Associate Professor, Director of CNPS PhD Program
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:
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:
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
Canadian Psychological Association Fellow, 2023
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).
CNPS 564 Group Counselling
CNPS 594 Cross-Cultural Counselling
CNPS 595 Substance Abuse Counselling
CNPS 678 Theoretical Perspectives in Counselling Psychology
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
Counselling Psychology Professional Issues
Bedi, R. P., & Pradhan, K. (2023). Differences between Canadian Psychological Association non-member and member counseling psychologists. The Counseling Psychologist, 51(2), 180-209. DOI: 10.1177/00110000221136218.
Bedi, R.P. (2022). Counselling psychology in BC? A data-based profile of the profession. BC Psychologist, 11 (2), 12-15.
Bedi, R. P., & Bhatara, M. (2022). Characteristics of counselling psychology and counselling psychologists in Punjab, India. Indian Journal of Health and Well-being, 13(3), 410-415.
Bedi, R. P., & Douce, T.B. (2022). What to change about the admission process for doctoral programmes in counselling psychology from the perspective of applicants. Psychreg, 6, 2, 125-138.
Bedi, R. P. (2022). Characteristics of counselling psychology and counselling psychologists in New Delhi. IAHRW International Journal of Social Sciences, 10(4), 482-486.
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
Ahn, J., Bedi, R. P., Choubisa, R., & Ruparel, N. (2024). Assessing psychotherapy as a western healing practice through prediction of help-seeking attitudes. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 37(1), 47-68.
Arguelles, F., & Bedi, R. P. (2023). Proof of concept of investigating psychotherapy as a western cultural healing practice: Assessing its prevalence in western versus non-western countries. World Cultural Psychiatry Research Review, 18(1), 24-44.
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
Outadi, A. O., & Bedi, R. P. (2024). Implicit bias against Muslim men attempting to access counseling or psychotherapy? A correspondence audit study examining aversive racism. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 11(1), 30-45.
Bedi, R. P., & Moscovitz, A. (2024). Aversive prejudice in counsellors and psychologists. BC Psychologist, 13(1), 12-15.Moscovitz, A., Bedi, R. P., & Outadi, A. O. (2023). Examination of perceived religion in Muslim women’s access to counseling and psychotherapy: An audit study. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 70(1), 30-40. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000644.
Bedi, R. P., Willman, T., & Douce, T. B. (2023). Religious and spiritual practices of a sample of BCPA-member psychologists. BC Psychologist, 12(1), 12-17.
Willman, T., Douce, T. B., & Bedi, R. P. (2023). Differences in religious and spiritual practices variables between Canadian counselors and psychologists. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 45(3), 229-246. https://doi.org/10.1177/00846724221141738.
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
Kumar, R. P., Bedi, R. P., & Lo, C. O. (2023). Possible masculinities: A grounded theory on how university men envision themselves in the future. Qualitative Psychology, 10(3), 435–451. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000261.
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
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
Bedi, R.P. (2001). Prescriptive psychotherapy: Alternatives to diagnosis. Psychotherapy in Independent Practice, 2, 39-60. doi: 10.1300/j288v02n02_04
Substance Use
Currie, L. N., Bedi, R. P., & Hubley, A. (2024). Psychometric evaluation of the Hope-Action Inventory in individuals with substance use issues. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 57(1), 30-46. DOI: 10.1080/07481756.2023.2185157
Fagan, M.J., Duncan, M.J., Bedi, R., Puterman, E., Leatherdale, S.T., & Faulkner, G. (2022). Physical activity and substance use among Canadian adolescents: Examining the moderating role of school connectedness. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.889987
Fagan, M. J., Duncan, M. J., Bedi, R. P., Puterman, E., Leatherdale, S. T., & Faulkner, G. (2023). The prospective association between physical activity and initiation of current substance use among adolescents: Examining the role of school connectedness. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 24, 100503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100503.
Currie, L., & Bedi, R.P. (2023). Developing norms for the Hope-Action Inventory with a substance misuse sample. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 22(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.53379/cjcd.2023.362
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., & 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
Bedi, R. P., & Cardona, B. (2024). Can a course on sexuality counseling increase empathy when working with sex- and gender-minoritized individuals? Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education, 5(1), 1-9.
Bedi, R. P., & Kumar, R. P. (2023). Reproducibility of PsycInfo searches across platforms. Canadian Psychology, 64(4), 279–289. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000365
Cardona, B., Farago, R., & Bedi, R. P. (2022). Teaching a sexuality counseling course: Counselors-in-training experience and implications for professional counseling programs. American Journal of Sexuality Education., 17, 3, 320-342.
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