Frequently Asked Questions

What training and experience does Dr. Samra have?

Dr. Samra has completed 11 years of undergraduate, graduate and clinical residency training. She obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Clinical-Forensic Psychology. She is a Registered Psychologist, duly qualified to practice under the regulations of the College of Psychologists of British Columbia. She has training and expertise in the assessment and treatment of children and adults. She has worked with children and adults in a variety of settings including outpatient psychiatric settings, inpatient psychiatric settings, medical centres, private rehabilitation centres and correctional settings. Further information on Dr. Samra’s training and experience is provided under the section on Training & Experience. Dr. Samra has been in full-time clinical, consulting and research practice since July 2002.

Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. Samra?

No, appointments can be made directly by contacting Dr. Samra at (778) 772-7560 or In some cases, a doctor’s referral may be needed for clients receiving full or partial reimbursement for therapy costs under an extended health care plan.

How long is the waitlist for an appointment?

An initial consultation appointment for therapy services can usually be scheduled within 1-2 weeks, depending upon client flexibility and level of need. The waitlist for assessment services may be 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of assessment required. Contact for details on current waitlist times.

Is an initial consultation appointment necessary?

Yes. The purpose of the initial consultation is for Dr. Samra to obtain background information on difficulties clients are experiencing to determine if she is the most appropriate person to provide treatment. In cases where there is not an appropriate fit for services, Dr. Samra will provide appropriate alternate referrals. At the end of the initial consultation session, Dr. Samra will provide a summary of a recommended treatment plan, including the recommended type of therapeutic approach and recommended number and frequency of sessions.

How many treatment sessions are needed?

The length of treatment depends upon the specific nature of the problem, the severity of the problem and the specific treatment goals that have been selected. Most clients need an average of 8 to 16 treatment sessions to experience significant therapeutic benefit. Sessions are initially booked on a weekly basis, and are reduced in frequency over time. Some clients may require less than 8 sessions, depending on their level of need and presenting issues. Others – for example those that are receiving Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – need to be seen for 24 sessions or more for treatment to be effective. Some clients prefer to work on issues on an intermittent basis (i.e., working on particular issues, taking a break from therapy to practice the skills they have learned and then returning at a later point). Some clients prefer less intensive, but ongoing support. For many clients and families, Dr. Samra services as a general practitioner (GP) psychologist, where clients are seen over time, on an as-needed basis.

Is psychological treatment confidential?

All communications with Dr. Samra, and all records relating to the provision of psychological services will not be released to any other person or organization without clients’ permission. It is usually helpful for Dr. Samra to be able to receive consent to speak with clients’ primary health care provider (e.g., family physician) and/or other professionals that are involved in client care (e.g., psychiatrist). The law places certain limits on the confidential nature of psychological services provided to clients. Typically these limits on confidentiality may arise if Dr. Samra perceives that there is risk of harm in situations such as the following:  If a client presents an imminent danger to him/herself or others, the law requires that steps be taken to prevent such harm; if a child is in need of protection a report must be filed with the appropriate agency or authority; if a vulnerable adult is abused or neglected a report may be filed with the appropriate government agency; or if a court orders the disclosure of records. In the rare event of any of these situations, Dr. Samra would, if appropriate, discuss her intentions before an action is taken, and disclosure of information would be limited to the minimum necessary to ensure safety.

What are Dr. Samra’s office hours?

Daytime, evening and limited weekend appointments are available, between the hours of 8:30am and 8:00pm.

Where is Dr. Samra’s office located?

Dr. Samra’s office is located in Yaletown, at the Mainland Medical Clinic located at 1061 Hamilton Street (between Nelson Street and Helmcken Street). Metered street parking is available in front of the Clinic. Parkades / open parking lots are also available within a few blocks of the Clinic.

What is Dr. Samra’s cancellation policy?

It is appreciated if as much notice as possible is provided in the event that a client cannot attend an appointment. Clients will be charged the full rate for time booked in cases where less than 24 hours cancellation notice is provided.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychologists are social scientists with training and expertise in human behavior and development; psychological health and well-being; assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological difficulties and disorders; and testing and evaluation of intellectual, cognitive and personality skills. A psychologist has a PhD in psychology and has completed a clinical residency in psychology. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed specialty training in psychiatric medicine. Although there are some similarities between psychology and psychiatry, there are also some important differences:  

• Psychology is founded on the study of the range of all human behavior - both normal and abnormal. Psychiatry has a more restricted focus on the treatment of emotional disorders.
• Psychologists focus on a range of causes and contributors to emotional difficulties, including the following: environmental/situational factors; thinking patterns and styles; personality factors; physiological function; behavioral patterns; and learning and childhood history. Psychiatrists view emotional problems as the result of some abnormality or malfunctioning of the human body (e.g., a chemical imbalance).
• Psychologists focus on helping individuals to control and change their own behavior and thinking patterns and to improve their coping skills as a primary method of treating problems. Psychiatrists prescribe medication as a primary means of impacting emotional function.

What is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavior therapy – or CBT – is an evidence-based treatment approach for a range of stress, mood and anxiety disorders. CBT is one of the most effective treatments for depression and anxiety difficulties, and is as effective as antidepressants in the short-term and more effective in the long-term in terms of preventing recurrence of symptoms. CBT is a time-limited therapy (8 to 16 sessions, on average) and focuses on helping clients to identify and makes changes with respect to the way that they think (“cognitive”) and the actions that they take (“behavior”).