Dr Sarah Chan

Registered Psychologist

My areas of practice

I am trained and have experience in working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. Emotional struggles often happen in the context of life changes and losses, so adjustment to life changes is also a common focus in my work. I am also interested in working with individuals living with chronic pain and health conditions.

My approach to therapy

My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe space for someone to explore their emotional difficulties, and find ways to meet these difficulties in order to live life according to one’s own values. My approach to therapy is mainly cognitive-behavioural, so we will likely explore internal experiences of thoughts, emotions and urges, and we will also look at how actions and choices impact one’s well-being. I also incorporate mindfulness and dialectical behavioural therapy skills, when it is helpful and appropriate.

My background

My education and work in psychology has taken me across Canada and back again. I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of British Columbia, and completed my Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan. As part of my doctoral degree, I completed a CPA-accredited clinical psychology residency at the Ottawa General Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, with a focus on health and rehabilitation psychology.

Following my training, I worked for some years in Regina, in an outpatient mental health clinic, assessing and treating various psychological difficulties, as well as at a rehabilitation centre, assessing and treating individuals with physical injury, chronic pain and health conditions.

I am a Registered Psychologist in the province of British Columbia.