MONICA BHATTACHARJEE

BACKGROUND

My psychotherapeutic motto is to mobilize the best available strategies using the best available resources to bring about the most optimal results. My versatility combines diverse modalities such as Adlerian, existential, gestalt, person-centred approaches, CBT, Solution-focused and Family systems therapies. I am a strong advocate for holistic mind-body-spirit connections and am passionate about nutritional therapies and interventions that can have significant effects on mood and epigenetic expression. As well, I do not shy away from the spiritual dimensions of mental health and am knowledgeable about and receptive to a wide variety of spiritual traditions.

Having lived and worked in three continents and being a naturalized immigrant myself, I love intercultural exchanges and have a strong affinity for working with people from diverse cultures.

I have a rich and varied background in Education and Learning Support helping youth with a wide variety of neurodiverse orientations and mental health conditions.
My interdisciplinary doctoral work combined research from the fields of Education, Philosophy, Psychology, and Contemplative Inquiry laying the groundwork for an alternative educational framework aimed at greater psychological flexibility and emotional regulation.

I strongly believe that each of us has within ourselves most of the resources needed to become whole, purposeful, and powerful, and that the right kind of support can help us realize and celebrate that.

I am open to working with youth, adults, new and expectant mothers, immigrants, international students, as well as the elderly.

EDUCATION

• • PhD (2024): Simon Fraser University (Thesis: Wisdom based Practice-Inquiry: Toward Intersubjective Wellness in Diverse Intercultural Settings of Education and Mental Health)
  • Completed Coursework in Counselling Psychology (Research Designs and Methods, Ethics in Counselling Psychology, Principles of Psychopathology/ Abnormal Psychology, Theories of the Counselling Profession, Family and Marriage Systems, Group Processes and Dynamics)
  • M.Ed. (2013-2015) Simon Fraser University (Critical, Creative and Collaborative Inquiry)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Singapore (2008-2009), National Institute of Education (NIE)/ Nanyang Technological University

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certified Neuroscience Coach, IPHM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine)
• Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the Diet-Mental Health Relationship, CNP (Centre for Nutritional Psychology)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Training: Master the Core Skills and Competencies of CBT
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Made Easy: ACT for PTSD, Anxiety, Depression & Personality Disorders
• DBT Crash Course for Clinicians: 15 Core Techniques to Improve Emotional Regulation, Manage Distress and More
• Somatic Symptom Disorder and Functional Neurological Disorder. Continuing Professional Development, UBC.
• Perinatal Depression and Anxiety. Continuing Professional Development, UBC.
• Integrative Mind-Body Approach to Healing from Trauma and Complex PTSD. NICABM [Ongoing]
• Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Professionals (Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional/ CIMHP) [Ongoing]

LANGUAGES SPOKEN:

English, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu