The Psychotherapy Program is an academic program in the Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia. It is located in the David Strangway Building, Suite 420, 5950 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3. Members of the Psychotherapy Program are engaged in teaching, research, and clinical activities at the university and in many clinics, hospitals, and private offices in the greater Vancouver area. In addition, long-distance teaching and supervision, as well as multi-site research studies take place in a number of other locations.

Program Objectives

1. To promote excellence in the teaching, research, and clinical practice of psychotherapy.
2. To promote a broad-based approach to the psychotherapies. This cuts across several dimensions including different modalities (e.g., individual, couple, family, group), structures (e.g., short-term, long-term, time-limited, open), and theoretical orientations (e.g., dynamic, cognitive behavioural, interpersonal).
3. To promote integration of psychotherapy and other treatments (e.g., medication, hospitalization, ECT). This helps insure that psychotherapy is not viewed as a treatment limited only to patients with mild forms of mental illness.
4. To distinguish basic and advanced standards of training. This includes defining the knowledge base, attitudes, skills, and clinical experience that are required to achieve the standards.
5. To promote the integration of research with both teaching and clinical practice. This involves two-directional influence.
6. To fully utilize available resources at the clinical sites (training, supervision, continuing education).
7. To promote interdisciplinary collaboration.