About Me

I am a therapist, researcher, speaker and writer. I love to help see people grow, heal, change, and come into more fullness in themselves and their relationships. I am passionate about the well-being of all people, and want to make psychology and academic research accessible to a wide variety of people.

My passion in counselling is create a relationship built on safety, trust, and hope, where people feel accepted and challenged to grow in new and meaningful ways. I consider it a privilege to be able to walk with someone through their fears, challenges, and hurts, and help them experiencing healing and restoration.  For this reason, I see counselling as an opportunity to help people diminish pain and suffering, cope with the challenges of life (both normal and extraordinary), and experience increased joy, purpose, and self-acceptance.

I hold a PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, as well as Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology. I am a Registered Psychologist (R.Psych.) in good standing with the College of Psychologists of BC, and a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. I enjoy working with adults with various issues, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, body image, life transitions, mother-daughter relationships, and perinatal mental health including birth trauma.  While I have training as a generalist, I have advanced skills and training in the areas of trauma, eating disorders, body image, and marriage and relationship therapy, perinatal mental health, and psychedelic integration.
 I am skilled at using a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, including AEDP, attachment work and depth-oriented psychotherapy, IFS and parts work, cognitive-behavioural therapy, emotion-focused therapy, various trauma and body-based therapies, feminist approaches to mental health and therapy, EMDR, Lifespan Integration, OEI, mindfulness, inner child and parts work, and meaning and insight based therapies. However, I tailor my approach based on the specific goals and strengths of the client, so that each person experiences therapy that is a good fit for them. All the therapy I do is evidence-based and is designed to be empowering, with a focus on de-pathologizing the person.

I find it important as a clinician to be engaged in research which can provide information on how to best help people experience well-being and thriving. This helps me stay updated with current information and approaches, and reminds me that I help other people grow best when I continue to find ways to grow myself. For my research in the area of women’s postpartum mental health, healthy body image development and eating disorder prevention, and women’s sexual health, I have been recognized by the Canadian Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association (Section for the Advancement of Women), the Looking Glass Foundation. In 2017 I was selected for the Young Investigator Award by the Taylor and Francis Publishing group for my research and academic work published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy as a young researcher. I like to conduct research that is meaningful, and then find ways to present that to people in both academic and non-academic ways which are practical, accessible, meaningful and enriching. 

Photography credit: Lily Glass

Want to book Hillary for a speaking engagement? Let's get in touch.
How to Book
Hillary L McBride When we are struggling in life, feeling stuck, hurt, confused, or alone, we all deserve a place to talk with someone who we know will not judge or shame us, but instead who will walk alongside us and help us create change, finding our hope and strength.
Professional Affiliations

British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
Canadian Psychological Association
American Psyhological Association
South Community Birth Program
South Hill Family Health Centre
Altus Psychological Services
Becker Burrows and Associates
University of British Columbia
Ladiesman

Contact
Hillary L McBride, PhD
Registered Psychologist
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Counselling. Speaking. Writing. Research
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