Dr. Deborah Foster

Dr. Deborah Foster as a Registered Social Worker in Alberta and has been working as an individual and family therapist, adult educator, and group facilitator for almost 40 years. She has taught at four Universities, three Community Colleges, and two Indigenous Colleges, as well as done over 1000 professional, community, and conference presentations and over 30 peer reviewed publications on a wide range of topics. She has sat on numerous boards and committees including three Research Ethics Boards, and the Federal Ministerial Council on HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Foster is a community member of the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta has degrees in Psychology, Family Studies, and Human Ecology from McMaster University, University of Guelph, and University of Alberta. Her studies have focused on Relationships, Sexuality, Psychology, and Individual/Couple/Family/Sex Therapy using Solution-Focused, Trauma-Informed, Systemic, and Feminist approaches. In addition, she has Certificates in Management and Supervision Certificates from MacEwan University and the Banff School of Management.

She has worked extensively in the areas of sexuality, addictions, trauma, diversity, family & workplace issues, and violence. She believes that embracing a Strength-Based, Solution-Focused approach is the key to success for individuals, couples, and families to achieve a happy and productive life.

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Research interests

• Women's writing
• Indigenous literatures
• affect theory

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Educational credentials

• B.Sc.
• M.Sc.
• PhD

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Professional affiliations

• Marginalized families
• Sexual health and wellbeing
• Reproductive issues
• STI/HIV
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered issues
• Qualitative methods
• Technology in the face to face and virtual classrooms

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