** All services are offered by telehealth at this time **

It’s hard not to feel the weight of the world these days. Many people are struggling with their mental health, and the increased stress in today’s world can have a negative impact on our ability to cope in an effective and healthy way. If you need help, support, guidance, and/or change in your life, please feel free to reach out. I believe that therapy can help you to move forward from your current obstacles and improve your mental health, thereby improving your day-to-day functioning and mood, current relationships, and future goals. I believe that the therapeutic relationship and a good rapport is very important; hence, finding the right psychologist for you is encouraged. I also believe that therapy should be collaborative, with you setting the initial treatment goals at the beginning and us working together to accomplish your goals.

I obtained my doctoral degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology in 2014 and have been working as a Registered Psychologist in BC for over seven years. I have provided assessment and therapy services in federal prisons and provincial correctional centres, trauma therapy and psychological assessments with individuals injured at work, and vocational rehabilitation, learning disorder, and ADHD assessments for clients with barriers to employment. I have experience working with adults and adolescents (ages 10-18 years) who have depression, anxiety, anger, emotion management, substance use, chronic pain, attention/concentration, learning, and relationship/interpersonal difficulties as well as individuals who are experiencing life, family, and/or work-related stress, and those who are on leave from work due to mental health concerns. I also have experience providing psychotherapy to first responders (e.g., police, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers, and nurses) who have been diagnosed with mental health disorders such as acute stress, adjustment related concerns, and PTSD due the significant difficulty of their jobs and the accumulation of traumatic experiences they often encounter. I enjoy working with clients who desire a change in life but who are struggling to make that change.

** All services are offered by telehealth at this time ** It’s hard not to feel the weight of th... Read More

Joan Lahey, Registered Clinical Counsellor (#22689)

I am privileged to support individuals on their journey to make positive change and I am deeply moved by their openness and desire to grow. I especially enjoy providing support to children, youth and their parents or caregivers. It gives me joy to work with individuals and I want you to succeed. I believe, with strategies designed just for you and with support, you can find greater ease. I am inviting you to reach out so we can work together through the challenges life presents.

I have always had an interest in counselling and mental health, and after teaching for 25 years in the public school system I took the opportunity to return to university and receive a Master’s Degree in Education (School Counselling). I bring much experience of working with children and their families. I continue to enjoy being engaged in learning and I am committed to ongoing professional development. In 2024 I completed a yearlong study of interpersonal neurobiology within community, and I have studied online courses in mental health, some of which include anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, self-regulation for children and adolescents, and polyvagal theory which emphasizes safety and self-regulation.

I use a client-centered and collaborative approach which is built on trust, and it is within this positive and trusting relationship that an individual may begin to explore their challenges and consider their strengths. Some of the areas in which I have provided support include stress, anxiety, sadness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, relationships, and adapting differently to some of life’s challenges. I use a combination of several modalities in my approach, and they include client-centered, aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness and self-compassion, and Acceptance and Commitment Theory (ACT). I also use psychoeducation and the use of art and games as a therapeutic approach.

Joan Lahey is accepting new clients in-person and via telehealth. She is seeing child and youth clients in-person, with subsequent sessions occurring via telehealth only when appropriate (e.g., with older adolescent clients and young adults).

Joan Lahey, Registered Clinical Counsellor (#22689) I am privileged to support individuals on th... Read More

I am continually astounded by the strength, creativity and resilience of the people who share their stories with me, as I know reaching out for help can be a challenge and holding space for others is a great privilege. There are many difficult roads in life, where we struggle in ways that others cannot, or do not, see or understand. My hope is to travel alongside you for a time, with the intention of helping you feel seen, understood, and supported in your struggles while you move through them.

My approach to counselling is fundamentally collaborative and client centered. When working with people I emphasize strengths, explore with curiosity, invite authenticity, and strive to create safety. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings over the past fourteen years, including university counselling centers, community based organizations for individuals who experienced domestic violence, and in forensic contexts with individuals involved in the criminal justice system. I have had the privilege of working with clients from diverse backgrounds, who have ranged in age from late adolescence to geriatric, as well as having lived experience with mental health challenges with varying degrees of severity. I have supported clients with a variety of presenting issues including: anxiety, communication, depression, emotion management, life transitions, perfectionism, personal growth, relationships, resiliency, stress management, substance use, and trauma. In navigating these issues, I have utilized all the tools available to me and my training includes experience with a number of different theoretical orientations and approaches, including: cognitive-behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), humanistic approaches, mindfulness based approaches, narrative therapy, and self-compassion informed approaches.

In addition, I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia (#2503). I received a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, and a bachelor of science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Victoria.

I am continually astounded by the strength, creativity and resilience of the people who share the... Read More

Welcome!

It should come as no surprise that life can have its challenges. Whether you are dealing with stress related to work or school, relationship difficulties with a partner or family member, wish you could improve your current mood, or you experience some other issue that is negatively impacting your overall mental well-being, it is not something that needs to be managed alone!

I provide a safe space for individuals to help them gain a better understanding of their current struggles, emphasizing unconditional acceptance, rather than judgment.

Whether it’s through applying Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to tackle a specific problem, a person-centered approach to provide more support and guidance, or taking a strengths-based perspective to build up one’s resiliency, I tailor my method of treatment to best meet the needs of that particular individual. What works well for one person may not work as well for another!

I am a licenced psychologist in British Columbia, holding a doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology, as well as a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. I have plenty of prior experience working with juvenile offenders and their parents, while currently I am employed with federal corrections, providing psychological services to adult offenders. In addition to the correctional setting, I have provided psychological services to teenagers and adults within the community as well.

Given the variety of clients I have worked with both in the United States and Canada, I provide a diverse perspective on mental health issues related to mood (e.g. depression, anxiety/panic, stress, anger), parenting, communication, sleep difficulties, relationship issues, academic struggles, men’s issues, sexual behaviour problems, self-esteem, intellectual disability, and life transitions, among others. Regardless of your reason for seeking therapy, I strive to do what is best for my clients and help them become the best version of themselves so they can lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives!

Dr. Schade is now seeing clients in-person and via telehealth. He is also accepting ICBC clients with direct billing to ICBC.

Welcome! It should come as no surprise that life can have its challenges. Whether you are dealin... Read More