LEAH WILSON
PhD, Registered Psychologist
About Leah
(she/her)
Since 2003 I have been training and working in the counselling field with diverse individuals of all ages. I received my Master's degree in Counselling from the University of Victoria and practiced as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) since 2007.
After practicing as a child and youth mental health clinician in Vancouver on a crisis response team and at a community clinic, I decided to return to university to pursue my PhD in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia, which I completed in May 2015. My dissertation research explored recovery from depression in female teenagers and the role of the parent-child relationship in this process. I am now a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of BC (#2294).
I was born and raised as an uninvited visitor on the territories of the Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ nations, and have returned to these lands to work and be close to family.
Overall, my clinical practice has consisted of working therapeutically in individual and group settings with individuals across the lifespan, including children and youth (5-19 years) and young adult and adult clients in a range of settings (e.g., day treatment program, university counselling centre, community mental health). I believe in the resilience of human beings and work to support individuals to discover meaningful connections to self, others and community. Creating a safe space for clients of diverse backgrounds and cultures is a priority in my clinical practice. I welcome clients of all races, religions, genders, ages, abilities, and sexual orientations.
In my leisure time I enjoy spending time in nature with my family, jogging by the ocean, and reading in a cozy spot,
Education:
MA in Counselling Psychology
University of Victoria - 2005
PhD in Counselling Psychology
University of British Columbia - 2015
Additional Training:
Attachment Science in Action: Emotionally Focused Couple and Individual Therapy, Dr. Leanne T. Campbell (2021)
The DBT Skills: A Three Day Training, Vancouver, BC, DBT Centre of Vancouver (2019)
Assessing and Treating Complex Trauma: A Research-Informed Approach,
St. John’s, NL, Dr. Bethany Brand (2014)
Caring for Gender Non-conforming Children and Teens in the New Millennium, Safety Nets for Gender Variant Children and Youth, Vancouver, BC
Dr. Johanna Olson (2013)
The Transformation of Emotional Suffering: Neuroplasticity and Attachment in Action in AEDP, The AEDP Institute, Vancouver, BC
Dr. Diana Fosha and Benjamin Lipton (2012)
Mindfulness Based Counselling, Vancouver, BC, Justice Institute of British Columbia (2009)
Understanding Adolescent Brain Development: Suicide & Depression, Vancouver, BC, Dr. Stanley Kutcher (2009)
Diversity and Culture Matters, Vancouver, BC, Vancouver Coastal Health, Orientation Series (2009)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy – Certification, Vancouver, BC (2008)
Understanding Trauma, Vancouver, BC, Vancouver Coastal Health, Orientation Series (2008)
Professional Affiliations:
College of Psychologists of B.C.
Registered Psychologist (#2294)
British Columbia Psychological Association Member
Canadian Association of College and
University Student Services (CACUSS) Member
