the basic requirements for a practicum supervisor in the professional body you want to be certified in, because at times there is in-congruence between counselling program and professional body. One last note, is that while it may be easy and simple to do a practicum at your place of employment, consider all ethical dilemma's for you, your supervisor and especially your client.

Good luck in your research!

A full list of programs available in Canada are listed on the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association website.

Top Family-Fun Xbox One Games

Now time for a top Family-Fun list with a modern generation console, the weirdly named: Xbox One. If you just got this console, these are some games to check out. But please don't go out and buy this console for these games, as they may be available on other systems (Wii, WiiU, PS3, PS4, or Xbox 360)

Honorable Mention. Star Wars Battlefront

If your a Star Wars house like mine is, any Star Wars game is a favourite. But there is something about the detail and the maps in this game that "feels" real. There is a split screen option where you can battle against each other or you can fight the Empire together in a survival mode.

5. Minecraft

Minecraft is a bottomless pit, even in the split screen option. There are new skins and mods being released all the time. This allows for complete creativity in building your own world together, or even just exploring the world together.

4. Lego Marvel Super Heroes

An open Marvel world to explore as little lego figurines. Complete the main conquest together or do side missions, or just spend your time exploring, it's up to you and your family.

3. Disney Infinity 3.0

This is Disney's version of Minecraft, with figurines. While 2.0 is an excellent option in place of 3.0, 3.0 is better for two reasons: Star Wars (of course), and better toy box and mission play. What they were trying to do in 2.0 is done better in 3.0. Not to mention figurines from 1.0 and 2.0 work in 3.0. If I may issue a warning, that's where this game gets very costly. Each new character runs from $10-17.

2. Just Dance

I think this one is self explanatory, just dance with your family. Record what you do, add silly faces, and so on. Again, 2016 is shared here, 2015 or earlier do the exact same, just different songs.

1. Kinect Sports Rivals

There is just something about using your whole body with the kinect to control the player on the screen. You can create your family using the scan feature and then play games together, or you can use the preset characters. Bowling and rock climbing are popular in our house.

Have fun!

Top Family-Fun Nintendo 64 Games

The past "Top" posts (Christmas albums and Super Nintendo) have had five items, but this one has seven because I had a tough time narrowing down my picks for the Top Family-Fun N64 Games.

7. 1080 Snowboarding

If you live somewhere where it is too cold to be outside or there isn't snow, you can strap on the snowboard boots and race each other down different slopes. Compete to finish first or who ever can do the fanciest tricks.

6. Mario Kart

Shifting from two players on SNES to four on N64 adds more family competition with a lot more fun in the battle and race modes.

5. Bomber Man 64

While you can have fun in the story, this game is best played as a multi-player. While the competition will always be four players, made up of AI's or humans, it is a lot of fun to be able to figure out the right patterns to drop or throw bombs to be able to win the match.

4. Super Smash Bros

Choose your favourite Nintendo franchise character and duke it out with your family who has picked their fav character.

3. Star Fox

Take your family rivalry into the air or in space and battle each other as one of the Star Fox characters. No point in being bound by ground when you can soar in the skies!

2. Golden Eye 007

Take game rating into account with this one as blood does ooze down the screen when you die. However, this game is alone responsible for the multiplayer shoot 'em up games, it is so revolutionary. Battle each other or in groups of 3 or 4. Set the style of the game, secret weapon, choose a map, and attack away.

1. Mario Party

Any of the Mario Party games would do, some say Mario Party 2 is better than the first because Nintendo built on it. This board game like game with mini challenges is an excellent leveling field for those who game a lot to those who don't at all, as the game is a combo of board game and mini-game strategy. Choose one of your fav Super Mario characters and roll away.

***Note: Again as with the Super Nintendo recommendations, I recommend these games and the console as overall they would be cheaper than buying a current generation console.***

Top Family-Fun Super Nintendo Games

While I do enjoy playing video games on my own, it is much more enjoyable playing with my kids. And there is some research showing that the parent-child relationship can be enhanced when gaming together. Plus, gaming together can help teach gaming in moderation.

So with that in mind, I wanted to share the Top 5 SNES Games that families can play together (or against each other):

5. NHL 96

Any of the NHL series on SNES is a good pick. NHL 96 is when they started getting the create-a-player and roster moves done right. So create yourself, grab a couple of favourite players, put them on one team and play against each other.

4. Mario All-Stars

While Super Mario World is a great game, there is just something about playing the amped up NES Mario Bros. games on the SNES. Take turns in Mario Bros. or battle together in Mario Bros. 3.

3. NBA Jam

Instead of playing basketball formally, liven up the fun with arcade dunks and moves as you battle two-on-two. The graphics and the creativity make for a family fun rivalry.

2. Turtles in Time

If you have the controller expansion you can have to four playing. If not, two of you work together as the Ninja Turtles fight their way to save April. It's a great Co-op game.

1. Super Mario Kart

Race against each other in time trials or in one of the three cups. Or to increase the intensity, battle it out. Or do what I do with my kids, hold down the fort in 2nd place so they can get first and we can finish 1-2 in the races.

***Note: While new gaming consoles are $500+ with new games. With the proper shopping you could pick up a SNES console with controllers and a couple of the above games for $200 or less. Much more affordable family fun***

My Top 5 Favourite Christmas Albums

Happy/Merry Christmas!

One of mine and my wife's goals over our marriage was to increase our Christmas music library selection. - We have, and I'd like to share my favourite Christmas albums that we have accumulated.

In no particular order. Here they are:

Elvis Presley - Christmas Duets

Meaghan Smith - It Snowed

Eclipse - It's Christmas Time

Josh Groban - Noel

Paul Brandt - A Gift

Documentary: The Porn Pandemic: The Devastating Effects on Children, Family and Society

Noting that this video is produced by Family Watch Internation, a conservative family advocacy group. Also noting that Sex Addiction is not in the DSM 5, but that Pornography may be a reason behind some sexual dysfunction disorders in DSM 5. Overall, something to be aware of.

The Decline of Play and Rise in Children's Mental Disorders

A recent article by Peter Gary in Psychology Today discussed the rise of mental disorders amongst children correlating with the decline in play.

Pieces that stick out to me is that there is an increase in anxiety or depression in someone's life when they feel a loss of control in their life. I'd tie this to over-scheduling because children have no control over the activity or timing of it.

The other part was that children's goal making skills are now extrinsic instead of intrinsic. The idea that something external, such as a money, is more motivating than intrinsic, I want to do this because I feel good about it.

Do be aware when you read the article, there is a plug for his recent book, Free to Learn. Makes you wonder if the motivation for the book/article is intrinsic or extrinsic?