Rick Csiernik's, Quality Assurance and Clinical Training Advisor

Rick Csiernik has earned multiple degrees – e.g., BSc (Psychology), MSW, PhD (Social Work). Rick holds the designations certified addictions counsellor (CCAC) and registered social worker (RSW). Outside his professional responsibilities with BMS Thunderbird Management and Lifestyle Consulting, Ltd., Rick is a Professor, School of Social Work, King's University College at Western University. Previously, Rick taught at McMaster University. Rick has written and edited 14 books and authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Some of Rick’s publications are Just Say Know; A Counsellor’s Guide to Psychoactive Drugs; Homeless, Housing and Mental Health; Substance Use and Abuse: Everything Matters; and Responding to the Oppression of Addiction. Rick has presented at over 200 national and international conferences, workshops and seminars.Rick has been part of research teams that have received over 3.4 million dollars in funding.

Rick has been on the King's University College Honour Role of teaching 16 consecutive times. Rick was the co-developer of the McMaster University Addiction Studies Program where he has taught for 30 years and was inaugural recipient of the McMaster University Instructor Appreciation award. Rick has led curriculum review of both the undergraduate and graduate programs at the King’s University College School of Social Work. Rick also teaches in the addiction studies program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Rick has provided supervisory services to Masi Consultants of Boston, Shalem Mental Health Counselling in Hamilton, AIDS Resources and Community Health (ARCH) in Guelph.

Rick also has experience supervising social work interns for McMaster and Ryerson universities. Rick has previously worked for McMaster University Medical Centre, the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, Addiction Research Foundation (now the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) and the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Rick has provided on site education to both Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississauga First Nation. Rick has worked in the London community with members of the Oneida Nation of the Thames and Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

Rick currently has a proposal pending to work with the Nunavut Government to provide counselling education and training with an emphasis on addiction issues.