Derry Lubell, MSW, RSW
Therapy, an Opportunity Born of Necessity
There are certain critical times when having a therapist there beside you, dedicated to helping you deal with your problems, makes a tremendous difference. As your guide, I can help you make changes that will bring more joy and satisfaction into your life. Since everyone is unique, together we will find the approach that best suits you.
Therapy offers you both hope and the opportunity to make your necessary changes. As an experienced therapist with 35 years of advanced clinical training, I offer you a skilled and empathetic ear. When you talk, I listen.
My office provides a safe, secure and confidential setting. I see individuals, couples and families and am comfortable working with you regardless of your sexual orientation.
Words have Power
Often the process of naming something, just the act of putting it into words, lessens its power over us. Our job will be to help you identify and verbalize your feelings, to learn how to put them into words so as to be able to act more effectively.
Therapy helps to opens windows and doors in the protective walls we erect around ourselves. I will never push you to go beyond your comfort zone. What I provide is a safe and supportive place where you can take the risk of lowering your own protective walls.
Earlier in your life, you may have developed survival skills to help you deal with difficult or even terrifying experiences. Our job together is to determine which of these skills are still useful now and which have become unnecessary baggage that weighs you down.
Once you understand how your past experiences have affected you, you may become more accepting of who you are in the present. Therapy enables you to grieve for all your past unmet needs, so you can become who you want to be now.
Areas of Interest
I believe that it is possible for people to make positive changes in their lives, that therapy can and does work. Like many people who come to see me, you may be suffering from emotions and/or problems that affect how you feel, how you deal with other people, or how you function. Here are some examples of issues or concerns that we might work on together:
- Trauma and abuse - sexual, physical and emotional
- Couples concerns such as infidelity and communication problems
- Stress and changes in life roles
- Sexual identity questions
- Living with chronic illness in yourself or others
- Grief and loss – death, miscarriage, infertility
- Family difficulties with partners, spouses, children, and extended family
- Adoption-related issues
- Low self esteem, depression, anxiety
If you are experiencing these or other kinds of distress, feel free to contact me to discuss your concerns in more detail.
My Background and Training:
My professional experience includes 35 years of work in child and adult psychiatry, child welfare agencies, university settings, hospitals, and private practice. I also draw on my own experience in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. I have a Master's degree in Social Work as well as advanced training in:
- Couple counselling - Gottman and Communications approaches
- Trauma therapy - dealing with the effects of childhood sexual abuse as an adult
- Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
In addition to my private practice, I also am the administrator of a trauma treatment agency (RHAP), which provides therapy for people who were sexually abused as children, and I run an assessment and therapy program (PASTS) for the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Office:
My office is conveniently located between 6th and 7th Avenue on Burrard Street. There is free parking under the building. When you contact me, I will do my best to respond to you the same day. I look forward to our meeting.