about dr kristen silveira
Welcome to my psychology practice! My name is Kristen (she/her) and I am a dedicated and
down-to-earth psychologist.​​ For the past decade, I've been privileged to support people with their mental health, through psychological assessments, therapy, and research.
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I enjoy partnering with folks as they navigate the full breadth of human experience - from wading through painful feelings and vulnerable experiences, to strengthening connections with oneself and others, and reclaiming one's joy, purpose, and power in the world.
I'm passionate about the human capacity to live a full life in the face of trauma, loss, injury, illness, and adversity.
I am particularly skilled in working with folks who have experienced relational forms of trauma, including: childhood abuse and neglect, assault, traumatic loss, and trauma incurred through experiences of illness or injury and interactions with the medical system.
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I work with a diverse range of folks from BIPOC, LGBTQ2SIA+, and neurodivergent communities.
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Aside from my private psychology practice, I work on a public health team supporting young adults and their families with navigating psychosis and related mental health challenges. In my free time, I enjoy tinkering on the piano and exploring nature with my partner, son, and hilarious husky.
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​Feel free to read about my therapeutic methods and professional background below.
When you're ready to reach out, I'd be grateful to connect with you.
method
Holistic, humanistic, and effective therapeutic methods
Kristen's approach to therapy is humanistic first. This means that she fosters a warm,
non-judgmental, and collaborative relationship with her clients. She supports her clients to honour and understand their experiences, as well as to feel empowered to embrace their strengths, challenge themselves to their full potential, navigate ups and downs, and experience personal growth and healing. She hopes that her clients feel seen, valued, and held accountable to their greatest self.
Kristen has a holistic view of mental health. She helps her clients to nurture the connections between their mind, body, and environment. She is attuned to diverse factors - like lifestyle, culture, social systems, and identity - that may frame a person's experiences.
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​As a clinician-scientist, her work is grounded in people's lived experiences as well as psychological science. Kristen has a strong understanding of neuroscientific principles of healing. She draws from various evidence-based approaches, including: mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural, dialectical-behavioural, acceptance-and-commitment, and emotion-focused techniques. Moreover, she is skilled at tailoring therapy to each unique client's needs and desires.
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professional background
Training
Doctoral degree in clinical neuropsychology
Post-doctoral fellowship in psychosocial oncology
Kristen has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Victoria, which is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association. She specialized her training in the areas of trauma and neuropsychology (i.e., the science of the connections between brain and behaviour, and how these connections can go awry).
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She further completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology with the University of Calgary and the local cancer centre, where she had the privilege of supporting patients and their loved ones in coping with life-altering illness. ​​
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Kristen's training equips her with extensive hands-on expertise, enabling her to meet, honour, and empower clients in their unique mental health journeys.
​Certification
​Registered Psychologist #2832
As a Registered Psychologist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC, Kristen operates with integrity and professionalism. She values and adheres to ethical standards and applicable laws, and is in tune with best practices in mental health care.
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Kristen is also a​n experienced yoga teacher and trauma-informed yoga teacher trainer, with a RYT-200 certificate. This aspect of her background empowers her to weave somatic awareness and techniques into her work, and ultimately support her clients more holistically.
Experience
Diverse healthcare experiences
In her training and early career, Kristen has gained nearly 10 years of experience in hospital and community clinics in Victoria BC and Calgary AB. She has worked with a diverse range of people facing various mental, physical, relational, spiritual, and societal challenges.
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These experiences have enriched and broadened her perspective on healthcare, positioning her to better support her clients.
Research
Evidence-based practice
Kristen is a "clinician-scientist". She responsibly conducts, deciphers, and shares scientific research. She has an in-depth understanding of the scientific evidence that is used to develop and promote therapy techniques. This enables her to safely and effectively tailor techniques with her clients.
She is an innovative researcher in the areas of somatic therapies, trauma, and coping with physical and neurological illnesses. For instance, during her PhD, she developed a yoga therapy program for survivors of childhood trauma.
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Explore some of her peer-reviewed research on ResearchGate.
Specializations
Areas of Focus
While she enjoys supporting clients with various experiences, Kristen specializes in working with people who are navigating trauma, loss, injury, and illness.​
Upgrades
Lifelong learning
Kristen is grateful for opportunities to learn alongside her clients and colleagues. As well, she continuously upgrades her knowledge and skills through professional development and training.