Associate Faculty
Dr. Nhial Korow Wicleek is a mental health practitioner, researcher, and social justice advocate with extensive experience providing counselling services for the past 15 years in the City of Calgary. Dr. Wicleek is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). He is also a Certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). Dr. Wicleek holds a Doctorate in Counselling and Psychotherapy (DCP) from Yorkville University, a Master of Counselling from City University in Canada, and a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Psychology from Burman University.
Dr. Wicleek specializes in African Canadian refugee trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As a clinical practitioner, he focuses on creating a safe space by using a traumainformed approach to support individuals seeking safety and stabilization as the beginning of their healing journey from traumatic experiences. His work spans both private practice and the public sector. For the past five years, he has owned and operated a small private practice, Wicleek’s Counselling & Consulting, in the City of Calgary.
Dr. Wicleek is joining City University in Canada as an Associate Faculty member and will enthusiastically contribute to the knowledge development of CityU students. Dr. Wicleek is married and has four lovely children. His hobbies include going for walks, playing soccer with his children, reading books, and watching the news.
Research
My research interest is to understand the depth of trauma and the impact of PTSD among African Canadian refugees who have immigrated to Canada from conflict-affected countries. This work is driven by a deep passion and conviction to find effective ways to support their mental health needs. My focus is on integrating culturally responsive, trauma-informed care approaches to help facilitate healing and successful integration into the broader host community.
Closing the practice gap involves fostering a positive working alliance between therapists and African clients to promote better collaboration and achieve improved client outcomes. My Applied Scholarship Project focuses on promoting culturally informed professional development among mental health practitioners, creating awareness within African communities to better understand the impact of trauma and PTSD, and reducing stigma to improve the help-seeking process.
Publications
- Guest Lecturer, University of Calgary, Department of Social Work, Calgary, AB, June 13, 2026.
- Research Project: Averting the Risk Posed to African Canadian Refugees from East Africa.
- Applied Scholarship Project: Integrated Culturally Responsive Trauma-Informed Care for African Canadian Refugees from Conflict-Affected Countries: A Systematic Review. (Unpublished)
- The Treatment of PTSD in Canadian Refugees from South Sudan.
- From a Refugee Camp in Ethiopia as a Psychosocial Worker to Working in Refugee Camps as an Expert in Psychotherapy.
Teaching
My teaching philosophy is grounded in collaborative learning informed by experiential learning. I believe that engaging students in discussions of concepts, theory, and practice helps them retain knowledge, reflect on their learning, and apply it more confidently in professional settings.