Dr. Joan Pinkus

Dr. Joan Pinkus is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia. She holds a B.A. (Hons. Psych.) from the University of Montreal, an M.A. (Psychology) from University of Toronto and a Ph.D. (Psychology) from the University of Toronto. Dr. Pinkus also maintains professional memberships with the British Columbia Psychological Association (BCPA), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (CRHSPP), and the American Psychological Association (APA). She is also affiliated with the Learning Disabilities Association (BC) and the Gifted Children's Association of BC. Dr. Pinkus has held adjunct appointments at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

Dr. Pinkus has maintained a private practice in Vancouver for over 20 years. She offers short and long term psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Her approach combines psychodynamic principles with insight-oriented therapy and applied techniques to help the individual, couple or family gain more understanding of the emotions and behaviours that contribute to their discomfort.

Dr. Pinkus conducts detailed psycho-educational assessments to help determine individual learning styles and needs of children, as well as adults. Many individuals experience learning challenges due to a learning disability that has not been identified or has been misdiagnosed as a behaviour or attention problem. With a thorough assessment, the individual's learning style, strengths and weaknesses can be better understood so that effective learning can occur. Dr. Pinkus provides initial and follow-up assessments that extend from pre-school to post-secondary studies.

Dr. Pinkus has professional interest and expertise in the area of gifted learners and their needs. In addition to conducting an assessment to determine giftedness, she consults with parents, school personnel and other professionals to help develop appropriate academic programs and social experiences for the individual child, adolescent or young adult.

Dr. Pinkus has presented to many parent, teacher, professional groups and the media about a variety of psychological issues. Her most recent presentations include topics such as parenting, giftedness, separation and divorce, perfectionism and procrastination.

Dr. Pinkus maintains a full time private practice and sees clients from all over the province. She also provides consultations and supervision to other professionals regarding psychological and educational needs, and will provide referrals to other practitioners as required.

Formerly, Dr. Pinkus worked in various community-based agencies, including a secure facility for psychologically unstable adults, a residential treatment centre for children and adolescents, and the British Columbia Children's Hospital, where she held clinical, teaching and administrative positions.