National & International Clinical Contributions

Professional Overview

Dr. Michael Dadson (PhD, RCC #1467, CCC) is a senior clinical director, researcher, supervisor, and advocate whose career has focused on trauma recovery, Operational Stress Injuries (OSI), and the long-term wellbeing of veterans, first responders, couples, and families.

Since becoming a Registered Clinical Counsellor in 2000, Dr. Dadson has accumulated more than 32,500 hours of direct clinical counselling experience. His work integrates clinical practice, program development, research, supervision, and public advocacy, with an emphasis on safe, trauma-informed systems of care.

As a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), Dr. Dadson’s work extends beyond private clinical practice into national program development, professional training, and public policy discussions related to trauma recovery.

A Legacy of Service & Caregiving

Before formal registration as a clinical counsellor, Dr. Dadson served in chaplaincy and specialized caregiving roles supporting individuals and families facing significant emotional, medical, and relational challenges.

For more than 30 years, Michael and Jeanette Dadson also served as specialized foster parents, providing long-term care and stability for neurodivergent and medically vulnerable children. In recognition of their decades of commitment to caregiving and family support, they were formally honoured with an Award for Excellence in Foster Parenting.

This lifelong involvement in caregiving continues to shape Dr. Dadson’s clinical philosophy, emphasizing compassion, stability, relational safety, and whole-person care.

National Program Development & Veteran Services

Veterans Transition Network (VTN)

As former National Executive Director and Clinical Director of the Veterans Transition Network (VTN), Dr. Dadson contributed to the national expansion of trauma recovery and transition services for veterans and first responders across Canada.

His work included:

• Development and leadership of the first gender-responsive transition program for female veterans
• Expansion of French-language programming to improve accessibility for Francophone veterans and families
• Development of therapist training standards and national clinical protocols
• Clinical leadership and program development related to veteran reintegration and Operational Stress Injury recovery

COPE: Couples Overcoming PTSD Every Day

Dr. Dadson also contributed to the development of the COPE program in partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada.

COPE was designed to support veterans, first responders, and their spouses through a group-based model focused on trauma recovery within the family system, recognizing the relational impact of PTSD and Operational Stress Injuries.

Public Policy & Advocacy

House of Commons Expert Testimony

In 2016, Dr. Dadson was invited to provide expert testimony before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) for the House of Commons of Canada.

His testimony focused on Operational Stress Injuries, vocational trauma exposure, and the unique mental health challenges experienced by Canada’s first responder community.

Official Parliamentary Record:
House of Commons SECU Committee Evidence

International & Academic Contributions

Dr. Dadson has participated in clinical training and professional engagement initiatives related to veteran transition and trauma recovery in both Canada and the United Kingdom.

His involvement has included Commonwealth and commemorative events connected to veteran support and remembrance initiatives, as well as international training activities related to Operational Stress Injury recovery.

Research & Clinical Methodology

Dr. Dadson holds a PhD in Counselling Psychology and is the developer of the Sequential Trauma Narrative (STN), a structured clinical framework that emerged from decades of trauma recovery work, group process research, and frontline clinical experience.

His research interests have included:

• Group transition dynamics
• Trauma recovery
• Therapeutic enactments
• Operational Stress Injuries
• Veteran and first responder mental health

He also served as lead researcher on work related to group transition dynamics published in the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma.

Today, the STN framework continues to inform clinical practice, therapist supervision, and program development through Gentle Currents Therapy.

Clinical Mentorship & Supervision

As Clinical Director of Gentle Currents Therapy, Dr. Dadson has supervised and mentored more than 50 graduate students and practicum counsellors.

His supervisory work emphasizes ethical care, trauma-informed practice, relational safety, and the development of grounded clinical judgment in emerging therapists.

Professional Highlights

• 32,500+ Direct Clinical Counselling Hours
• PhD in Counselling Psychology
• Fellow, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)
• Former National Executive Director & Clinical Director, Veterans Transition Network
• Expert Witness, House of Commons SECU Committee (2016)
• Developer of the Sequential Trauma Narrative (STN)
• 30+ Years of Specialized Foster Parenting & Caregiving