Dr. Katy Strachan
Licensed Psychologist
Welcome
If you are considering therapy or wondering whether psychological services might be helpful, you are welcome to explore this website to see if my practice may be a good fit for you.
The therapeutic relationship is central to effective therapy, so it is important that you feel comfortable with the person you choose to work with. I encourage you to read about my approach and the areas I work in. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Areas of Practice
Over the years, my work has focused on several areas that often overlap in people’s lives and relationships. Many of the concerns that bring someone to therapy are connected to earlier experiences, relationship patterns, and the ways we understand ourselves. The areas below reflect the issues I commonly work with in my practice.
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A large focus of my private practice has been providing treatment for men and women with anxiety and depression.
My primary approach to treating mood disorders is to assist clients in changing automatic thought patterns, increasing their emotional self-awareness, while experimenting with healthier behaviours.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, combined with emotionally focused approaches, have been shown by research to be a highly effective treatment for mood disorders. I also work closely with physicians who are managing the medical aspects of mood disorders.
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In my private practice, I have focused primarily on women and older girls from 16 years of age to seniors.
I have worked for 10 years with women who were victims of family violence and other crimes through the Vancouver Alternatives to Violence Program, the BC Criminal Injuries Compensation Program and private practice. I have also provided counselling for relationship and intimacy issues.
Therapy is oriented toward helping women and older girls develop a positive self-image and to overcome any barriers to health that may exist due to family of origin issues, negative gender conditioning or traumatic experiences.
My approach is influenced by cognitive behavioural, attachment theory, Feminist theory and humanist traditions.
I also focus on the impact of emotional and/or physical abuse, whether in the family of origin or in later adult relationships, on relationships and intimacy issues.
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Most of my work with these issues has been with clients in my private practice since 1994 as well as through work in anger management groups.
In addition, many of these issues arise in relation to depression and anxiety.
Our earliest experiences in relationships impact upon our later successes and/or difficulties in our adult relationships. Experiences of abuse and neglect or the absence of a parental figure who was able to form a close attachment significantly impact our emotional lives.
Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to examine these issues and to challenge faulty beliefs.
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I provided services for five years to the Vancouver Alternatives to Violence Program and Burnaby Family Life Program, conducting treatment programs for men.
I have worked with victims of physical and emotional abuse in my private practice as well as through liaising with these programs.
I focus on understanding the thoughts and fears that motivate the anger response and on instilling the awareness of choice in one's reactions, as well as a firm sense of personal responsibility.
The impact of abuse can have many forms, some of which are low expectations for relationships simply from a lack of exposure to normal, healthy interactions.
I focus on establishing acceptable standards of behaviour in relationships for all parties. It is also important to explore and expose the messages that abuse can convey to the victim (such as "I must not be worthwhile") and replace these with more accurate thoughts and feelings.
My sessions are not rigidly structured but are tailored to the individual client. We begin by discussing what has brought you to therapy, and we move forward from there at a pace that feels manageable for you.
My work draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. These approaches share an emphasis on increasing awareness of thoughts and beliefs, and understanding the emotional impact those patterns can have.
My Approach
What Makes Therapy Work
After more than 30 years in practice, I believe the most important element in therapy is the connection between therapist and client.
A good therapeutic relationship allows the client to feel heard and seen, without judgment, and with compassion.
Clients often tell me that they find me easy to talk to and that they feel comfortable speaking openly. Long-term clients have shared that they appreciate having a place where they can bring difficult experiences and talk them through in a supportive environment.
Taking the Next Step
If you would like to arrange an appointment or speak briefly to see whether my practice might be a good fit, you are welcome to contact me.
There are some concerns that are not the right fit for my practice, such as addiction issues, formal assessments, child custody matters, and crisis situations. In those areas, more specialized services may be appropriate.