My professional practice as a Registered Psychologist began in 1980. I work with individuals, couples, and families, and a wide range of presenting concerns (see Areas of Practice). I offer a balance of professionalism (extensive training, regulated practice) and personal qualities (compassion, attunement and respect).
I welcome the opportunity to help you make sense of what isn't working for you in your life or your relationships, and to assist you in making meaningful changes. As a Registered Psychologist, I adhere to the requirements for ongoing continuing education, and I follow the professional code of conduct of the College of Psychologists of BC.
I welcome the opportunity to help you make sense of what isn't working for you in your life or your relationships, and to assist you in making meaningful changes. As a Registered Psychologist, I adhere to the requirements for ongoing continuing education, and I follow the professional code of conduct of the College of Psychologists of BC.
Services
Our minds are influenced by genetics and environment. Innate capacities can be enhanced or inhibited by life experiences that shape expectations of self and others. Through counselling or psychotherapy, one can learn new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that can enhance one's capacity to lead a fulfilling life.
I completed my Doctor of Education from McGill University in 1990 in Educational Psychology and Counselling with a year of Family Therapy courses in the Faculty of Social Work. My doctoral research focused on adult attachment issues in people with difficulties sustaining intimate, committed relationships.
Every person is unique. When approaching symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, grief, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder or personality disorders, I want to know how the symptoms are experienced, severity and chronicity of symptoms, current circumstances, and developmental history. From this whole person in context starting point, I work together with you to achieve your treatment goals.
I offer individual therapy for people with disordered eating who do not require a team approach to treatment. People with more severe eating disorders require a multidisciplinary treatment team and program to counter the tenacity of eating disorder cognitions and behaviours and monitor for medical complications.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy derives from psychoanalysis, but also differs from traditional or classical psychoanalytic technique. The commonality is in the focus on conscious and unconscious motivations creating internal conflicts that manifest in symptoms. The therapeutic technique involves face-to-face talk therapy, at a regularly scheduled time and frequency.
Reviews (1)
Dr. Joachim Sehrbrock R. Psych
Jun 11, 2017
Report
I have known Dr. Marilyn Chotem as a fellow psychologist and colleague for several years and consider her one of the most competent psychotherapists I know. She is a senior psychologist with a wealth and breadth of experience that has doubtlessly changed, transformed, and touched the lives of countless individuals. Her tremendous kindness, trustworthiness, and warmth have made it a delight to work with her in various capacities. I have recommended Dr. Chotem’s psychotherapy services to many individuals and will continue to do so in the future.
Dr. Joachim Sehrbrock, R.Psych.
Dr. Joachim Sehrbrock, R.Psych.
