Ms. Berak Hussain
International Student Counsellor
Professional Designation: RP, CRPO, Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Education: M.Ed., Counselling
As the International Student Counsellor, Berak provides one-on-one counselling for both domestic, and international students. She also delivers a variety of psychoeducational workshop topics including Stress Management/Burnout, Exam Preparation, Pre-departure, and Incoming International Student Orientation. Berak develops social and psychological support programs and resources that address the unique needs of international students. She also co-facilitates the Working With Emotions Group and provides Critical Incident Group Debriefing. Berak represents Carleton University at conferences when presenting psychoeducational workshops, as well as, doing interviews on counselling and mental health for local media.
Berak uses an eclectic holistic approach that includes cultural counselling methods depending on the students ‘needs. With psychotherapy, Berak uses past career counselling/employment practices to help students reach their full potential finding their academic passion and career path. She uses elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Therapy (ITP), Brief Therapy, and Mindfulness practices, for a short term therapeutic model.
With over 14 years of psychotherapeutic, public speaking, and mental health advocacy experience, Berak provides compassionate supports, as well as, connecting students to local resources. She helps students manage culture shock and cultural transition struggles, cultural trauma, faith and race challenges. She also helps students with issues around, trauma; domestic abuse/violence, personal development, self-esteem, relationship, generational issues, anxiety, depression, stress, identity, career; grief, and loss in a supportive, collaborative, action-orientated, solution-based manner encouraging students to reach their full potential with the motto of “Inspire, Heal, Empower”.