Call to book (604-366-3331) or see link below.

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Dr. Brooke Seal (Registered Psychologist #2564) offers on-call (within 48 hours) Psychological Consultation sessions for adults aged 19+ living in B.C. This is a short-term service, providing quick access to support from a Registered Psychologist for a range of psychological concerns.

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Support may include education, short-term strategies, diagnostic impressions, treatment options, and/or resources related to psychological concerns for people experiencing difficulties or their loved ones. Dr. Seal offers up to three, 50-minute sessions, conducted either online or by phone. This service is suitable for a variety of individuals, including those who are currently on a wait-list for services from other providers.

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This service is grounded in research supporting the value of timely, evidence-based interventions for psychological difficulties including short-term support and self-help resources as preferable to delayed access to care (e.g., Miller, 2021).

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Please note that Dr. Seal is not currently accepting new clients for long-term psychological therapy. ___

Important Limitations

This is not a treatment program.

This service is not suitable for: - Individuals who are currently suicidal or who have recently engaged in self-harm. - Comprehensive diagnostic assessments. - Individuals actively under the influence of a substance. - Individuals who have a known psychotic disorder and are currently experiencing a psychotic episode. - Individuals who otherwise may need in-person care.

If You Are in Crisis

Please seek immediate support: - Call 911 - Go to the nearest emergency department - Contact a crisis line: 988, 1-800-SUICIDE, or 310-6789 (no area code required).

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What Does the Psych Consult Service Offer?

1) Rapid access to a Registered Psychologist (within 48 hours; same-day appointments often available - Call 604-366-3331 and leave a message if you don’t see an opening but would like a same-day appointment).

2) Bridges wait-list gaps while clients wait for longer-term care.

3) Provides evidence-based information on psychological functioning and mental health.

4) Can provide short-term coping strategies to help with symptoms.

5) Educates about diagnoses and treatment options.

6) Provides a range of available resources.

7) Helps you get started today.

8) Encourages hope for change.

9) May be reimbursed by extended health benefits.

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Some examples of questions that Dr. Seal has helped with are:

• What might be going on for me/my loved one?
• Does what I am going through seem typical/normal?
• Should I get more help?
• Who can I contact for further help?
• I think I have a psychological diagnosis/my loved one has a diagnosis. What does this psychological diagnosis mean for my/their future?
• How can I support my loved one who has difficulties?
• What does research say about the best possible route for me to take if I have a certain difficulty?
• Can you describe CBT/DBT (or other types of therapy) and can you give me specific examples of what therapy is like?
• I’m on a wait list for services. What resources are available to help while I’m waiting?
• What are some short-term strategies I can use while I am waiting for further services?
• What are the differences between disorders?
• What does the evidence say about prognosis/ expectations for change?
• Can you explain the differences between different types of providers?
• What low-cost or no-cost resources are available?
• What can I do to help myself/my loved one today?

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Background and Education

Dr. Seal received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of British Columbia (2002), and her MA (2005) and PhD (2009) in clinical psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. The UT Austin Clinical Psychology Graduate Program ranked #10 in the 2020 US News and World Report, placing it in the top 4% of clinical programs in the United States. Dr. Seal completed her clinical residency through Vancouver Coastal Health in 2009 and a post doctoral program with the DBT Centre of Vancouver in 2010. Her education focused on psychological assessment, individual and group therapy for a range of difficulties, research, and teaching and mentoring.

Dr. Seal has provided assessment and treatment in a range of clinical settings throughout Vancouver (the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at UBC Hospital, Emergency Psychiatric Services at Vancouver General Hospital, the Concurrent Disorders Unit at UBC Hospital, the BC Centre for Sexual Medicine at VGH, the Eating Disorders Program at Saint Paul’s Hospital, and the DBT Centre of Vancouver) and Texas (Psychology Department Training Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin, the Counselling Center at Texas State University, the Seton Medical Center in Austin, the Austin Behavioral Clinic, the Austin Center for Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and juvenile detention centers).

She has experience with a wide range of difficulties including panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, generalized anxiety, OCD, depression/low mood, psychosis including schizophrenia, trauma, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, problematic alcohol use, ADHD, ASD, school stress and burnout, workplace difficulties, interpersonal difficulties, emotional dysregulation, life transitions, history of self harm and suicidal ideation, and grief and loss.

In addition to clinical work, Dr. Seal has taught assessment skills to graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin, sexual health training skills to medical students at UBC, and several undergraduate courses at SFU (2009-2013) and UFV (2010-present).

She is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of the Fraser Valley where she very much enjoys teaching a range of undergraduate courses (Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychological Interventions, History of Psychology). She has also been involved in research at UBC, SFU, UT Austin, and UFV. She has received several scholarships and awards, presented her research at conferences worldwide, and published several research articles.

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Fees

• $245 for a 50-minute session (as per the standard rate for Registered Psychologists in B.C.).
• Additional sessions: $140 for 30 minutes or $245 for 50 minutes.
• Maximum of 3 sessions per client.
• Sessions must take place within a 1-month period unless otherwise indicated.
• Fees must be paid directly upon receipt of services by the client through credit card or e-transfer within our online clinic management system. This is a confidential, secured platform in Canada used by many healthcare professionals.
• Direct billing to insurance companies is not provided.
• In B.C., private Registered Psychologist services are not covered by the standard health insurance, the Medical Services Plan (MSP). However, many individuals may have coverage through their own or a family member’s extended health benefits, and in that case, can apply for reimbursement of expenses following services. If you think you might be covered by extended health, it’s a good idea to verify the details with your insurance provider.

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Cancellation Policy: No charge for cancellations with more than 16 hours’ notice. Full session fee applies for late cancellations (under 16 hours).

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Booking

Clients can book an online or phone appointment with Dr. Seal within 48 hours including over weekends and holidays. Same-day appointments are often available.

If you would like to see Dr. Seal through the Psych Consult service, please book online through our booking page (https://wisemindcentre.janeapp.com/locations/wise-mind-centre-online-only/book#/staff_member/50 ), email (brooke@wisemindcentre.com), or call Dr. Seal directly at (604-366-3331).

Direct phone calls and emails to Dr. Seal will be responded to within 24 hours.

*Please note: Dr. Seal does not provide services to students from the Department of Psychology at UFV due to conflict of interest.

Call to book (604-366-3331) or see link below. Dr. Brooke Seal (Registered Psychologist #2564)... Read More

Kristy holds a Masters of Arts in Counselling psychology. She is a Registered Psychologist in BC with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (#2661). She is also a registrant with the College of Alberta of Psychologists (Registration #5334) in Alberta. She is accepting new clients at Wise Mind Centre. She works with children and adolescents age 12 and up, as well as adults. She also offers couples therapy using Gottman Method.

Kristy believes change happens for her clients when they are able to feel a safe, trusting, and stable connection with their therapist. As such, she strives to provide clients with a secure place to feel and express their emotions. Kristy utilizes a variety of approaches with her clients, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and the Gottman Method for Couples. Kristy is also passionate about learning new, evidence-based approaches to treatment and incorporating these approaches to promote lasting change for her clients.

For many years Kristy has worked in a variety of adolescent residential programs incorporating families, individuals, and peer supports in order to promote growth in clients. In her work with adolescents, Kristy has worked with individuals dealing with a variety of issues including addiction, mental health, and life skills development. Kristy continued her practice with adolescents as a Psychologist in Alberta completing psychoeducational assessments, and providing individual and family therapy to help adolescents with a variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, peer relationships, and trauma. Kristy has also worked with individuals, couples, and families with similar presentations.

** OFFERING ONLINE SERVICES ONLY AT WISE MIND CENTRE **

Kristy holds a Masters of Arts in Counselling psychology. She is a Registered Psychologist in BC ... Read More

Please note that Wise Mind Centre is not a vendor of ICBC and WorkSafe BC. Dr. Michael Sobocinski does not accept ICBC or WorkSafe BC referrals.

Dr. Sobocinski received his Doctorate in Counselling Psychology in 1992 from the University of Denver, an American Psychological Association accredited program. He is a registered Psychologist in British Columbia, a member of the Canadian Psychological Association, British Columbia Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, and the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

Dr. Sobocinski has been helping people of all ages respond to life’s challenges and grow in healthy ways for nearly thirty years in his role as a counselling psychologist. Early in his early career, he worked in multi-disciplinary treatment teams serving traumatized children, adolescents, young adults, and their families in residential psychiatric treatment and psychiatric inpatient settings.

In addition to extensive experience with children, youth, and families, Dr. Sobocinski has treated adult clients in community mental health and residential treatment programs for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, and in private practice.

His clients have overcome a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem and self-worth challenges, relationship difficulties, attachment wounds, moral injury, compassion fatigue, grief and loss, life transitions, existential and spiritual issues, substance abuse, and sleep disorders.

Underlying most of the presenting issues in Dr. Sobocinski’s clients is a history of complex relational trauma, and it is frequently the pain of such trauma that leads to substance abuse, self-injurious behaviors such as cutting, suicidality, binge and purge eating, chronic anxiety and depression, and relational difficulties. When we recognize the pervasive nature of trauma in our society, many of the frequently confusing and difficult to treat conditions that bring people into therapy make more sense and respond to a therapeutic approach that helps to regulate a traumatized nervous system and bring a coherence to experience that is frequently chaotic and overwhelming. His clients have taught him much about the resilience of the human spirit, and how even the most traumatized individuals may heal and grow within a physically and psychologically safe environment.

Dr. Sobocinski also understands that a person’s most apparently self-defeating behaviors are an attempt at meeting basic human needs for acceptance, connection, influence, and individuality, and that once he understands the inherent wisdom behind these behaviors, his clients challenge themselves to find other, healthier behaviors to meet their needs.

Growth following trauma also requires a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and sustaining connections within a larger community where we can contribute according to our strengths, passions, and interests. For each of us, we need a compelling reason to swing our feet out of bed each morning, a reason that answers the question “What matters to you?”

Throughout his career Dr. Sobocinski has emphasized holistic care that integrates the biological, emotional, cognitive, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of my clients. Dr. Sobocinski always strives to be attuned to the changing needs and goals of his clients, and takes a collaborative, “walking-alongside” approach where each client’s motivations and goals dictate the focus of counselling. In many ways, he understands the work of therapy as helping his clients increase their capability to “live, work and love.”

Dr. Sobocinski works from within a therapeutic model that draws from cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and trauma-informed perspectives, and includes mindfulness, behavioral strategies, and the principles of Motivational Interviewing and the Stages of Change models. He will ask for and incorporate feedback from his clients on whether counselling is addressing goals that are important, whether his clients feel heard, respected, and understood in counselling, and whether his approach works for his clients. Dr. Sobocinski adjusts what he does according to the feedback that he receives.

Fundamentally, we are meaning-making beings, and oftentimes the work of therapy involves re-discovering or creating meaning from experiences that have defied attempts at weaving them into our personal narratives. We are also social creatures, our brains wired from birth to seek out safe and sustaining relationships. All too often, people who experience mental illness and substance use disorders find themselves out of community, alone and isolated, and to be effective counselling must help re-engage people in meaningful roles in their community.

While Dr. Sobocinski has considerable knowledge and experience with facilitating complex behavior change, his clients are the experts on their own life story, and he sees himself as a fellow traveler on their journey of change and growth. This collaborative approach results in an individualized approach that focuses on how interpretations of situations contribute to anxiety for some clients, while for others their lack of selfcare and ability to regulate themselves emotionally when stressed may be a more prominent clinical focus.

Our individual development is strongly influenced by our social, cultural, historical, and family context. Dr. Sobocinski’s education and training emphasized the importance of understanding normal human growth. In many respects he views counselling as a deliberate attempt to nurture the processes underlying human development, especially those of forming attachments to others. Our relationships with others are critical to achieving mental health and wellbeing, just as they often contribute to the onset of mental health problems. Within this overall context Dr. Sobocinski works with clients to establish healthy and fulfilling relationships that are consistent with their values.

Having move south from Anchorage, Alaska in search of adventure and milder winters, Dr. Sobocinski enjoys touring British Columbia in his 1988 Volkswagen Westfalia (“Honu,” Hawaiian for Green Sea Turtle) with his wife, June, and his spirit animal Clyde, a bouncy, fun-loving Goldendoodle whose new best friend is the next person he meets. Dr. Sobocinski’s favorite activity is snorkeling a coral reef and being one with the marine life. He is also a gardener, enjoys hiking, running, and biking, and occasionally taking nature pictures.

Please note that Wise Mind Centre is not a vendor of ICBC and WorkSafe BC. Dr. Michael Sobocinski... Read More