Program Overview

Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being

The Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being offers various programs and certificates, including the Positive Psychology and Education Certificates, Mental Health Crisis Response Education and Applied Training Program, and Police Supervisor Certificate.

Positive Psychology and Education Certificates

The Positive Psychology and Education Certificates are designed to empower individuals, teams, and organizations to thrive. The certificates focus on facilitating positive change and building thriving workplaces.

Instructors

The instructors for the Positive Psychology and Education Certificates include:

• Meghan Kirwin (MSc, MBA, CAPP), who has completed a Masters of Science in Applied Positive Psychology and a Master of Business Administration from Laurier.
• Patrice Palmer (BA, BEd, MA, MEd), who has taught students from ages 8 to 80 in various settings and has completed Laurier's certificates in Positive Psychology and Positive Education.
• Heidi Smith (RD, BSc.), who is a Registered Dietitian and mindfulness facilitator with over 25 years of experience consulting for individuals and organizations.
• Paul Fairlie (PhD), who is a consultant, researcher, speaker, and expert in work psychology with over 25 years of experience in organizational, market, and opinion research and consulting.
• Elizabeth K. Misener (PhD, LMSW), who is a professor, executive coach, leadership trainer, mental health social worker, and co-founder of Vitality at Work.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being is developed by experts in the field, including:

Sajel Bellon (BA, MA, EdD)

Sajel Bellon is a Human Science Professor, Psychotherapist, and the Founder of Mind Armour & SOS Psychotherapy. She is driven to "un-stigmatize" the suicidal mind and build beyond resiliency to post-traumatic growth.

Esther Abel (MSc, MA, PhD candidate)

Esther Abel is a PhD candidate in Social Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, focusing on individual differences in attitudes and opinions regarding happiness and well-being.

Judy Eaton (PhD)

Judy Eaton is an associate professor of Psychology at the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier University, conducting research in the area of positive psychology since 2000.

Simon Coulombe (PhD)

Simon Coulombe is an assistant professor of Psychology at the Waterloo campus of Wilfrid Laurier University, with a PhD in Community Psychology and research interests in positive psychology and environmental psychology.

Research Areas

The research areas for the Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being include:

• Positive psychology
• Mental health and wellness
• Crisis response and intervention
• Police supervision and leadership
• Community psychology and environmental psychology

Faculty Advisors

The faculty advisors for the Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being include:

• Judy Eaton (PhD)
• Simon Coulombe (PhD)