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- 778-726-1925
- Fax: 778-699-2500
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 17:00
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Anxiety is a broad term referring to several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are disproportionate to the actual danger. Individuals may avoid certain locations or situations to prevent these symptoms. Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. Research has demonstrated that CBT is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. Dr. Libben uses specialized CBT interventions depending on the specific sub-types of anxiety.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living. Depression differs from “the blues” or “feeling down” when it begins to interfere with everyday activities such as work and school and impacts your personal relationships. Dr. Libben uses a combination of cognitive behavioural and interpersonal therapy to help alleviate symptoms of depression.
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a complex disorder characterized by various symptoms (e.g., headaches, dizziness, memory impairment etc.) that last weeks to months after injury. Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, usually occurring after a blow to the head. Loss of consciousness isn’t required for a diagnosis of concussion or post-concussion syndrome. In fact, the risk of post-concussion syndrome doesn’t appear to be associated with the severity of the initial injury. Both PCS and traumatic brain injury can be characterized by pain, impaired functioning and cognitive difficulties. Dr. Libben’s training in both clinical- and neuro-psychology allows her to provide specialized and comprehensive treatment to clients who have suffered a brain injury. Dr. Libben works with her patients to provide psychoeducation regarding brain injury, psychological interventions for any associated problems such as anxiety and/or depression, as well as cognitive rehabilitation techniques to help improve cognitive functioning.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioural disorder that can develop because of exposure to a traumatic event. Symptoms may include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, alterations in the way a person thinks and feels, and an increase in the fight-or-flight response. These symptoms last for more than a month after the event and can be extremely debilitating. Dr. Libben treats PTSD using Accelerated Resolution Therapy in conjunction with other trauma-focused therapies. She works with her clients to specifically target and re-process traumatic memories thus reducing trauma-associated symptoms.
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder (and their variants) are characterized by a serious disturbances in eating behaviour, body image and weight regulation. They are associated with a wide range of adverse psychological, physical, and social consequences. A person with an eating disorder may start out just eating smaller or larger amounts of food, but at some point, their urge to eat less or more spirals out of control. Severe distress or concern about body weight or shape, or extreme efforts to manage weight or food intake, also may characterize an eating disorder. Eating disorder treatment depends on the particular disorder and symptoms. Dr. Libben will typically combine psychological treatment with nutritional education and will collaborate with your family doctor for medical monitoring.
Stress is a natural, physiological response that involves interactions between our mind, body, and environment. Stress is not inherently bad, we need a certain, optimal level of stress in order to remain alert and maintain performance. Problems occur when we experience too much stress. We overtax both our physical and cognitive resources. Chronic, high levels of stress have been associated with various serious physical and psychological difficulties including insomnia, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, depression, and anxiety disorders. Using CBT and Mindfulness techniques, Dr. Libben helps her clients develop a strategic plan to help better manage their stress. Such a plan will involve interventions to modify stress-producing thoughts and improve coping capabilities.
CBT is an a broad form of therapy that focuses on modifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. Dr. Libben has extensive experience in CBT and teaches CBT intervention at the graduate level as well as in professional workshops.
ACT uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies in combination with behavioural change techniques to increase psychological flexibility. Dr. Libben has extensive experience in ACT and teaches ACT intervention at the graduate level.
ART is an emerging, efficient intervention for PTSD and other psychological conditions. It is a brief therapy that focuses on memory re-consolidation. Dr. Libben is a registered ART therapist with the Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Recovery.
In your first therapy session, Dr. Libben will gather information about your background, including any relevant medical or mental health history. You will be asked to describe your current issues or concerns and the length of time you have been experiencing them. You may be asked if you have any goals for your treatment and the coping strategies you have used. By the end of the second session, you will have some basic information about your treatment plan: the approach that will be used and the approximate number of sessions that may be required. You should also have sense of whether there is a good fit between you and Dr. Libben.
Therapy appointments are one hour in length. This includes 50 minutes of face-to-face contact, with the remaining 10 minutes reserved for documentation of your session and treatment planning for subsequent sessions. The 50 minute hour is standard for most psychologists in private practice. Psychological assessments vary in length and details will be discussed in advance of your appointment.
Note that fees for private psychological services are not covered by our provincial health plan (MSP). Direct billing is available for approved ICBC claims only. In all other cases, formal receipts are provided and are often required to obtain coverage from an insurance/extended health benefits plan. Prior to your first appointment, it may be beneficial to consult with your provider to determine your level of coverage.
In general, the information that you share with Dr. Libben during your appointment(s) is confidential. Legally and ethically, your records are protected, and no information is disclosed without your expressed written permission. There are a few exceptions to this rule, some of which are listed below:
If a client makes a serious threat to harm themselves or to harm another individual, the law requires Dr. Libben to try to protect you and/or that person. This may involve calling a loved one, calling 911, or the police.
If there is suspected child abuse or neglect (or there has been in the past) or abuse/neglect of an older or vulnerable adult, Dr. Libben is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
For clients involved with the criminal justice system, Dr. Libben’s clinical records could be subpoenaed for court.
If Dr. Libben is made aware of another health care provider who has acted unethically with a client/patient, she is required to report this to the appropriate regulatory body/authority.
The limits of confidentiality will be included in your intake form to be read prior to your first appointment.
Please note that Dr. Libben is not accepting new clients at this time. The BC College of Psychologists has a regional search tool that can be accessed here.
Information regarding treatment and assessment fees can be found here.
Payments can be made when you arrive at the office for your session. Advance payment is available for both online and telephone bookings. We accept all major credit and debit cards.
Free parking is available for clients at 2755 Tutt street. Parkade entrance is located on Osprey Ave. between Richter and Tutt.
Dr. Libben specializes in individual psychotherapy. If couples or family treatment is required a referral can be made to a therapist who specializes in these domains.
In general, you do not need a referral from your family physician to see a psychologist. However, should your extended medical plan include coverage for psychological services, your insurance provider may require a referral letter prior to beginning treatment.