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  • Dr Sonam Pelden

    Dr Sonam Pelden

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  • Academia.edu
    https://edithcowan.academia.edu/sonampelden
  • Academia.edu

Dr Sonam Pelden

Lecturer

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 5671
Email: s.pelden@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO4.103  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3224-0212

Dr Sonam is the Academic Lead for counselling discipline and Course Coordinator for the counselling and psychotherapy programs at the School of Arts and Humanities.

Current teaching

Counselling and psychotherapy theories for couples and families, psychotherapy research, culture and diversity in therapeutic practice, field placement units.

Background

Dr. Sonam Pelden is an academic leader, counsellor educator, and researcher with over 22 years of leadership and expertise in counselling education, training, curriculum development and research. As the Academic Lead for the Counselling Discipline and Course Coordinator for Counselling & Psychotherapy courses at Edith Cowan University (ECU), she plays a central role in shaping the direction of counselling education and advancing the academic rigor of the programs under her leadership. Dr. Pelden is also a principal supervisor for doctoral and master’s students, mentoring emerging scholars and practitioners in the field of counselling.

With more than 16 years of clinical experience as a counsellor, Dr. Pelden has worked extensively with young people and families in diverse settings, both in Australia and internationally. Her professional experience spans across schools, non-profit organizations, and governmental bodies, where she has designed, delivered, and evaluated counselling programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations. Dr. Pelden’s expertise also extends to policy development, having collaborated with key global organizations including the United Nations (UNFPA, UNICEF, UNODC) and Save the Children.

She has led and pioneered the development of student-led counselling clinics and counselling services internationally. Notably, her leadership in advocating for and developing School Guidance Counsellor roles and policies and clinical supervision models in Bhutan has been highly significant.

Her research interests focus on suicide prevention in young people, culturally appropriate counselling interventions, and global pedagogy.

Professional associations

  • 2024: Working Committee, Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
  • 2021-Present: National Heads of Counselling and Psychotherapy Education
  • 2016-Present: Advisory Board, Bhutan Board for Certified Counsellors

Awards and recognition

National and International awards

  • 2012 - Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship
  • 2007 - Royal Government of Bhutan Scholarship for Postgraduate studies
  • 2000 - Government of India scholarship for Undergraduate studies

University and National Teaching awards

  • 2021 - Nominee for Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Advancing Teaching and Learning

Research areas and interests

  • Suicide in adolescents
  • Diverse and migrant communities
  • Culturally appropriate intervention in counselling and research
  • School counselling and education policy in Bhutan

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Curtin University of Technology, 2016.
  • Master of Human Services Counselling with Distinction, Curtin University of Technology, 2009.

Research Outputs

2024

Book Chapters

Journal Articles

  • Dorji, T., Rinchen, K., Morrison-Saunders, A., Blake, D., Banham, V., Pelden, S. (2024). Understanding How Indigenous Knowledge Contributes to Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Environmental Management, 2024(Article in press), 23 pages. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-02032-x.

2023

Conference Publications

  • Pelden, S., Wangchuk, S., Choejor, P., Rinzin, T., Tshering, D. (2023). Understanding the needs of migrants from Bhutan living in Perth. Intersections of Culture, Climate, and Science: Innovations from Bhutanese research in Australia (45-60). University of Sydney. https://doi.org/10.25910/z0hq-ah54.

2022

Reports

  • Pelden, S., Rinzin, T., Tshering, D., Wangchuk, S., Chejor, P. (2022). Understanding the needs of migrants from Bhutan in Perth. Australia. Edith Cowan University.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Pelden, S., Banham, V. (2020). Counselling Placements Caught up in the Mismatch of Standards And Realities: Lessons From COVID-19. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 17(4), Article Number: 12. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/8728.

Conference Publications

  • Pelden, S., Pelzom, T. (2020). Pioneering Supervision Training for School Guidance Counsellors in Bhutan: Reflections and Lessons for the Field. Proceedings of the International Conference on Emerging Social Work Practices and Education (69-81). Royal University of Bhutan. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/10807.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Pelden, S., Boyd, E., Grobbelaar, M., Adusei-Asante, K., Hopkins, L. (2019). Ladies, Gentlemen and Guys: The Gender Politics of Politeness. Social Sciences, 8(2), Article number 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8020056.

2018

Conference Publications

  • Adusei-Asante, K., Pelden, S. (2018). Gender Impact Assessment: Theoretical Challenges. IAIA18 Conference Proceedings (pp7). International Association for Impact Assessment. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/4978.

Research Projects

  • RISE UP – Transforming Criminality to Contribution, Department of Justice WA, Criminal Property Confiscation Grant, 2024 ‑ 2026, $20,000.
  • Building a Future-Ready Organisation: Evaluability Assessment of Tenacious House , Tenacious House, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2022, $31,742.
  • Understanding the needs of migrants from Bhutan in Perth, Office of Multicultural Interests WA, Grant, 2022, $5,000.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Exploring the transnational identity experiences of Bhutanese female students in Western Australia

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, A GNH-Inclusive Counselling Education: Bridging Educational Practices with GNH Philosophy

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The effects of COVID-19 in Bhutan: Retrospect and prospect for people, progress and prosperity.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Values and Acculturation Experiences in Alcohol and Other Drug Use, and Mental Health of African-Australian Youth.

Completed Supervisions

No data available
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