Judith’s Professional Biography & Treatment Approaches

Judith Beale, M.A. Registrant of the College of Psychologists of B.C.

Education Degrees

• U.B.C. Master of Arts Counselling Psychology 1992

• U.B.C. Bachelor of Arts Psychology Major

Specialized Training

• Vancouver Couple and Family Institute - Emotionally Focused Couples Training Certificate

• Canadian Psychoanalytic Society Western Branch — Psychotherapy Program

• Marriage and Family Therapy Training
— Satir Institute Certificate

• B.C.I.T. Human Resources Management Training

Professional Affiliations

• Registered with the College of Psychologists of B.C. Registered Psychological Associate License #1612

• Member of the Canadian Psychological Association

• Registered 1992-2005 with the B.C. Association for Clinical Counsellors

Current Work Experience and Approach to Treatment

Exclusively in private practice in Kitsilano, Vancouver B.C. counselling Adult Individuals and Couples. I work primarily from these Contemporary Psychodynamic approaches to assessment, counselling and psychotherapy:

Relationships as key in the development of our identity as individuals

• Relational emphasizes relationships as key in the development of our identity as individuals. Early experiences and our unique personalities set the stage for identity development and ways of relating but change and growth occurs dynamically in the present context of one’s current relationships. The therapy relationship can be a safe context for these patterns to come alive and change.

• A Whole Person Perspective is exactly as it sounds. We consider problems in the context of other areas of one’s life as appropriate and relevant to each situation. Problems or “symptoms” may be understood as part one’s unique life experience rather than only as a painful symptom.

• Intersubjectivity involves the development of one’s ability to experience and relate to others and ourselves as subjects not confined to roles or scripts, nor constrained by rigid assumptions or expectations. The ability to know, express and appreciate our uniqueness and diversity while also appreciating these qualities in others is important for mature healthy relating. This is a central concern in interpersonal conflict situations and crucial for sustaining long term intimate relationships. It is a key area of focus when working with Couples.

Where appropriate other Approaches/Models are incorporated such as:

Cognitive-Behavioural C.B.T. / Interpersonal / Family Systems / Integrative

My previous experience and focus as a counsellor and psychotherapist included a range of settings in business, community and agency health care settings. Although no longer my areas of focus they provided invaluable experience and specialized training with a range of adult treatment problems and issues:

Alcohol and Drugs Outpatient Addiction / Head Injuries Rehabilitation / Employee and Family Assistance Programs / Career Change and Transition