Depression Screening and Diagnosis in BC

I am often asked about on-line depression, anxiety, ADHD and autism screening tools, and usually warn against their use. The reasons are simple: A diagnosis of depression, anxiety, ADHD or Autism is a difficult thing. In the popular press you read about the problems with "misdiagnosis" all the time, and that is usually because a physician or psychologist haven't taken the time to do a comprehensive differential diagnosis - that is, they haven't attempted to "rule out" other disorders. What looks like depression can be any number of things, including something as simple as the need for a change in sleep habits or diet. But to determine that takes time and a comprehensive history. That takes time and expertise. So I always urge patients to "see your doctor." That being said there is still a cry for some sort of quick screen, and I have found one provided by "heretohelp" in BC to be especially useful, as it allows to to take the information you have put into the screener, print it, and take it with you to the doctor.  Here is the website to use the screener:

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/screening/online/?screen=depression

Heretohelp (or here to help's) online screener for depression is first of all anonymous. It doesn't record anything that can identify you as the person completing the form. It takes you through several steps: 1) You provide some information about you , such as gender and age, that are important because it will compare your answers to other questions with norms for gender and age, which change, 2) It then directs you to a type of screener based upon this information - there are different depression screeners for different groups, 3) You will answer questions about your symptoms, and depending upon how you answer these it may direct you to other questions you were not expecting about, for instance, mood disorders or mania, which are important to help with the "rule out" we just discussed, 4) Your results will be shown on the screen and you can print this out and take it to your medical provider.  Remember - an accurate diagnosis for depression or any other psychiatric disorder can only be made by a qualified medical doctor or psychologist! You need a medical examination to rule out many possible causes of your symptoms, but bringing this printout along with you can be very helpful for your physician to know what exams or tests he or she you administer.

Don't diagnose yourself. Don't let your friends diagnoses you because they "know someone with depression" or have had a psychiatric disorder themselves. See your licensed or registered medical professional.

For information about my services as a registered and licensed psychologist please visit my weebsite at www.relatedminds.com  I provide both diagnostic services and treatment interventions for depression, anxiety, ADHD and related disorders.


Dr. Jim Roche
Registered Psychologist

Couple Counselling and Marriage Counselling: Beginning with Gottman Couples Therapy

Where to start with Gottman Couples Therapy? I often suggest at our first couples/marriage therapy session that both members take a look through John Gottman's YouTube page and view several videos. Reading a book, especially while having relational problems, isn't easy.  And sometimes when we are reading about about behaviour, and we are reading it because of problems we are having with our spouse, we read and do little more than find what's wrong with them! - watching these videos, together - can be helpful.

Having trouble in a relationship means examining both yourself and the relationship. A difficult thing to do. And it means making some behavioural changes NOW, because our partners expect us to make some effort...right away. And they are watching. And trying to make changes themselves. All of this can be difficult and usually calls for the coaching and guidance of a professional training in couple and marriage therapy.

Still, watching the video of John Gottman and his wife working through these issues with others can be very helpful, and you will feel the support of having others in the same place as you...moving forward.

This video is only one of several on the internet. There are also videos that are more comprehensive and come in a "marriage and family workshop" format that formally walk you through the important steps of therapy. As a marriage and family therapist it is my goal to help you find resource and skills you can use on your own to address problems not only now, but in the future, and I work as quickly as possible at moving you from weekly sessions to a more informal coaching relationship were you can work on your relationship or marriage on your own. These videos are a great place to start.



In marriage or couples therapy sessions we work through many of the issues you will hear about on these videos. We also focus, intensely, on changing they way you interact and communicate in yor relationship.

Other books and videos I suggest about Marriage and Couples counselling can be found at my Amazon.ca Book List. Click here Dr. Roche Book Suggestions

Finally, for more information about my services, not only as a Registered Psychologist but also as a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist you can visit my web site directly at this link: Dr. Jim Roche at RelatedMinds  My American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy site is located at this link: AAMFT.

For those viewing the videos I also share an outline to help you understand the terms and components of what Dr. Gottman is speaking about.

Feel free to contact me for more information.

Dr. Jim Roche

Marriage and Couple Therapy: Burnaby / Vancouver

Marriage and Family Therapists: The Friendly Mental Health Professionals

I am often called and asked if I will see someone, or a couple, for "couple's therapy," or "marriage counselling."  Most of these calls are because I am a psychologist, and there is an assumption that every mental health professional has the same training and experience and can see anyone. This isn't necessarily so, as marriage and family therapy is a separate field of study and every US State and most Canadian provinces actually license or registered therapists in the field of marriage and family therapy.

Luckily , in addition to my license as a psychologist I am also a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist in British Columbia, and a Fellow and Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (BCAMFT and AAMFT).  

A marriage therapist usually holds a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy, and has completed one or two years of full time supervised clinical internship in marriage and family therapy.  This includes60 semester hours of work focused on marriage and family therapy. Most "clinical counsellors" and psychologists have taken one or two courses in this area, and would not qualify to registration in marriage and family therapy.  This doesn't mean they don't have the clinical ability or experience to do marriage and family therapy, but it good to know that there are specially certified experts in the field, many of whom ARE psychologists.

To find a listing of Registered / Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists near you, including those who are additionally Registered / Licensed Psychologist, go to the "Find a Therapist" website of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists by clicking here: http://www.therapistlocator.net/iMIS15/therapistlocator/

To find out more about the differences between the various mental health professionals you can also visit this page, which explains what marriage and family therapists are in comparison to other mental health professionals. Click here: http://www.therapistlocator.net/IMIS15/Content/Consumer_Updates/Marriage_and_Family_Therapists.aspx

Briefly, from that page, you will see that: "Marriage and family therapists are mental health professionals with a minimum of a master’s degree and two years supervised clinical experience. Marriage and family therapists (commonly referred to as MFTs or family therapists) are trained and licensed to independently diagnose and treat mental health and substance abuse problems. Marriage and family therapy is one of the core mental health disciplines and is based on the research and theory that mental illness and family problems are best treated in a family context. Trained in psychotherapy and family systems, marriage and family therapists focus on understanding their clients’ symptoms and interaction patterns within their existing environment. MFTs treat predominantly individuals, but also provide couples, family and group therapy. Whomever the client, Family Therapists treat from a relationship perspective that incorporates family systems."

For more information about my practice as a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists you can visit my web page here: http://www.relatedminds.com/couple-family-therapy/ or my home page at http:www.relatedminds.com

I can also be reached at my office by calling 778.998-7975