Robinder P. Bedi

Associate Professor

robinder.bedi@ubc.ca

604–822–4185

Office: Scarfe Library Block 295

Dr. Robinder (Rob) P. Bedi joined UBC and the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education on August 1, 2015 as a tenure track Assistant Professor in Counselling Psychology. Previous to this, he held a position as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Western Washington and as an assistant professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria.  He is a registered psychologist in British Columbia.

Scholarly Interests:

International/cross-cultural/multicultural counselling and psychotherapy (particularly with individuals of Punjabi Sikh descent); counselling/psychotherapy envisioned as Western cultural healing practices (particularly Frank and Frank’s Common Factors Model) professional issues in counselling psychology (particularly in Canada and in India);  cross-cultural/multicultural counselling/psychotherapy; and counselling/psychotherapy with men/masculinity.

Theoretical Orientation:

Solution-Focused
Narrative
Person-Centred
Cognitive-Behavioural
Awards
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Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award ($480,000 salary support), 2009

Senior Research Fellow, India Council for Cultural Relations, 2015

Green College Leading Edge Scholar, 2015

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Research or Professional Article Award, 2018

Canadian Psychological Association Section on Counselling Psychology Distinguished Member Award, 2020

Killam Laureate, 2022

Community Engagement:
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Editorial Board Member (2018-2021, 2022-2025). Counseling Psychologist (journal of the Society of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association)

Organizing Committee Member (2016-2018). 2018 Canadian Counselling Psychology Conference: Advocating for ourselves, advocating for our communities — Canadian counselling psychology into the next decade and beyond.

Chair (2014-2016). Counselling Psychology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association.

Chair-Elect (2013-2014). Counselling Psychology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association.

Co-Chair (2006 to 2010). Executive Committee on the Definition of Canadian Counselling Psychology (an ad hoc committee of the CPA Section of Counselling Psychology).

Courses Taught
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CNPS 564 Group Counselling

CNPS 594 Cross-Cultural Counselling

CNPS 595 Substance Abuse Counselling

CNPS 678 Theoretical Perspectives in Counselling Psychology

Education
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University of British Columbia, 2005, PhD, Counselling Psychology

Simon Fraser University, 2001, MA, Counselling Psychology

Simon Fraser University, 1998, BA (Hons.), Psychology

Chemical Dependency Services, Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre, San Rafael, California, 2006, Post-doctoral clinical residency

Research Projects
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Killam Faculty Research Fellowship
2022 (Killam Trusts and the University of British Columbia)
The award is based on special distinction of intellect with due regard for sound character and personal qualities. Up to ten fellowships are awarded annually. 
Project: How to Culturally Adapt Mental Health Counselling for Individuals of South Asian Indian Descent: A Grounded Theory Study
$18,000 ($15,000 salary award + $3,000 research/travel allowance)

Flexible Funding Program
2022 (Heterodox Academy)
To support work that puts the Heterodox Academy mission into practice
Project: “Confronting Hegemonic Ideas” Speakers Series
$2368 USD

SSHRC Explore
2021-2022 (University of British Columbia Faculty of Education)
To maintain or strengthen research capacity and research excellence in the social sciences and humanities. The primary goal is to support high-quality humanities and social sciences research by providing small funds to support early stage research activities that will lead to the development of external research funding applications.
Project: Can Counseling Be Considered a EuroWestern Traditional Healing Practice?
$6460

Jacqueline Farquhar Endowment for Children’s Mental Health
2021-2022 (University of British Columbia Faculty of Education)
Specifically designed to carry on her passion for enhancing schools’ capacity to identify and respond to students struggling with depression and anxiety. The primary goals are to translate completed research into accessible forms that community stakeholders and educators can utilize, disseminate and take into the classroom and/or community with a goal of impacting practice
Project: Roots of Safety: A Culturally Safe Approach to Support Immigrant/Refugee Women and Children Survivors of Domestic Violence – Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination to Community Stakeholders.
$4508

Insight Grant
2020-2025 (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council)
Supports research excellence in the social sciences and humanities. Enables scholars to address complex issues about individuals and societies, and to further our collective understanding.
Project: The Role of Hope in Promoting the Career Development of Individuals with a History of Substance Disorder after Treatment (co-applicant José F. Domene)
$145,337

UBC-UW Collaborative Research Mobility Program Grant
2020-2022 (University of British Columbia and University of Washington)
Facilitates research collaborations between faculty member at the two universities.
Project: Towards Identification and Reduction of Discrimination Experienced by South Asian Muslim and Sikh Immigrants
$8050 Canadian dollars + $7189 US dollars (in total: equivalent to $18,116 Canadian)

Community-University Engagement Support Fund
2019-2022 (University of British Columbia)
Designed to foster and support community-university engagements with diverse communities by offsetting non-research related costs for community partners collaborating with or seeking to collaborate with UBC partners on research, teaching or learning projects.
Project: Creating Program Evaluation (and Research) Infrastructure: Translating and
Validating Clinical Counselling Assessment Tools (co-applicant DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society)
$23,786

Gender-Based Violence: Promising Practices to Support Survivors and their Families Program
2019-2022 (Status of Women Canada)
A call for for projects addressing gaps in supports for specific groups of survivors in Canada (including Indigenous women and their communities, and underserved populations)
Project: Mainstreaming Culture in Safety Planning for Survivors of Violence and their Children: The Impact of the Signs of Safety Model on the Cultural Safety of Vulnerable Immigrant and Refugee Women and Children Experiencing Domestic Violence (principal applicant: DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society)
$600,000

American Psychological Association Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy Charles J. Gelso, Ph.D., Psychotherapy Research Grant
2018-2023
Project: How to Culturally Adapt Psychotherapy in India in Service of Reducing International Disparities in Psychotherapy Outcome.
$5000 USD

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant
2018-2022
Project: Possible Selves: Investigating the Nature and Extent of Identity Change for Individuals with a History of Alcohol Addiction (co-investigator: Dr. David Kealy, University of British Columbia)
$58,505

Please visit my RTS Lab web-site for more information [click this]

Please visit my Facebook page for the latest information on lab accomplishments [click this]

The lab also has a YouTube channel [click this]

Selected Publications
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Counselling Psychology Professional Issues

Bedi, R. P., & Pradhan, K. (in press). Differences between Canadian Psychological Association Non-Member and Member Counseling Psychologists. The Counseling Psychologist.

Douce, T. B., & Bedi, R. P. (2022). Evaluating and applying to a counseling psychology PhD program: Importance and Influence of various decision variables. North American Journal of Psychology, 24(1), 101-126.

Bedi, R. P., Pradhan, K., Kroc, E., & Bhatara, M. (2021). Characteristics of counselling psychology and counselling psychologists in India: A larger scale replication of a nationwide survey. Psychological Studies, 66 (1), 1-13.

Bedi, R. P., Domene, J. F., Kassan, A., & Wada, K. (2020). Advocating for ourselves, advocating for our communities: Canadian counselling psychology into the next decade and beyond. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 54(4), 564-571. http://dx.doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v54i4.70657

Wada, K., Kassan, A., Domene, J. F., Bedi, R. P., Kintzel, F., & West, A. M. (2020). The future of counselling psychology education and training in Canada: A post-conference reflection. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 54(4), 572-594. http://dx.doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v54i4.70773

Bedi, R. P., Christiani, K. D., & Sinacore, A. L. (2020). A survey of the characteristics and professional practices of members in the Canadian Psychological Association’s Section on Counselling Psychology. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 33, 245-263.

Bedi, R. P. Thomas, P., Sandhu, D., & Jain, S. (2020). Survey of counselling psychologists in India. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 33, 100-120.

Pradhan, K. & Bedi, R. P(2019). What do Canadian counselling psychologists who are not affiliated with the Canadian Psychological Association Think? Results from a national survey of the profession. In A. Kassah, J.F. Domene, K. Wada, & R. P. Bedi (Eds.), Selected Proceeding from the Canadian Counselling Psychology Conference 2018 (pp. 110-132). Calgary: University of Calgary. Retrieved from: https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/111438

Bedi, R. P., Thomas, A., & Giannone, Z. (2019). Strengths of Canadian counselling psychology doctoral programs. North American Journal of Psychology, 21, 293-304

Bedi, R. P. Christiani, K., & Cohen, J. (2018). The next generation of Canadian counselling psychologists. Counselling Psychology Review, 33, 46-56.

Bedi, R., P., Christiani, K., & Cohen, J. (2018). The future of Canadian counselling psychology:  Doctoral students. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 31, 205-222.

Bedi, R. P. (2016). A descriptive examination of Canadian counselling psychology doctoral programs. Canadian Psychology, 57, 83-91. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000047

Bedi, R. P., Sinacore, A., & Christiani, K. (2017). Counselling psychology in Canada. In R. K. Goodyear & J. W. Lichtenberg (Eds.), A global portrait of counselling psychology (pp. 34-46). New York: Routledge.

Bedi, R. P., Sinacore, A. & Christiani, K. D. (2016). Counselling psychology in Canada. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 29, 150-162. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2015.1128398

Goodyear, R., Lichtenberg, J., Hutman, H., Overland, E., Bedi, R. P…..Young, Charles (2016). A global portrait of counselling psychologists’ characteristics, perspectives, and professional behaviors. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 29, 115-138.

Domene, J. D., & Bedi, R. P. (2013). Counseling and psychotherapy in Canada: Diversity and growth. In R. Moodley, U. P. Gielen, & R. Wu (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy in an international context (pp. 106-116). New York: Routledge.

Bedi, R. P., Klubben, L. M., & Barker, G. T. (2012). Counselling vs. clinical: A comparison of psychology doctoral programs in Canada. Canadian Psychology, 53, 238-253. doi: 10.1037/a0028558.

Haverkamp, B. E., Robertson, S. R., Cairns, S. L., & Bedi, R. P. (2011). Professional issues in Canadian counselling psychology: Identity, education, and professional practice. Canadian Psychology, 52, 256-264. doi: 10.1037/a0025214.

Bedi, R. P., Haverkamp, B. E., Beatch, R., Cave, D. G., Domene, J. F., Harris, G. E., & Mikhail, A. (2011). Counselling psychology in a Canadian context: Definition and description. Canadian Psychology, 52, 128-138. doi: 10.1037/a0023186

Beatch, R., Bedi, R.P., Cave, D., Domene, J.F., Harris, G.E….Mikhail, A. (2009, December). Counselling psychology in a Canadian context: Final report from the Executive Committee for a Canadian Understanding of Counselling Psychology (Report). Ottawa, ON: Counselling Psychology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association.

Bedi, R.P., & Domene, J.F. (2008). Counseling, definition of. In F.T. Leong (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Counseling (pp. 119-120)Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Counselling/Psychotherapy Envisioned as Western Cultural Healing Practices

Bedi, R. P. & Bassi, M. (2020). A fallacy of the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme and Intervention Guide: Counseling and psychotherapy are also (western) indigenous/traditional healing methods. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 22 (1), 187-199.

Wampold, B. E. & Bedi, R. P. (2020). The contextual model of clinical counselling and psychotherapy: Integrating common factors and specific treatment outcomes. BC Psychologist, 9, 10-14.

Bedi, R. P. (2018). Racial, ethnic, cultural, and national disparities in counseling and psychotherapy outcome are inevitable but eliminating global mental health disparities with indigenous healing is not. Archives of Scientific Psychology, 6, 96–104.

International/Cross-Cultural/Multicultural Psychology, Counselling, and Psychotherapy

Alexander, A. J., Khera, G. S., & Bedi, R. P. (2021). Bicultural identity and self-construal in-family among Indian American emerging adults: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Adult Development, 28, 1-14.

Currie, L. N., & Bedi, R. P. (2019). Integrating traditional healing methods into counselling and psychotherapy witih Punjabi and Sikh Individuals. In A. Kassah, J.F. Domene, K. Wada, & R. P. Bedi (Eds.), Selected Proceeding from the Canadian Counselling Psychology Conference 2018 (pp. 1-14). Calgary: University of Calgary. Retrieved from: https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/111438

Cardona, B., Bedi, R. P., & Crookston, B. J. (2019). Choosing love over tradition: Lived experiences of Asian Indian marriages. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 27, 278-286.

Bedi, R. P. (2018). Culturally-adapted counselling and psychotherapy. BC Psychologist, 7, 13-15.

Bedi, R. P., & Shergill, A. P. (2017). Counselling and psychotherapy with Punjabi Sikhs: Socio-cultural considerations. BC Psychologist, 6, 14-17.

Bedi, R. P., & Rogers, K. (2016). Love marriage in Punjab, India: A pilot study. Indian Journal of Psychology, 3, 52-59.

Bedi, R. P., & Domene, J. D. (2015). Canada: The case of Kamalpreet. Therapy without borders: International and cross-cultural case studies (pp. 141-148)American Counseling Association: Washington, DC.

Domene, J. D., & Bedi, R. P. (2013). Counseling and psychotherapy in Canada: Diversity and growth. In R. Moodley, U. P. Gielen, & R. Wu (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy in an international context (pp. 106-116). New York: Routledge.

Counselling/Psychotherapy with Men/Masculinity

Springer, K., & Bedi, R. P. (2021). Why do men drop out of counseling/psychotherapy? An enhanced critical incident technique analysis of male clients’ experiences. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 22, 776-786.

Bedi, R. P., Young, C. N., Davari, J. A., Springer, K., & Kane, D. P. (2016). A content analysis of gendered research in the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 50, 365-383.

Richards, M., & Bedi, R. P. (2015). Gaining perspective: How men describe incidents damaging the therapeutic alliance. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 16, 170-182. doi: 10.1037/a0036924

Hoover, S. M., Bedi, R. P., & Beall, L. K. (2012). Frequency of scholarship on counselling males in the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 46, 292-297.

Bedi, R. P., & Richards, M. (2011). What a man wants: The male perspective on therapeutic alliance formation. Psychotherapy, 48, 381-390. doi: 10.1037/a00224424.

Counselling/Psychotherapy Processes and Outcomes

Jordan, D. J., & Bedi, R. P. (2021). Addiction recovery as transformative learning: Identity change in men who participated in residential treatment. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 55, 4, 462-483.

Bedi, R. P., & Hayes, S. (2021). CBT’S hegemony: A house of cards? BC Psychologist, 10(1), 23-27.

Bedi, R. P., & Hayes, S. (2019). Clients’ perspectives on, experiences of, and contributions to the working alliance: Implications for clinicians. In J. Fuertes (Ed.), Working alliance skills for mental health professionals (pp. 111-136). Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.

Bedi, R. P., & Duff, C. T. (2014). Client as expert: A Delphi poll of clients’ subjective experience of therapeutic alliance formation variables. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 1, 1-18. doi:10.1080/09515070.2013.857295

Simpson, A. J., & Bedi, R. P. (2012). The therapeutic alliance: Clients’ categorization of client-identified factors. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 46, 344-366.

Bedi, R. P., Cook, M. C., & Domene, J. F. (2012). The university student perspective on factors that hinder the counseling alliance. College Student Journal, 46, 350-361.

Duff, C.T., & Bedi, R.P. (2010). Counsellor behaviors that predict therapeutic alliance formation: From the client’s perspective. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 23, 91-110. doi: 10.1080/09515071003688165

Bedi, R.P., & Alexander, D.A. (2009). Using multivariate concept-mapping for examining client understandings of counselling. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 43, 76-91.

Bedi, R.P., & Duff, C.T. (2009). Prevalence of counselling alliance type preferences across two samples. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 43, 150-164.

Bedi, R.P. (2006). Concept-mapping the client’s perspective on counseling alliance formation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 26-35. doi: 10.1037/0022-0167.53.1.26

Bedi, R.P., Davis, M.D., & Williams, M. (2005). Critical incidents in the formation of the therapeutic alliance from the client’s perspective. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 42, 311-323. doi: 10.1037/0033-3204.42.3.311

Bedi, R.P., Davis, M.D., & Arvay, M.A. (2005). The client’s perspective on counselling alliance formation and implications for research on counsellor training. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 39, 71-85.

Bedi, R.P., & Horvath, A.O. (2004). The perceived relative strength of the therapeutic alliance: Perceptions of own and partner’s alliance and psychotherapeutic outcome in time-limited couples therapy. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 3, 65-80. https://doi.org/10.1300/j398v03n04_04

Bedi, R.P. (2004). The therapeutic alliance and the interface of career and personal counseling. Journal of Employment Counseling, 41, 126-135. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1920.2004.tb00886.x

Horvath, A.O., & Bedi, R.P. (2002).  The alliance. In J.C. Norcross (Ed.), Psychotherapy relationships that work: Therapist relational contributions to effective psychotherapy (pp. 37-69). New York: Oxford University Press.

Bedi, R.P. (2001).  Prescriptive psychotherapy: Alternatives to diagnosis.  Psychotherapy in Independent Practice, 2, 39-60. doi: 10.1300/j288v02n02_04

Substance Use

Bedi, R.P., & Barker, G.T. (2011). Washington laws and programs. In M.A.R. Kleiman, & J.E. Hawdon (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Drug Policy (pp. 842-845)Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412976961.n372

Bedi, R.P. (2009). Solution-focused therapy. In G.F. Fisher & N.A. Roget (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (pp. 843-845). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Bedi, R.P., & Duff, C.T. (2009). Substance abuse. In G.F. Fisher & N.A. Roget (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (866-869). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Bedi, R.P., & Winters, K.M. (2009). Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). In G.F. Fisher & N.A. Roget (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (pp. 62-64). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Bedi, R.P., & Wuitchik, N.G. (2009). Caffeine. In G.F. Fisher & N.A. Roget (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (pp. 151-152). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Chan, J.G., & Bedi, R.P. (2009). Family therapy/counseling. In G.F. Fisher & N.A. Roget (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (pp. 786-790). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Chan, J.G., & Bedi, R.P. (2009). Residential treatment. In G.F. Fisher & N.A. Roget (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (pp. 786-790). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Bedi, R.P., & Duff, C.T. (2008). Drug abuse. In N.J. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Psychology (pp. 279-285). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Other

Cardona, B., Farago, R., & Bedi, R. P. (in press). Teaching a sexuality counseling course: Counselors-in-training experience and implications for professional counseling programs. American Journal of Sexuality Education.

Hayes, S., Doucet, D., & Bedi, R. P. (2021). Students overcoming learned helplessness. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 55, 3, 334-362.

Bedi, R.P., & Rawdah, N. (2009). Career assessment. In B.T. Erford (Ed.), The ACA Encyclopedia of Counseling (pp. 67-70)Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

Bedi, R.P., Koopman, R.F., & Thompson, J.M. (2001).  The dimensionality of the Beck Depression Inventory-II and its relevance for tailoring the psychological treatment of women with depression.  Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 38, 306-318. doi: 10.1037/0033-3204.38.3.306

Bedi, R.P., Maraun, M.D., & Chrisjohn, R.D. (2001).  A multisample item response theory analysis of the Beck Depression Inventory-1A.  Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 33, 176-184. doi: 10.1037/h0087

Bedi, R.P. (1999).  Depression: An inability to adapt to one’s perceived life distress?  Journal of Affective Disorders, 54, 225-234. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0327(98)00196-7