I am a licensed psychologist, registered with the BC College of Psychologists, and a member of the B.C. Psychological Association.
Biography
My undergraduate and graduate training in psychology was conducted at the University of British Columbia, specializing in counselling and psychotherapy. During my training I completed internships in a variety of settings, including a drug and alcohol center, BC Correctional Centre for Women, an employment center for men and women, and the Vancouver Crisis Centre.
Since 1995 I have worked in a private psychotherapy practice providing counselling services to individuals, couples, families and groups. I have also taught counselling courses at the University of British Columbia as a sessional instructor and supervised counselling graduate students.
Dr. Elsie Lorna De Vita, R. Psych. (#1563)
Education
| Graduate: | Ph.D., Counselling Psychology, 2002nThe University of British Columbia,nVancouver, British Columbia. |
| M.A., Counselling Psychology, 1995nThe University of British Columbia,nVancouver, British Columbia. | |
| Undergraduate: | B.A., Psychology, 1989nThe University of British Columbia,nVancouver, British Columbia. |
Clinical Experience
| September 2004 to present | Psychologist, Private Practice, Vancouver. Work full-time providing individual, couple, group and family psychotherapy to clients experiencing various life problems such as childhood and adult trauma, illness, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. |
| March 1998 to present | Affiliate Counsellor, Warren Shepell Consultants Corp. Vancouver Branch. Provide brief counselling and referral resources to employees accessing services through their employee assistance program. |
| March 2012 to December 2015 | Psychotherapist, Residential Historical Abuse Program (RHAP). Contract psychotherapist providing trauma-based treatment to survivors and supervision to another counsellor providing services in the program. |
| October 2003 to September 2010 | Psychotherapist, Righting the Wrong: The Confinement of the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor Children. Contract with the Province of B.C. providing trauma-based treatment to individuals and families in the Doukhobor community. |
| August 1998 to 2007 | Psychotherapist, Dr. Chuck Jung & Associates, Vancouver. Work part-time providing psychological treatment to clients who have sustained traumatic injuries due to work or vehicle related accidents. Function as part of an interdisciplinary team. |
| November 1996 to 2007 | Psychotherapist, Private Practice, Vancouver. Work part-time providing individual, couple, group and family psychotherapy to clients experiencing various life problems such as depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. Provide adolescent counselling. |
| September 1998 to November 1999 | Psychology Intern, Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women. Worked three days a week in the health care unit providing psychological services to women who were incarcerated. Services focused on: addictions counselling, abuse counselling, anger management counseling and mental health counseling. |
| August 1998 to August 1999 | Psychology Intern, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Conducted individual and group therapy sessions weekly with Dr. Kamal Rungta. Patients received psychotherapy for depression and anxiety. |
| November 1996 to January 1999 | Counsellor, Canapro Employment Services, Vancouver. Worked one day a week providing personal counselling services to individuals and marital therapy to couples. Focus on brief therapy models and interventions. Conducted stress and coping seminars to various programs at Canapro. |
| April 1998 to July 1998 | Group co-facilitator, Visac, Vancouver. Co-facilitated a 14 week advanced therapy group for women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. Received supervision from a registered psychologist. |
| January 1997 to April 1997 | Group facilitator for a 12-week process group for Masters students in training in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. The course instructor, a registered psychologist, provided supervision and taught group psychotherapy dynamics to the Masters students. |
| September 1996 to April 1997 | Doctoral supervision training at New Westminster Counselling Centre, New Westminster. Observed individual and couple counselling sessions and provided supervision to six counsellors in training. |
| June 1995 to May 1997 | Group facilitator for on-going support group for men and women who were HIV positive, Friends for Life, Vancouver. Group concentrated on providing support and education, and increasing emotional experiencing to work with existential issues. |
| November 1991 to August 1998 | Support worker for mentally challenged individuals, Proactive Community Services Society, Steveston. Concentration on behavioural interventions and teaching general life skills. Maintain monthly progress reports and participate in case review meetings with social workers, behaviour modification therapists, and school staff. |
| October 1995 to March 1996 | Counsellor at HV Psychological Consultants, Vancouver.nCounselled individuals who were on parole and experiencing drug and alcohol problems. Focus on cognitive interventions. |
| September 1995 to April 1996 | Doctoral clinic in individual therapy at Canada Employment and Immigration Centre, Vancouver. Concentration on a feminist, client-centred counselling approach with women. |
| September 1994 to April 1995 | Masters practicum in individual, couples, and group counselling at Burnaby Alcohol and Drug Program, Burnaby. Concentration on brief therapy for substance abuse and co-dependency issues. |
| September 1993 to April 1994 | Masters clinic in individual therapy at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Focus on incorporating a developmental perspective and applying various psychodynamic principles to case conceptualization. |
| October 1987 to May 1989 | Volunteer phone counsellor at the Vancouver Crisis Centre. Participated in a 5-week training program dealing with suicide assessment and prevention. Covered phone shift once a week and provided brief support to callers. Often referred clients to various resources available in ‘The Red Book.’ |
Teaching Experience
| September 2006 to present | Sessional Instructor in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Supervised M.A. and Ph.D. students in clinical training at New West Counsellor Training Centre. |
| September to December 2001 | Sessional Instructor in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Taught undergraduate course in basic counselling skills (Counselling Psychology 362). |
| September to December 2000 | Sessional Instructor in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Taught undergraduate course in basic counselling skills (Counselling Psychology 362). |
| June to July 1998 | Sessional Instructor in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Taught undergraduate course in basic counselling skills (Counselling Psychology 362). |
| September to December 1997 | Sessional Instructor in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Taught undergraduate course in basic counselling skills (Counselling Psychology 362). |
| July to August 1997 | Sessional Instructor in the Department of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Taught undergraduate course in basic counselling skills (Counselling Psychology 362). |
Research Experience
| October 1996 | Health Sciences Competition at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Observed one-day interdisciplinary competition and wrote qualitative analysis of group dynamics. Report used as part of review process. |
| January 1991 to December 1991 | Developmental research assistant employed by Dr. Michael Chapman in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Responsible for organizing research and collecting data at various local daycares. |
| March 1989 to May 1990 | Forensic research assistant employed by Dr. Robert Hare in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. Participated in a variety of research projects involving the study of criminal psychopaths. Received training to score the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL). Interviewed participants and collected data at the Forensic Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic as part of a large-scale study. |
Academic Awards & Distinctions
| 2003 | Canadian Psychological Association distinguished dissertation award for 2002-2003 for doctoral dissertation titled, Can counter transference manifestations be identified during therapy sessions? |
| 1990 | Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference. Poster presentation received first place prize from the Criminology section. |
| 1986 | University of British Columbia scholarship for scoring in the top 10 percent of the faculty for the year. |
Paper Presentations
| De Vita, E.L. (August, 1997). Assessing the generalizability of the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Poster session presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois. |
| De Vita, E.L. (May, 1996). The status of gender stereotypes. Paper presented to working group at Counselling Congress Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. |
| De Vita, E.L., & Hare, R.D. (1990). Psychopathy and family background. Poster session presented at the Canadian Psychological Association Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario. |
Theses
| De Vita, E. L. (2002). Can countertransference manifestations be identified during therapy sessions? Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. |
| De Vita, E.L. (1995). Assessing the generalizability of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI): A replication of the BSRI's item selection procedures. Unpublished master's thesis, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. |
Professional Training/Workshops
| November 15-16, 2014 | Complex Integration of Multiple Brain Systems in Psychotherapy: Unconscious Anxiety and Unconscious Shame, Vancouver, Beatriz Winstanley Sheldon, M.Ed. and Albert Sheldon, MD |
| December 7, 2013 | Integrating Hypnosis and Attachment Disorders, Vancouver, Dr. Daniel Brown, Ph.D. |
| October 25-27, 2013 | R.D. Laing in the 21st Century: A Weekend Symposium addressing R.D. Laing’s legacy and contemporary relevance in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of his death, Wagner College Staten Island, NY. |
| June 7-8, 2013 | States of Mind, States of Being, Vancouver, Michael Parsons, BPS, and Mary Brady, SFCP. |
| June 1-2, 2013 | LaConference: Sixty Years After Lacan: On the Symbolic Order in the Twenty-First Century, Vancouver, Simon Fraser University. |
| May 11, 2013 | Animating the Frame, Vancouver, Western Branch Canadian Psychoanalytic Society, Peter Goldberg, Ph.D. |
| April 19, 2013 | Mental Health: An Endangered Concept? Richmond, BC, Nancy McWilliams, Ph.D., ABPP |
| January 26, 2013 | Relating, Using and Encountering – aspects of the analytic couple through the lenses of Freud, Winnicott and Buber, Vancouver, John Elliott, MD, FRCPC.. |
| November 17, 2012 | Female Sexual Dysfunction: Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment from a Psychological Perspective, Vancouver, Lori A. Brotto, Ph.D., R. Psych. |
| October 6, 2012 | Tension Release Exercises (TRE) based on David Berceli’s work, Vancouver. |
| March 31, 2012 | Who Can Be Therapeutic Together, And If So, How? The Specificity Of Process In Psychotherapy, Vancouver, Howard Bacal, MD. |
| October 15-16, 2011 | Ferenczi’s Contribution to Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Vancouver, Western Branch Canadian Psychoanalytic Society. |
| October 2008 to August 2013 | Dream Analysis Training (Monthly Study Group), Vancouver, Dr. Bonnelle Strickling. |
| December 2008 to February 2009 | Dream Analysis Training (6 Week Study Group), Vancouver, Andrew Feldmar. |
| October 15-16, 2007 | Ferenczi’s Contribution to Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Vancouver, through the Western Branch Canadian Psychoanalytic Society. |
| September 29-30, 2007 | Advanced Jungian Concepts, Sidney, BC, John D. Betts, M.A. and Karen Evers-Fahey, M.S.N., Ph.D. |
| May 11, 2007 | Developing Competence in Ethical Practice in a Diverse World, Vancouver, Dr. Melba Vasquez. |
| February 10, 2007 | Collaborative Couple Therapy: Turning Fights into Intimate Conversations, Vancouver, Dr. Daniel B. Wile, Ph.D. |
| November 21, 2006 | Fulfillment and Meaning in Life: An Introduction to Existential Analysis (Part II), Vancouver, Dr. Alfried Langle. |
| October 2005 | Physician’s Health Program Annual Conference, Vancouver. Doctors Treating Doctors. |
| May 2005 | Compassion Fatigue, Hollyhock, Cortes Island. One week intensive group training with experienced psychologists Dr. Patricia Wilensky and Andrew Feldmar. |
| December 2004 | Trial Lawyers Conference. Pain, Sleep and Depression: Litigating cases and treating patients with chronic pain. Presentations on treatment and legal issues pertaining to clients with catastrophic injuries. |
| November 2004 | Western Canadian Conference on Addictions, Richmond. Seminar and panel discussions on harm reduction treatment models. |
| October 2002 to March 2003 | Psychotherapy Study Group. Participate in monthly seminars on psychotherapy. Facilitated by psychologists Andrew Feldmar and Patricia Wilensky. |
| November 2001 | Brain Injury Conference, Vancouver. Presentations and panel discussions on treatment and legal issues pertaining to clients with brain injuries. |
| November 2000 | Brain Injury Conference, Vancouver. Presentations and panel discussions on treatment and legal issues pertaining to clients with brain injuries. |
| October 2000 to February 2001 | Advanced group training with Dr. Patricia Wilensky and Andrew Feldmar, Vancouver. Forty hours of intensive exploration of group process and dynamics. Participated in experiential learning. |
| June 2000 | Therapeutic Enactment Training. Participated in 5 day advanced group therapy training with Dr. Patricia Wilensky and Dr. Marv Westwood. Focus on developing advanced group leader skills. |
| November 1999 | Brain Injury Conference, Vancouver. Presentations and panel discussions on treatment and legal issues pertaining to clients with brain injuries. |
| May 8-9, 1999 | Pain Symposium, Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Vancouver. Series of lectures and workshops on pain and pain management by interdisciplinary professionals. |
| November 1998 | Brain Injury Conference, Vancouver. Presentations and panel discussions on treatment and legal issues pertaining to clients with brain injuries. |
| March 25-27, 1998 | Psychodrama Training. Participated in 30 hours of advanced group therapy training with Dr. Patricia Wilensky and Dr. Marv Westwood. Focus on developing advanced group leader skills. |
| December 4-5, 1997 | Cognitive Therapy Workshop, Vancouver. Participated in two-day training in cognitive therapy with Dr. Christine Padesky. The focus of the workshop was on maximizing therapeutic gains in short-term therapy. |
| November 20, 1997 | Constructing the Sexual Crucible, Vancouver. Attended a one-day professional workshop on marital and sexual therapy with Dr. David Schnarch. |
| August 16, 1997 | Assessment of Personality Disorders: Issues and Instruments, Chicago. Attended one day continuing education workshop with Dr. Thomas Widiger offered at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association. |
| May 8-10, 1997 | Psychodrama Workshop, Vancouver. Participated in three days of advanced group training with Dr. Patricia Wilensky and Dr. Marv Westwood. Focus of the training was on the power of re-enactments of the past. |
| May 4-5, 1997 | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), School of Adlerian Psychology, Vancouver. Received Level I training in EMDR with Dr. Lois Rosine, EMDRIA approved trainer. This intervention is often used when working with survivors of trauma. |
| November 29, 1996 | Family Day Workshop, Department of Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Attended a series of lectures relating to counselling with couples and families. Topics included: Ethics in Family Counselling, Counselling Stepfamilies, Counselling Same-Sex Couples, Couples Counselling After a Disabling Injury. |
| March 1995 to May 1995 | Advanced group training with Dr. Patricia Wilensky and Andrew Feldmar, Vancouver. Ten weeks of intensive exploration of group process and dynamics. Participated in experiential learning. |
| June 1994 to August 1994 | Advanced group training with Dr. Patricia Wilensky and Andrew Feldmar, Vancouver. Ten weeks of intensive exploration of group process and dynamics. Participated in experiential learning. |
| March 1994 | One-day workshop with Sandra Butler, Jewish Family Services, Vancouver. Focus on trauma and recovery from sexual abuse. |
| November 1994 | 1994tThree-day workshop with Bob Finley, Justice Institute, Vancouver. Introduction to solution-focused counselling. Focus on applying principles with individuals who struggle with substance abuse. |
Professional Affiliations
| November 2005 – present | British Columbia Psychological Association. |
| June 2004 – present | College of Psychologists of British Columbia. |
| May 2004 – present | Canadian Psychological Association |
| February 1997 – 1999 | American Psychological Association. |
| November 1996 – 1998 | Western Canada Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association. |
| May 1996 – 2004 | British Columbia Association of Clinical Counselors. |