As Yorkville University prepares to celebrate its Spring 2025 Convocation in Fredericton next month, we will be highlighting each of this year’s Student Graduate Speakers.
The speaker representing this year’s Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy (DCP) graduating class is Fr. Pishoy Samy Wasfy – a leader whose work bridges the worlds of clinical counselling, spiritual care, and academic scholarship.
A priest, clinical supervisor, consultant, and researcher, Fr. Wasfy brings over 14 years of experience to his practice. He is the founder and practicum program director of Cornerstone Family Counselling Services, a faith-based centre in Mississauga committed to culturally responsive and accessible mental health care. His doctoral research focused on interracial couple relationships within immigrant communities, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity and the complex realities of multicultural life.
A recent recipient of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s 2025 CES Doctorate Dissemination Award, Fr. Wasfy has presented nationally on topics such as supervision, self-care, and integrative approaches to therapy. As he crosses the convocation stage next month, he does so not only with distinction, but with a vision for systemic change in mental health education, delivery, and leadership.
Fr. Wasfy recently sat down to reflect on his academic journey, his motivations for pursuing Yorkville’s DCP program, and what lies ahead. Here’s what he had to say:
What brought you to Yorkville University? Where were you in your life/career when you decided to continue your studies with us?
When I applied to Yorkville University, I was serving as the Clinical Director at Cornerstone Family Counselling Services in Mississauga, Ontario. In this role, I provided individual, couple and family therapy, supervised emerging clinicians, and led several community-based mental health initiatives. I was also deeply engaged in pastoral ministry as an ordained priest in the Coptic Orthodox Church, offering spiritual care to individuals and families navigating life’s most complex challenges.
At that point in my career, I had over a decade of clinical and supervisory experience, but I felt a strong pull to deepen my scholarship and strengthen my leadership capacity – especially in areas such as program development, research-informed supervision, and the integration of mental health practices within multicultural and faith-based contexts. I was also committed to advancing the quality of training available to counsellors-in-training and saw the need for structures, evidence-based approaches to support practitioner well-being and resilience.
Yorkville University stood out for its commitment to practitioner-scholar developments, its flexible online learning model, and its rigorous yet accessible approach to doctoral education. I needed a program that would not only refine my clinical expertise but also equip me with the tools to engage in systemic change, influence policy, and contribute to the field through applied research. Yorkville provided that platform, allowing me to continue serving my community while engaging in meaningful academic work.
What made you decide to pursue your Doctor of Counselling & Psychotherapy?
The decision to pursue the DCP was both personal and professional. As someone who straddles the worlds of psychotherapy and pastoral ministry, I have long been passionate about fostering healing, resilience, and growth in individuals and communities – especially those facing marginalization due to cultural stigma, migration, or limited access to services.
I pursued the DCP to elevate my capacity to lead and to train others in delivering compassionate, competent, and culturally responsive care. I wanted to take a more intentional role in shaping the next generation of clinicians by offering high-quality supervision and developing programming that addresses the mental health needs of underserved populations.
The program also offered a unique opportunity to undertake applied research that directly informs practice. My Applied Scholarship Project – a systemic literature review on the implementation of self-care practices in the training and supervision of mental health professionals – was driven by years of observing how burnout, compassion fatigue, and lack of support, can undermine the developments of ethical and effective therapists. The DCP gave me the tools to explore these issues critically and propose concrete, evidence-informed strategies for real-world application.
What is the most important thing you’re taking away from your studies at Yorkville University?
The most valuable aspect of my Yorkville journey has been the seamless integration of academic rigour with real-world application. The program equipped me with advanced knowledge in areas such as program planning and evaluation, leadership, ethics and clinical supervision, all of which I’ve been able to immediately apply within my counselling center and community initiatives.
Equally transformative was the sense of connection I experiences with my professors and cohort members. Despite being an online program, the learning environment was deeply collaborative, intellectually stimulating, and personally enriching. I leave Yorkville with not only a stronger academic foundation, but with relationships and experiences that have broadened my professional worldview and affirmed the importance of lifelong learning.
What are your plans after graduation, both immediate and long term?
In the immediate term, I plan to implement the findings of my doctoral research by enhancing practicum supervision frameworks and launching structured, evidence-based self-care programs at Cornerstone Family Counselling Services. I will also continue to supervise and mentor counselling interns, helping to embed wellness and ethical practice into their professional identity from the outset.
In the long term, I aim to expand by contributions to the field through publishing and advocacy. I intend to publish both academic articles and faith-based reflections that explore the intersection of psychology, theology, and cultural identity. I also hope to contribute to policy-level initiatives that improve mental health accessibility, particularly for immigrant communities and religious minorities. Additionally, I remain committed to empowering the next generation of clinician-leaders through teaching, mentoring and community education.
If you offered one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would that be?
Enter this program with a clear sense of purpose and a heart open to transformation. The DCP journey is demanding, but every paper you write, every theory you wrestle with, and every insight you gain with shape you in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. Build meaningful relationships with your peers and professors and view each assignment not just as a task to complete, but as a tool to deepen your impact. Most importantly, stay grounded in the reason you chose this path: to bring healing, hope and professionalism to those you serve. Your dedication will carry you through and leave a legacy far beyond your years of study.
