Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Focused Psychological Services
Back in Motion delivers client centred, evidence-based treatment to address a variety of complex psychological conditions and associated disabilities.
About Psychological Treatment / Mental Health Services
Back in Motion Psychologists understand the rehabilitation process, and have significant experience in helping clients overcome barriers to a safe and secure return to work. We help our clients through the development and implementation of empirically validated, personalized, and goal-focused treatment plans that focus on helping clients better understand their problems and develop skills that help them achieve lasting, positive change. We work collaboratively with all stakeholders to help clients return to their pre-disability levels of functioning in personal, social, and occupational areas.
Our mental health professionals are highly skilled in working as part of a multidisciplinary team, and can supplement and enhance treatment plans by integrating mental health services with services provided by physical and/or vocational rehabilitation support professionals. Examples of supplementary services include Kinesiology and Physiotherapy for enhancing physical activation, re-conditioning, and physical rehabilitation; and Occupational Therapy to support both clients and employers in successful reintegration into the workplace.
Psychological Services are offered at all Back in Motion Health locations, as well as satellite offices in the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island. Services can also be provided throughout British Columbia via a secure video conferencing platform.
To learn more or make a referral, please contact us.
Psychological Assessment Services
Back in Motion offers a variety of psychological assessment services which are designed to provide comprehensive, detailed, and specific answers to questions related to psychological functioning, cognitive functioning, and vocational planning. . The goal of psychological assessment at Back in Motion is to provide our clients and customers with valid and reliable information which can help answer specific questions, document current functioning, and inform clear, specific, personalized, and practical recommendations.
Many of our assessments assist with successful vocational planning. These assessments are designed to help clients and customers explore options for vocational and training opportunities; and also to answer any specific questions related to the suitability of training or vocational options. These assessments use a strengths based approach to find a match between vocational interests, existing vocational skills, and psychological and cognitive functioning; in order to identify suitable work and training options. Sometimes these assessments also seek to determine if a psychological diagnosis is present, and if so, what impact this diagnosis might have on vocational planning. Back in Motion also provides standard psychological assessment services. These assessments provide diagnostic clarification, information on level of impairment and functional limitations, and offer treatment recommendations. Specific questions provided by the customer are also addressed.
Our team of psychologists at Back in Motion are dedicated to providing state of the art assessments which can assist our clients and customers in making evidence based, informed decisions about vocational rehabilitation, education and training, employment planning, access to supports, disability claim management, and treatment planning.
Some of the assessments we offer include:
- Psychological Vocational Assessment
- Psychological Vocational Assessment – Profile
- Psychological Vocational – Learning Disorder Assessment
- Psychological Vocational – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessment
- Psychological Vocational – Learning Disorder + ADHD Assessment
- Learning Disorder Assessment (Adults)
- ADHD Assessment (Adults)
- Psychological Assessment
- Independent Psychological Evaluation
Psychological Assessments are offered at all Back in Motion Health locations, as well as satellite offices in the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island. Services can also be provided throughout British Columbia via a secure video conferencing platform.
To learn more or make a referral, please contact us.
Meet Our Team of Mental Health Professionals
Dr. Kevin Whitfield | Director of Psychological Services, Registered Psychologist
Meet Dr. Kevin Whitfield
Dr. Whitfield completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a focus in Clinical Neuropsychology at Simon Fraser University. He completed his clinical residency at Riverview Hospital, which was part of the British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Consortium. While at Riverview, Dr. Whitfield worked extensively in the provision of neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment, as well as providing evidence based psychological, cognitive, and rehabilitative interventions to individuals with chronic and severe mental health difficulties. His training focussed on intervention and assessment with individuals with mood disorders, concurrent disorders and addictions, psychosis, and both acquired and developed neuropsychological and/or neurodegenerative impairments. Dr. Whitfield’s doctoral research focussed on recovery from concussion, and included the development and implementation of a novel treatment for chronic post-concussion symptoms at the clinical psychology centre at SFU. Doctor Whitfield is the co-author of a number of peer reviewed research papers which focus on recovery from mild traumatic brain injury, and he has won international awards for his research. Dr. Whitfield has been working with Back in Motion since 2007. Since that time Dr. Whitfield has prioritized the development and implementation of evidence based approaches to return to work focussed assessment and treatment services. Dr. Whitfield has worked in the Comprehensive Assessment Service, Customized Active Rehabilitation program, Occupational Trauma Program, InFocus Long Term Disability treatment service, and the Integrated Care Program. Dr. Whitfield currently manages and directs all psychological services provided at Back in Motion, including both assessment and treatment services; as well as provides supervision, consultation and mentorship for our team of psychologists, clinical consultants, psychotherapists, and clinical counsellors.
Dr. John MacDonald | Registered Psychologist
Meet Dr. John MacDonald
Dr. Jaime Williams | Registered Psychologist
Meet Dr. Jaime Williams
Dr. Williams graduated from the University of Regina’s Clinical Psychology program in 2008. Her focus is on health psychology, working with patients who have chronic pain and other health challenges to achieve their best daily function, including employment. Within this health population, often psychological difficulties in terms of depressed mood, panic, and anxious apprehension are common and she seeks to aid her clients in managing these difficulties. She works extensively with clients who have experienced traumatic events, like an automobile accident or workplace trauma, and complex traumas from repeated events in their past. She offers services to adults of various ages, having an interest in providing care to diverse BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations. She practices from a goal-oriented, cognitive-behavioural orientation, with emphasis on mindfulness and acceptance and commitment approaches. She worked in academia for several years, conducting research in the areas of health and aging and has published extensively in this area. Dr. Williams has been working with Back in Motion since 2022.
Dr. Jennifer Arpink | Registered Psychologist
Meet Dr. Jennifer Arpink
Dr. Ada Law | Registered Psychologist
Meet Dr. Ada Law
Dr. Jacqueline Oates | Integrated Care Program, Clinical Consultant
Meet Dr. Jacqueline Oates
Dr. Oates holds a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. She completed her clinical internship at Adler Community Health Services in B.C. providing trauma-informed group and individual psychotherapy (i.e., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to men and women participating in an intensive residential treatment program for substance abuse. She also conducted psycho-diagnostic and neuropsychological assessments to men and women in a variety of settings (e.g., Fraser Health, WorkBC, Mood Disorders Association) with diverse presenting issues (e.g., complex mental health, brain injuries, physical disabilities, chronic health problems). Her doctoral research focused on exploring outcomes of participating in an adjustment to vision loss group facilitated by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Jacqueline has a grounded understanding regarding the impact of trauma, substance abuse, and chronic health problems on one’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Dr. Oates joined the team at Back in Motion in 2021, and has worked in the InFocus and Integrated Care Programs, as well as Comprehensive Assessment Services.
Dr. Chelsey Cohen | Clinical Consultant
Meet Dr. Chelsey Cohen
Dr. Cohen completed a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She completed her clinical residency at the University of Victoria Counselling Services. While at UVic Counselling Services, Dr. Cohen provided evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phase of life, identity development, and relational issues. Dr. Cohen also led group counselling and provided career assessments. Dr. Cohen’s doctoral research focused on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and including the family system into recovery. Dr. Cohen is trained in cognitive-behavioural therapy and is experienced in mindfulness, exposure and response prevention, and works from a trauma-informed lens. Dr. Cohen is passionate about mental health and believes each person is capable of growth in order to meet their goals. Dr. Cohen has provided return to work-focused treatment services through the InFocus program at Back in Motion since 2020.
Dr. Christi Nagy | Clinical Consultant
Meet Dr. Christi Nagy
Shola Akingbala | Psychotherapist
Meet Shola Akingbala
Shola Akingbala is a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and an Ontario Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Shola utilizes an integrative approach in her therapy sessions which is based on evidence-based treatment such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Therapy, Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MCBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Counselling.
Shola has worked in the NHS in the UK for almost 10 years, working in a wide range of settings including mental health secure units, various community mental health services including Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. Shola also has experience with working with adults with complex mental health difficulties in Canada.
Shola constantly looks for opportunities to provide mental health support to individuals through her caring, empathetic, and attentive nature, providing a confidential space to help individuals to cope better with their difficulties. Shola is a firm believer in the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship in therapy and focuses on the here-and-now to facilitate change and provide helpful tools and skills to adjust thoughts and behaviours to become healthier and more in control.
Shola provides return to work focused treatment through the InFocus program. She joined the team at Back in Motion in 2022.
Rimal Sandhu | Registered Clinical Counsellor
Meet Rimal Sandhu
Rimal has a Masters of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology and has been working in the field of counselling as Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) since 2005. She is also a Canadian certified Vocational Rehabilitation Professional registered with the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals. Rimal has been working at Back in Motion since 2010. She has extensive experience working in return-to-work-focused environments. She has worked in the WSBC-sponsored Occupational Rehabilitation program, which is a multidisciplinary treatment program for clients with musculoskeletal injuries resulting from a workplace injury. In this role, she provides individual therapy services, typically based on Cognitive Behavioral Treatment and Motivational Interviewing, focusing on issues such as pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, and workplace difficulties. She also works in the Occupational Trauma Program, which is WorkSafeBC sponsored multidisciplinary treatment program designed to provide evidence-based interventions for clients with trauma-related disorders. She has been an integral part of the Survivors of Violence Counselling Program, which is employment readiness counselling program sponsored by WorkBC. Rimal takes great pride in providing counselling services in English and Panjabi in a culturally sensitive manner with cognitive behavioural, psycho-educational and solution focused approaches. Rimal has been providing return to work focused treatment services in the InFocus and Occupational Rehabilitation Programs since 2010.
Jandy Kim | Registered Clinical Counsellor
Meet Jandy Kim
Jandy completed her Master of Counselling degree at City University of Seattle and is registered with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. Jandy is a trauma-informed, functional analytic psychotherapist who has provided therapeutic services for Back in Motion since 2016 across multiple, return-to-work focused programs. In Survivors of Violence, a WorkBC employment readiness program, and the Occupational Trauma Response program, which is a WorkSafeBC return-to-work program for workers who experience psychologically traumatic injuries at work, Jandy has provided solution-focused, individual counselling support to help clients overcome the impacts of trauma including emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, and PTSD as well as improve their interpersonal skills, time management and goal setting. Jandy utilizes sensorimotor psychotherapy, somatic experiencing, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), to help clients process their traumatic experiences and improve their daily functioning. Jandy has also facilitated psycho-educational workshops for Back in Motion including Recognizing, Understanding, and Overcoming the Impacts of Abuse, Stress Management, Pain Management, and relaxation classes. Jandy has been providing return to work focussed treatment in the Resiliency Support Service, Standard Mental Health Service, Occupational Trauma Service and InFocus program since 2016.
Anita Petrovic | Registered Clinical Counsellor
Meet Anita Petrovic
Anita Petrovic has completed her Masters in Vocational Rehabilitation Counselling at UBC and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. At Back in Motion, she currently provides therapy services to both WorkBC clients and WorkSafeBC claimants to assist them in decreasing employment barriers and facilitating return-to-work readiness. Topics addressed include anxiety, pain, depression, interpersonal issues, and sleep and mood management. In addition to her educational background, Anita has extensive experience in the disability field, having worked as an Employment Counsellor/Case Manager for clients with various developmental and intellectual disabilities, along with facilitating psychoeducational groups on disability-related topics. She utilizes CBT, Rogerian, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches when structuring individualized treatment plans to help clients move forward in their employment goals. Anita enjoys working with clients of differing backgrounds and is able to establish rapport using a mixture of respect, humour, and empathy. Anita has been working with Back in Motion since 2017, and has provided return-to-work focused services in the comprehensive assessment program, InFocus program, and Occupational Rehabilitation. Program.
Heike Dumke | Registered Clinical Counsellor
Meet Heike Dumke
Heike holds a Master’s Degree in Applications in Clinical Psychology from Leicester University, UK, and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. She has provided rehabilitation services to Back in Motion clients within the context of various WorkSafeBC traumatic brain injury programs since 2008 while also providing services through private practice. With a background in neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience, her expertise lies in cognitive rehabilitation, which she has utilized in Back in Motion programs and private practice. In 2022, she became engaged in the Occupation Rehabilitation Program (OR2), and InFocus Program at Back in Motion, where she utilizes an eclectic approach to fit a client’s needs. Within this context, her approaches generally include CBT, Rogerian, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address any psychosocial challenges that may impede clients’ rehabilitative efforts and successful return to work. Heike has been providing return-to-work-focused treatment in the Occupational Rehabilitation and InFocus programs since 2022.
Mercedes Douglas | Registered Clinical Counsellor
Meet Mercedes Douglas
Mercedes obtained a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University in 2019. She is a Registered Clinical and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Mercedes has experience working with adults experiencing a diverse array of psychological, emotional, behavioural and social problems. Mercedes predominantly works from a client-centred, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy model and also utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy to help her clients meet their goals. Mercedes has been providing return-to-work focused therapy with Back in Motion since 2021.
Tiffany Chan – Registered Clinical Counsellor
Meet Tiffany Chan
Tiffany completed her Masters of Education Degree in Counselling Psychology, with a special focus in Vocational Rehabilitation Counselling, at the University of British Columbia. Tiffany has worked in the vocational rehabilitation field for over 17 years. In addition to Clinical and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselling, Tiffany is a qualified Expert Witness in Vocational Rehabilitation for the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She has experience in providing both medical-legal and non-medical legal vocational assessments, transferable skills analysis, and vocational counselling. She has significant experience in working on interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams comprised of medical specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, recreational therapists, and social workers. Tiffany has provided specialized vocational rehabilitation counselling to patients with a range of health issues, including acquired brain injuries including stroke, spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular skeletal conditions amputations, arthritis, and rheumatoid diseases. Tiffany worked with Back in Motion for over 11 years in various employment programs where she provided vocational rehabilitation counselling to clients with a wide range of disabilities (physical and mental health). Tiffany enjoys providing clinical and vocational rehabilitation counselling to clients, while providing a supportive, and non-judgmental environment for clients to feel safe to explore and work through their issues. She provides services using Client-centred, CBT, Solution-Focused, Mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing modalities.
Contact Us
Back in Motion Health Central Referrals
Phone: 604.424.9515 | Email: referrals@backinmotion.com | Fax: 604.424.9516
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