Sharon Lynn Cairns

Dr. Cairns started her career as a psychiatric nurse but then went on to complete her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manitoba. After working for a number of years in post-secondary counselling, Sharon joined the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary where she teaches graduate courses in counselling psychology and serves as Chair of Educational Studies in Counselling Psychology and as Graduate Program Director for Educational Psychology. Clinical interests include interpersonal violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders.

Dr. Cairns' research focuses on the nature of post-secondary counselling concerns. She has been tracking the trends in counselling concerns since 2005. Another branch of her research is in the area of program evaluation.

Current Projects:

Evaluation of the L.E.N.S. Program (Learners in Engaging Networked Settings), Rocky View School District.

Tracking Trends in Severity and Complexity of Counselling Issues, Unfunded project.

PhD Clinical Psychology
University of Manitoba

MA Clinical Psychology
University of Manitoba

BA (Hons) Psychology
University of Winnipeg

Dr. Cairns is active with the provincial College of Psychologists and with national associations including the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She served as Chair of the CPA Section on Counselling Psychology from 2008 to 2010.

• College of Alberta Psychologists, Member of the Hearing Tribunal/Complaint Review Committeer
• College of Alberta Psychologists, Panel Chair, Oral Examination Committee
• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Conference Planning Steering Committee

Haverkanp, Beth, Robertson, S., Cairns, S. L., Bedi, R. (2011). Professional issues in Canadian counselling psychology: Identity, education, and professional practice. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, Vol 52(4), 256-264. doi: 10.1037/a0025214.

Nordstokke, David W., Zumbo, Bruno D., Cairns, Sharon L., Saklofske, Donald H. (2011). The operating characteristics of the nonparametric Levene test for equal variances with assessment and evaluation data. Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 16(5), 1-8. Available online: http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=16&n=5.

Cairns, S. L., Massfeller, H., & Deeth, S. C. (2010). Why do post-secondary students seek counselling? Canadian Journal of Counselling, 44, 34-50.

Nielsen, K., & Cairns, S. (2009). Social anxiety and close relationships: A hermeneutic phenomenological study. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 43, 178 - 197.

Cairns, S. (2006). Why do our students go to counselling? Communique, 7, 19-21.

• Canadian Association of College and University Student Services Award of Service
• Canadian Association of College and University Student Services Life Membership
• Canadian University and College Association Award of Service
• Outstanding New Professional Award, Alberta Student Services
• Morgan W. Wright Clinical Psychology Practicum Prize

• Courses