Dene Shipowick

"I am passionate about helping individuals, groups and organizations find their inherent potential, create a vison for themselves and plot a course for achieving their goals."

Dene’s current approach in working with people is rooted in the solution-focused model, which helps him engage in positive, strength-based conversations with his clients and colleagues. He is also very interested in what makes a healthy community and has studied the process of community building for most of his life. He is excited about contributing to the process of creating a healthy academic community here at Selkirk College.

Previous Work History

Dene has worked as a school counsellor, school psychologist, family and individual counsellor and registered psychologist. He most recently completed his training as a professional coach with Erickson College International. He is originally from Red Deer, Alberta and has been living in Castlegar since the fall of 2019 where he worked as a mental health & substance use clinician. Additional work history includes: 10 years at Centennial Centre for Mental Health & Brain Injury in Ponoka, Alberta as a psychologist in the psychosocial rehabilitation program; eight years as a psychologist working with persons with developmental disabilities in Red Deer, Alberta; three years as director of counselling & career development at Burman University in Lacombe, Alberta; and seven years working for the school district in Kitimat, B.C. as a school counsellor and school psychologist.

Outside Interests

Dene enjoys many activities available here in the Kootenays which include hiking, skiing, biking, swimming, sailing, camping, live music and sitting around the evening campfire enjoying the company of friends. Also interested in Doukhobor history and outdoor building projects.