Nick Astle, MAMFT

Adjunct Faculty in Counselling

 

Teaching Philosophy 

I believe that learning is a lifelong journey that is brought to life through practical application.  Because people learn in different ways, the richest teaching embraces a balance of experience, collaboration, reflection, and instruction to ensure every learner has an opportunity to find their path to growth.  Change is an almost-inevitable part of that process - sometimes that change is gradual, and sometimes it is transformative.  Learning is about much more than acquiring knowledge, which is why I believe that although shared knowledge is the essence of teaching, the best teachers are not simply those who know or share the most knowledge, but rather those who connect the most, who walk alongside students in their growth and inspire them.  Many of our favourite teachers have been the ones who have cared the most.

Background

I currently work as a Clinical Counsellor at Foundry Cariboo-Chilcotin in Williams Lake, BC.  At Foundry I work with adolescents and young adults aged 12-24 providing group counselling, individual counselling, and family counselling.  Before that, I was a co-vocational pastor in Clinton, BC for the past 18 years, serving as a Camp director for both Teen Camp and Kids Camp and as a teacher-on-call at the K-12 school.  My wife and I have two kids, and I love coaching them in hockey, and we enjoy paddleboarding at the nearby lakes, snowmobiling, and reading.

Education

MA in Marriage and Family Therapy - Briercrest Seminary (2025)

Research

Clergy Well-Being
Church conflict
Calling