Dr. Dagmar Bernstein, R.Psych.
Dr. Dagmar Bernsteinis a Registered Psychologist. In her clinical practice, she provides compassionate psychological treatment to children, adults, couples and families to enhance their skills and coping. Dr. Bernstein uses an individualized, integrative approach in her clinical work, employing evidence-based techniques, while considering the unique characteristics of the individual, couple or family. She works collaboratively, in partnership with her clients, to improve the quality of their lives, providing a safe, open, supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Dr. Bernstein has wide-ranging clinical experience in individual, family and group therapy, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). She has treated social, behavioural and emotional issues, mood disorders and anxiety disorders including separation anxiety, health anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, selective mutism, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Bernstein also has experience working with individuals, parents and families on issues including family conflict, behavioural concerns, and adjustment to illness, separation and divorce. Dr. Bernstein helps clients manage stress-related life transitions and has training and experience in working with loss, grief, chronic pain and health issues.
Dr. Bernstein works with couples and families from an attachment perspective, focusing on the dynamics and patterns within the dyad or family system. She is a member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT). Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach that is based on the science of adult love and bonding (attachment). In addition to her private practice at the North Shore Stress and Anxiety Clinic, Dr. Bernstein is a Clinical Associate of the Clinical Psychology Centre at Simon Fraser University and supervises the work of clinical graduate students.
With respect to background and training, Dr. Bernstein completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Simon Fraser University, receiving training in both child and adult assessment and therapy. Her clinical background includes training at B.C. Children's Hospital, the B.C. Ministry for Children and Family Development, the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre (a provincial tertiary facility for youth) and completion of a full-time CPA/APA accredited pre-doctoral residency year in Clinical Health Psychology through the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba. Her residency included major rotations in children's anxiety disorders, family and couples therapy, play therapy and complex child assessment, as well as minor rotations in adult eating disorders, clinical health psychology and chronic pain management. Dr. Bernstein has completed post-doctoral training at the Vancouver Couples and Family Institute and further post-doctoral training through the Institute of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). From 2010 to 2016, she provided outreach and telehealth services to the communities of Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
Dr. Bernstein appreciates the trust, courage and resilience of her clients and finds her work as a psychologist to be very meaningful. Outside of her work life, she loves spending time with her family and enjoys cooking, eating, reading, dancing and travel.
