Dr. Bart Begalka

Bart Begalka works with individuals who are adapting to life in a new cultural environment, recognizing that the process involves far more than learning a language or settling into a new place. He understands that immigration often brings with it emotional challenges such as grief, identity shifts, the loss of community, family strain, and the pressure to adjust quickly.

Bart helps clients make sense of these stresses, supporting them as they preserve what is meaningful from their original culture while also learning to function effectively in their new surroundings. For many, this means learning how to move between two cultural worlds. In family settings, he assists with the misunderstandings that often emerge when parents maintain one set of cultural values while children or grandchildren grow up shaped by another.

He also specializes in guiding families through the generational tensions that naturally arise between first, second, and third generations. Each generation tends to approach culture, religion, education, gender roles, and authority differently. These differences can lead to conflict, or at least confusion, even in families committed to staying connected. Bart helps families identify and understand these dynamics, fostering respectful communication and encouraging cultural identity to serve as a unifying strength rather than a dividing force.

With a doctorate in Education focused on postcolonial psychology and intercultural communication, Bart brings both academic depth and decades of hands-on experience. He has taught multicultural counselling at the graduate level, training future counsellors to work in diverse environments. His international experience includes speaking at conferences in Indonesia and Turkey and consulting on mental health programs in Indonesia, India, and Cambodia, all of which have expanded his insight into community-based needs in non-Western contexts.

Another central area of his work is the journey of aging and retirement. For over twenty years, Bart has researched what supports well-being, purpose, and emotional balance in later life. After sixteen years as a core faculty member in a graduate counseling psychology program, he formally retired from academic teaching in 2020 and now works in a semi-retired capacity. This shift has given him a personal and practical perspective on transitioning from a full-time professional role to a new life rhythm.

As a member of The International Council for Active Aging (ICAA), he also develops educational content for seniors and their caregivers, helping individuals and families view aging not only as a season of loss but as a time for meaning, contribution, and spiritual growth.

When deeper therapeutic support becomes necessary, Bart is also able to serve as a registered clinical counsellor. With 35 years of counseling experience, he provides therapy for complex issues including trauma, early family wounds, faith-related pain, and grief. His ability to move seamlessly between coaching and clinical counseling allows clients to continue their journey without interruption, offering a cohesive and compassionate approach to emotional and cultural healing.