Lynda-Joy Snyder, MA, MSW, Ph.D.

2336 – 26th Avenue N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2M 2G7

Email:ljsnyder@ucalgary.ca

Professional Affiliations: 
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (Approved Supervisor, AAMFT)
Registered Social Worker

Employment: 
Family Therapist and Clinical Supervisor, Calgary Family Therapy Centre
Sessional Instructor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
Master of Social Work, University of Calgary
Master of Arts, Azusa Pacific University

My interest in social constructionist ideas was birthed in 1991 during a difficult labor to re-enter life in Canada. Eleven years earlier, my husband, two young boys and I left Canada to work internationally. We lived in North Carolina, USA; Chiapas, Mexico; and for the last seven years in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Returning to Canada, I found traditional western ideas of life and relationships no longer fit with my lived experience. 

I needed to update my professional training and so I began studying clinical social work at the University of Calgary. There, I was introduced to postmodern thinking, the ideas and work of Michael White, David Epston, and the Just Therapy Team. Challenged to “think about my thinking,” I explored different ways of knowing and remained intrigued by postmodern ideas and approaches to psychotherapy. 

I began my clinical practice at Calgary Counselling Centre (CCC) in 1993. Over the next twenty years, I worked with many people who showed me the incredible capacities humans have to rise above worries, concerns, and multiple forms of oppression. During this time, I developed a particular interest in working with individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. 

My research endeavors also reflect my interest in family violence and include a number of projects done in partnership with the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research. Several reports for these projects are published on their web site: http://www.research4children.com/admin/search/default.cfm

I am also interested in qualitative research ethics and during my doctoral work my PhD advisor, Dr. Sally St. George, encouraged me to consider how social constructionist ideas might inform a heuristic approach to qualitative inquiry. This was helpful advice and for my PhD dissertation (2012) I integrated social constructionist ideas into a heuristic inquiry exploring the meaning and application of ethics in qualitative research. I am happy to share this work with others and I may be reached by email at ljsnyder@ucalgary.ca

In 2013, Dr. Karl Tomm invited me to join the staff at the Calgary Family Therapy Centre (CFTC). I enjoy my work as a family therapist and clinical supervisor and look forward to conducting further research. In particular, I am interested in doing qualitative research relating to therapeutic endeavors with families impacted by domestic violence. I welcome an opportunity to connect with others sharing similar interests.