After spending a decade as a police officer, Chris entered university in 1975 as a mature student, where he combined the knowledge and skills acquired from the harsh realities of police work with degrees from the University of Manitoba in education and counselling psychology. He worked for several years as a school counsellor at both the elementary and secondary levels, has taught at the university level and also operated a private family counselling practice. Chris has extensive training in alcohol and drug prevention, child abuse prevention programs and family therapy. He has completed several years of research on self-esteem and resiliency building and has developed practical programs for use with children, teens and adults.

Chris is the author of the highly successful Developing Capable People program (Canadian Edition) and the breakthrough educational training program Raising Resilient Kids In the 21st Century. Chris has provided keynote addresses in Canada, the USA, Europe and Asia to thousands of parents, educators, professionals and other adults who are in a position to influence the healthy development of children and youth.

Chris has trained with the renowned American psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser, who is also a leader of the 'Quality Education' movement in North America. He has trained with Dr. H. Stephen Glenn, author of several effective training programs for parents and teachers and with Robert W. Reasoner, the internationally respected educator and author of Building Self-esteem Programs for schools. Chris is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Certified Reality Therapist, Nationally Certified Parent Trainer-Professional (NCPT-P), Certified EQ-i (Emotional Intelligence) coach and holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University.

Chris is a highly regarded seminar leader, trainer and author. He is the founding president of the Canadian Council for Self-Esteem and has served as a board member on the International Council for Self-Esteem. He has acted as a consultant to Health Canada, public and private education systems, drug and alcohol prevention agencies, community organizations, First Nations communities and professional groups and businesses. He has also participated on numerous committees and task forces for healthy youth and family development.

His Speaking Engagements Include:

• The 10th International Conference on Thinking, Harrogate, England
• American Counseling Association - World Conference, San Diego, CA
• First International Conference on Self-esteem, Oslo, Norway
• Canadian Counselling Association - National Conference, Ottawa, ON
• California Self-Esteem Conference, Santa Clara, California
• Making Tomorrow Conference for Families, University of Victoria
• R.C.M.P. National Drug Awareness Conference, Toronto, ON
• Manitoba Child Care Association – Provincial Conference - Winnipeg, MB
• Family Focus British Columbia, Provincial Conference
• Public Health Nursing Administrators of B.C., Provincial Conference
• B.C. Principal’s/Vice Principal’s Assoc. - Professional Forum, Vanc., B.C.
• Nova Scotia Early Childhood Educators', Provincial Conference
• British Columbia School Counsellors’ Association, Annual Conference
• Boys and Girls Clubs of B.C. Provincial Conference
• Alberta School Guidance Counsellors Conference, Provincial Conference
• Children, Families & Communities, National Conference
• B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, Provincial Conference
• Manitoba Heart & Stroke Foundation, Annual Conference, Winnipeg, MB
• Institute of Childhood Education, Provincial Conference, Truro, NS