For Dr. Rosina Mete, receiving the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s (CCPA) Counsellor Leadership Award was a milestone 13 years in the making.
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“I was overwhelmed with joy – I felt happy, proud and excited,” said Mete, Yorkville University’s Director of Scholarly and Mental Health Initiatives. “I thought, wow, this is full circle, as it’s been 13 years since I became a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the CCPA. So, this recognition from the national association is truly an honour.”
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Mete received the award during the CCPA’s 2026 Annual Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which ran from May 29-31. She was in Halifax for five days, during which time she was part of the Yorkville contingent at the conference booth and networking events, and also attended the Counsellor Educators and Supervisors Chapter event, where she had the honour of presenting the Doctoral Dissemination Award to recent Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy graduate Lisa Porter.
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The CCPA Counsellor Leadership Award Mete took home recognizes excellence in provincial or national leadership that advances the counselling and psychotherapy profession through scholarship, advocacy, professional service and innovation. Mete said accepting the award in a room filled with colleagues and peers from across Canada was both memorable and affirming.
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“It was surreal, but at the same time it was a great reflection of all my hard work,” she said. “I heard cheering from Yorkville colleagues, as well as colleagues from other institutions and counselling organizations, which added to the experience. There was music to accompany award winners across the stage, which felt very apropos. And then the presenter, after she introduced me, also told me to really soak in the accomplishment, which was so validating.”
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From Clinician to Academic Leader
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A Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor, Mete has built a career spanning clinical practice, research, teaching and academic leadership. Since joining Yorkville University in 2022, she has served in several senior academic roles, including Director of Faculty Recruitment and Training, Interim Chair of the Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy program and, most recently, Director of Scholarly and Mental Health Initiatives.
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Her research and publications span counsellor education, supervision, chronic illness, well-being, and interdisciplinary collaboration – all with a consistent emphasis on translating research into practice. Alongside her academic work, she has also remained actively involved in professional organizations and mental health advocacy initiatives across Canada, including the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
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Those contributions, Dr. Jill Foley noted in her nomination letter, reflect a leader whose impact extends well beyond the classroom.
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Foley, Yorkville University’s Director of Student Development and Engagement, highlighted Mete’s role in strengthening faculty onboarding and training, supporting doctoral students through advanced research milestones, and contributing to national dialogue on counsellor education and ethical practice.
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“Dr. Mete’s career reflects sustained excellence in scholarship, professional service and educational leadership, along with a strong commitment to advancing the counsellor educator and practitioner identity in Canada,” she wrote.
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A Foundation in Research
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Mete said the leadership qualities recognized by the CCPA have been shaped in her by a combination of scholarship, service and a commitment to lifelong learning.
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“But I would say research has always been the foundation of my leadership philosophy, which combines transformational and servant leadership with a democratic lens,” she said.
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“Having a clear vision and fostering innovation has assisted me in contributing to research literature, as well as collaborating with others and contributing to the community – really, specifically, leading with courage, authenticity, and awareness.”
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At the same time, she also credits her experiences as a clinician and educator with shaping her approach to leadership – and points to a classic literary touchstone to sum it up.
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“I have learned so much from my clients, my students and my colleagues,” she said. “I would say authenticity helps to promote respect, communication and honesty. And I know this is a literature quote, but it still rings true: ‘This above all, to thine own self be true.’ An authentic leader is key.”
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Defining the Canadian Counselling Identity
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The CCPA Counsellor Leadership Award also recognizes Mete’s efforts to strengthen the identity of counsellors and counsellor educators in Canada. She currently serves as President of the CCPA’s Counsellor Educators and Supervisors (CES) Chapter and has become a strong advocate for defining and advancing the role of counsellor educators nationwide.
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“When I was first starting out as a counsellor, the Canadian counselling identity was not well defined and was often compared with that of other countries,” she said. “However, we have distinct qualities, features and regulation in Canada.”
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As counselling and psychotherapy continue to evolve – including amid increased regulation of the profession nationwide – Mete believes counsellor education has an increasingly important role to play. She recently co-authored a journal article with Yorkville colleague Dr. Cindi Saj, published in the January 2026 edition of the Canadian Journal of Career Development, examining the transition from counsellor to counsellor educator and offering strategies for developing a personal teaching philosophy from clinical practice.
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Scholarship in Action
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Beyond her advocacy work, Mete remains deeply engaged in research and scholarship. As one of Yorkville University’s inaugural Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Scholars, she is currently leading a grant-funded study with Dr. Stacey Hatch examining teaching and learning in online doctoral counsellor education, while collaborating with students and alumni on a range of projects touching on AI and mental health, stigma reduction and ADHD interventions.
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“There are so many opportunities,” Mete said of her current role. “I’m looking forward to learning more about facilitators and barriers in teaching and learning, while continuing to collaborate with students, alumni and colleagues on research that contributes to the profession.”
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Dr. Tamara Dalrymple, Dean of Yorkville University’s Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program, echoed that sentiment in her own nomination letter, noting that Mete’s work “continues to bridge research and practice in meaningful ways” and highlighting her sustained professional service and advocacy for a strong counsellor identity in Canada.
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A Lasting Impact
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For Mete, the CCPA Counsellor Leadership Award is ultimately a recognition of years spent advocating for the profession, contributing to mental health research and helping develop the next generation of counsellors.
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“Much of my involvement in research related to mental health and counselling is to mindfully contribute to the field, address gaps in the literature and prominently feature Canadian voices to further support counselling identity and advocacy,” she said.
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She also credits the mentors, supervisors, educators and colleagues who have influenced her journey – not just for what they taught her, but for how they taught her to make the learning her own.
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“When I think of the standout mentors in my life, I had people who I learned from in clinical supervision and in academia, but I also had people who really encouraged me to take that learning and go further with it – to make it my own, to put my voice on it, to bring my voice to it,” she said. “And that’s really what I see as being a mentor.”
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Looking ahead, Mete hopes her work will continue to advance awareness, reduce stigma and strengthen evidence-based practice throughout the counselling and psychotherapy profession.
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“I strongly believe that education and awareness will help to eradicate stigma regarding mental health counselling and mental illness – and evidence-based practices will contribute to that,” she said. “That’s the kind of impact I’m hopeful people will take from my work.”
