The program is currently NOT accepting new patients.
Who We Are: Our psychiatric residents are medical doctors enrolled in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Psychiatry residency program. They offer specialized psychodynamic therapy under the supervision and guidance of Dr. Joachim Sehrbrock. This service provides a unique opportunity for individuals to access professional, long-term psychotherapy at no cost.
What is Psychodynamic Therapy? Psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals gain deeper self-understanding. This therapy explores how past experiences influence present feelings, behaviours, and relationships. Through a collaborative and supportive relationship with your therapist, psychodynamic therapy aims to provide insight into unconscious patterns, resolve emotional conflicts, and support meaningful personal growth. To learn more about psychodynamic therapy, click here.
What to Expect from Treatment:
- Comprehensive Assessment: Your therapy will begin with a thorough assessment that helps your therapist understand your current challenges, personal history, and emotional health.
- Diagnosis and Treatment Goals: The assessment process will include diagnosing your strengths and challenges based on which you and your therapist will then collaboratively establish a clear and personalized path for therapy that includes specific therapy goals.
- Long-Term Commitment: This therapy program asks that you make a commitment of two years of therapy, allowing for deep self-reflection and lasting therapeutic change.
- Session Format: You will typically meet weekly with your therapist for 50-minute sessions. Sessions will be recorded to ensure the highest standards of supervision and care.
- High Ethical Standards: All therapy sessions and interactions are conducted with the highest ethical standards, in line with medical and psychological best practices.
Is Psychodynamic Therapy Right for You? Psychodynamic therapy may be suitable if you:
- Seek to explore and understand your emotional life and behaviourral patterns deeply.
- Experience recurring difficulties in relationships or emotional challenges that seem connected to your past.
- Are committed to investing in long-term therapy to achieve meaningful and lasting personal insight and change.
Cost and Commitment: This two-year psychodynamic therapy program is offered free of charge, reflecting our commitment to accessible mental health care.
Selection Process: Please note that there is no formal waitlist for this program. Instead, patients who express interest are entered into a pool from which psychiatric residents select a long-term therapy patient. Each year, approximately 2-3 residents participate in this program, and each typically has 1 opening. Because residents begin screening at varying points throughout the year, we are unable to offer a predictable timeline for when your name may be considered.
Selection is based on clinical factors and how well a patient’s needs align with the resident’s current training goals. This process is not a reflection of the importance or legitimacy of any individual’s concerns, and all interested patients are considered equitably. You are also welcome to pursue other therapy options while remaining in the pool, and you may withdraw your interest at any time.
How to Get Started: For further details, including therapist availability, please contact Dr. Sehrbrock directly. He can provide more information, answer your questions, and help determine whether this therapy approach aligns with your needs.