Dr. Shelly Dean’s experience includes over 25 years of direct counselling experience with children, youth, couples and families, consulting with a wide range of organizations, teaching in Universities, clinical supervision and organizational development in the social service sector. Her particular interest is child protection – centering children’s dignity and resistance to violence. She is currently operating a Response-Based counselling office in Kamloops, BC, Turtle Island/Canada. Shelly is a researcher, supervisor, mama and proud nana to many little people.


Shelly has extensive experience in child advocacy; family court systems, risk assessments and reporting on behalf of children - interviewing children and assisting them to navigate safety within their family system; violence perpetrated by both adults and minors, the intersection of pornography and assessing other forms of violence perpetrated by adults. She prioritizes safety with children and aims to strengthens connections of the parent-child bond.