I always carry out a thorough assessment before engaging in psychological therapy. This involves a discussion about your current concerns, learning more about you and your lifestyle, and exploring your mood, stressors, relationship-related information, and general health, which includes medications. It is also very helpful to understand a little about your past, including past sexual concerns, previous medical and mental-health related factors, and significant events in your life. If a couple is seeking treatment together, then it is often very helpful to have a separate session with each member of the couple in addition to an interview with both partners present.

Sexual concerns often do not occur in a vacuum. Research indicates a strong influence of relationship-related satisfaction and difficulties on an individual’s sexual functioning. Because of this, it is often very useful for the therapy process to have both members of the couple present. This is not a requirement, however.

Absolutely. No information will be shared with any individual without the client’s written consent.

Often people seek psychological therapy when they are in crisis. A crisis can take approximately 6 months to resolve fully, so this might be an estimate for the number of months for therapy. However, depending on the frequency of our sessions, this may vary significantly. I have had experience successfully helping individuals with their distressing sexual concerns in as few as 3 sessions and at the other end of the spectrum, some individuals benefit more from a long-term approach.

My primary appointment is as a Researcher in the UBC Department of Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia. I see clients in my private practice in Port Moody, or online via Zoom, on Tuesdays from 4-8pm.

The mind and the body work in unison. Research has convincingly shown that thoughts and emotions can trigger physiological changes in the body. Moreover, medical health and difficulties with physical functioning or illness can directly affect mood and thought. In the area of pain, countless studies have shown a beneficial effect of psychological therapies in improving pain and improving the psychological suffering associated with pain. Thus, yes, psychological treatment has a very important role to play in improving health.

Insurance: Most extended benefits plans cover Registered Psychologist fees up to an annual maximum. You will be provided a receipt at the start of each session and you may submit that to your benefits plan for reimbursement.

Payment method: Dr. Brotto’s preferred method of payment is e-transfer. However, we also accept payment in cash or cheque Payment is due at the beginning of each session.