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Comprehensive Psychological Assessment & Treatment

Mountains in Clouds

    Thank you in advance for reaching out.

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By way of introduction, I have both a psychological assessment and treatment practice. My “assessment practice” focuses mostly upon those with Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders (Adjustment Disorders, ASD, PTSD), those with chronic pain, and those who have suffered other forms of “psychological injury.” These individuals will typically include RCMP members, other First Responders, and those injured in MVAs.

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My “treatment practice” focuses mostly upon these same individuals together with others who may suffer from anxiety (GAD, social, health anxiety), depression, sadness, low mood, grief/bereavement, panic attacks, stress, burnout, cognitive impairment, insomnia, issues with substance use/abuse, difficulty with life transitions, workplace impairments, couples issues, and family relations problems.

 

Both practices, to the extent possible, are rigorously evidenced-based. It is my job (and intent) to offer superlative psychological service and care. This/these are my goals in assessing and helping/treating others.

- Peter Joy, Ph.D., R. Psych., CPBC Reg. #1003 

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Meet Dr. Peter Joy

Regarding my background, I have worked as a psychologist in British Columbia for over 30 years. Initially, I worked as a consulting psychologist at the Thorson Pain Rehabilitation Clinic (1991-1992), and then for seven years as a psychologist at WorkSafeBC. At WorkSafeBC, I conducted psychological-legal assessments of injured workers for medical, claims, rehabilitation, pension, and Board of Review purposes. I conducted research, and I worked within in the PACE Program, a then WorkSafeBC Interdisciplinary Pain Program.

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I have had a full-time private practice since 1999, specializing in both the assessment and treatment of individuals with acute and chronic pain and related disability plus co-existing (or unrelated) anxiety, depressive, sleep, neurocognitive, substance, and trauma and stressor-related disorders. More commonly, the reference would be to problems with anxiety, depression, sleep, cognitions, substance use and abuse, fears, phobias, and PTSD.

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In the last 5 years, I have been mostly focused on treatment, working with people from all walks of life and with a multitude of different issues and/or concerns. As above, these can include any of, or any combination of: anxiety (GAD, social, health anxiety), fears/phobias, anger, panic attacks, trauma and stressor-related disorders, OCD, insomnia, depression, grief/bereavement, issues with substance use/abuse, chronic illness, chronic pain, workplace issues and/or disability, couples issues, family relations problems, and so on. As well, I routinely assess and treat individuals injured in motor vehicle and recreational accidents, plus RCMP members and other First Responders suffering from traumatic exposure in the workplace.

Peter Joy

I am informed by a bio-psycho-social understanding of physical and psychological health. This understanding informs my approach to both assessment and treatment.

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Primary treatment modalities include CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), and MI (Motivational Interviewing). I am also well versed in couples/marital therapy and Family Systems Theory. My treatment approach is highly collaborative. In-session treatment is supplemented by links to multiple self-help and educational online resources - see Resources link. Different client strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, and preferences are recognized: treatment is individualized. Individual, couple, family, and group approaches are accommodated.

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I have been a long-standing member of the British Columbia Psychological Association, the Canadian Psychological Association, the Canadian Pain Society, the American Pain Society, and the International Association for the Study of Pain.

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More recently, I have acted as the psychological representative on the PainBC Project ECHO for Chronic Pain. I have worked as a psychological consultant with the Canadian Pain Regenerative Institute (CPRI Health) and Restore Sports Medicine.

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I have presented and published widely in my area of interest. I have been qualified on numerous occasions over the course of 32 years as an expert in psychology in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and in the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta.

Assessment/Areas of Focus

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  • RCMP and other First Responders

  • Persons injured in MVAs

  • Persons injured in the workplace or during sports or recreation

  • Most common impairments will include chronic pain, anxiety, depression, cognitive issues, fears/phobias, PTSD

  • Completed insurance forms and narrative reports are provided 

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          (For further information, please refer to FAQ #1)

Treatment/Areas of Focus

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  • Trauma, Phobias, Adjustment Disorders, ASD, PTSD

  • Chronic Pain

  • Anxiety (GAD, Social, Health Anxiety)

  • Depression, Sadness, Low Mood

  • Grief/Bereavement

  • Panic Disorder

  • Stress and Burnout

  • Insomnia

  • Substance Use/Abuse

  • Relationship Issues (Couples and Families)

  • Workplace Stress, Impairment, and Disability

  • Life Transitions

(For further information, please refer to FAQ #6)

Treatment Approach/Types of Therapy

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  • Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

  • Client-Centred

  • Existential

  • Couples/Marital (CBT, ACT, Gottman)

  • Family Systems

  • Trauma Focused/Trauma Informed

  • Transactional Analysis

(For further information, please refer to FAQ #6)

Insurance Details/Financials

To be discussed. Individual clients should check extended benefits coverage before initial contact. Receipts will be provided for insurance purposes. Psychology services are not covered by MSP.

(For further information, please refer to FAQ #3)

*Pay by ACH Bank transfer

Several insurance carriers pay or reimburse for psychological services as follows.

  • Canada Life

  • Desjardins

  • Great-West Life

  • Green Shield Canada

  • ICBC

  • Manulife

  • Pacific Blue Cross

  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police

  • Sunlife

  • Veterans Affairs Canada

Other Places to Find Me

Psychology Today
Restore Sports
BCPA

Contact

Contact me now for a free 15 minute telephone consultation - Contact Here

© 2025 by Peter Joy Psychology. Proudly created by Fahl Designs

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Peter Joy, Ph.D., R. Psych., CPBC Reg. #1003

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