Yolanda Watson

Yolanda is the Program Chair for the Social Work and Addiction Studies programs. She joined Bow Valley College in 2017 and has been in various roles an instructor, practicum coordinator and faculty supervisor for both programs.

Her professional experience includes clinical, frontline, and leadership roles. Yolanda has extensive experience working within interprofessional teams in the justice system, health care system, education system, and non-profit agencies in Alberta and British Columbia, primarily working with at-risk youth and with survivors of violence. Yolanda has also been a mental health coach for The Calgary Hitmen and other WHL teams.

Yolanda is a therapist in the community who specializes in trauma, mental health, and addictions. She has been a part of various research projects and has presented at conferences in Canada on topics regarding adverse impacts of childhood abuse on brain development, Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, trauma and domestic violence, and transformational leadership. She continues to work in the community as an advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

Yolanda holds a Bachelor of Criminal Justice (Hons) from Mount Royal University, Child and Youth Care certification from the CYCAA, and a Masters of Clinical Social Work from the University of Calgary, and is a registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers.