Dr. Bart Begalka

I retired from academics in 2020. I taught Counselling Psychology at the graduate level. I have degrees in religion and education (my doctorate is in Education). I work a few hours a week as a psychotherapist, otherwise I’m a hermit living in Surrey, British Columbia. I grew up in Washington State and moved to Canada when I was 32 years old.

When I was about 20 years old, I had to make a choice between going to art school and continuing my studies to become a pastor. I ended up becoming a pastor, largely because I was going through a huge “artist’s block”. I didn’t have anything to express. My years in ministry didn’t last long, and I eventually became a counselling therapist.

In my 40’s I was facing a faith crisis and a career crisis. Through my Jungian therapist I began exploring art again. I began producing mandalas out of wood, a self-discovery process that led to becoming a faculty member in a university.

In my “retirement” I am an artist, and I guess I am once again a pastor, in that many of my clients wrestle with their faith. (The “spiritual but not religious” crowd seem to be drawn to me.)