Rae Harwood

Professional Qualifications:

Rae is a member in good standing with the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists. She is a Certified Professional Counsellor, and has held various leadership roles in this organization, both at the provincial and national level.

Rae’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Manitoba, a Master of Arts in Biblical Counselling from Providence Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Education in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University (Sarasota, Florida). Rae has completed the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program. She has provided educational courses and workshops in a variety of areas including Psychopharmacology, and Mental Health & Communication. For over 35 years, Rae taught in a variety of nursing programs, gaining experience in many theoretical areas such as Palliative Care, Gerontology, Pharmacology, and Counselling Skills for Nurses. During her time as a nursing educator, Ras worked closely with students who were experiencing anxiety and stress.

Rae’s private counselling practice includes working as a support to churches, and parachurch organizations. She has also worked with clients from the Department of Justice (Victim Services).

Rae’s Journey through Anxiety:

Although Rae never had a clinical diagnosis of anxiety, it was an almost constant companion for many years. As a young child, Rae experienced what is now termed “school anxiety”. She had a feeling of anxiety whenever she had to answer a question in class or write a test. Her heart would pound, she seemed to be short of breath, and she would begin to perspire. As a teen, this persisted, and even grew to a near-constant state of feeling like she was never enough. When there was an exam to be written, her heart would pound, her vision would blur, and she would breathe rapidly.

As a teenager and young adult, Rae had many times of anxiety, and Rae chose to pursue competence as a way to ease those anxious feelings. Rae never did feel that she was competent enough. Instead, she experienced times of fear, bordering on panic.

Rae completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree, got married, had 2 children, and walked these paths with anxiety as her companion. She didn’t experience severe panic attacks, but anxiety persisted. When she was studying for her Master’s degree in Counselling, Rae took the opportunity to meet with a Christian Counsellor for her own therapy. This was the beginning of her recovery journey. Perhaps the most valuable thing Rae gained was the knowledge that when she began to feel anxious, there were strategies that could help with this.

Following completion of the Master’s program, Rae began a small private counselling practice. In 2009 Rae graduated with a Doctor of Education in Counselling Psychology, and continued with her counselling practice, as well as a full-time position as an educator in Nursing programs.

Through this experience teaching in nursing education programs, Rae has worked with many students who experience anxiety. Because of her own journey, and her knowledge about anxiety and depression, Rae has been able to help these students in meaningful ways.

Rae and her husband of over 40 years are grandparents to 5 wonderful grandchildren, and currently reside in Winnipeg, MB.

It is Rae’s desire to walk alongside people through their journey, and hopefully offer to them hope that is found in God.