Gabriela Ionita

Position: Instructor

Department: Psychology/Social Science

Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences

Office: NW N3444

Email: ionitag1@douglascollege.ca

Education and Credentials

  • Ph.D., Counselling Psychology, McGill University
  • M.A., Counselling Psychology, Simon Fraser University
  • B.A., Psychology Honours, Simon Fraser University
  • R. Psych (BC College of Psychologists)

Academic and Professional Profile

Gabriela Ionita, PhD is a part-time faculty member in the Psychology Department at Douglas College, where she teaches the counselling focused courses. Her teaching philosophy revolves around a student-centric approach, where she aims to tailor her teaching to meet the diverse needs of students. She is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for their academic and professional growth.  

Gabriela has a strong focus on clinical practice, mental health treatment, and neurodiversity, and is deeply committed to research and education in these vital areas. More specifically, she has a great interest in the factors related to successful outcomes in therapy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, and anxiety disorders. 

In addition to her academic role, Gabriela is the founder of Nova Mental Health (https://www.novamentalhealth.ca/

Counselling (RCC, RSW) and Psychology (Psychologist) Services for Children, Teens, Adults, and Couples with anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD, tics, and other struggles. We use CBT, ERP, ACT, EFT, and other approaches to therapy. In North Vancouver, Vancouve

Nova Mental Health, located in North Vancouver, offers counselling and psychological services to children, youth, adults, and couple. We specialize in anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and stress.

www.novamentalhealth.ca

) in North Vancouver, where she works as a Registered Psychologist and the Clinical Director. Her clinical experience enriches her teaching and helps guide her research. 

Teaching Concentrations

Courses

  • PSYC 3375
  • PSYC 4370

Research/Clinical Activities

Research Interests: Practice Research Networks; Psychotherapy Process Research; Progress or Outcome Monitoring in Psychotherapy; Factors Impacting Therapy Outcome; Childhood Development.

Clinical Interests: Child and Adolescent Therapy; Anxiety, Depression; OCD; PTSD; Self-Injury; ADHD; Family Interactions; CBT; Narrative; Play, Sand, and Art Therapy.

Open to Supervising Honours Students for 2022-23: YES

Professional Affiliations and Community Service 2019 - present, Member, College of Psychologists of BC

Hobbies and Interests

Hiking, Biking, Swimming, and watching Netflix

Selected Refereed Publications:

Ionita, G., Fitzpatrick, M., Tomaro, J., Chen, V., & Overington, L. (2016) Challenges of using progress monitoring measures: Insights from practicing clinicians. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(2), 173, DOI: 10.1037%2Fcou0000122

Ionita, G., & Fitzpatrick (2014). Bringing science to clinical practice: A Canadian survey of psychological practice and usage of progress monitoring measures. Canadian Psychology, 55(3), 187-196, DOI: 10.1037/a0037355

Knowls, M., Ionita, G., Tomaro, J., & Fitzpatrick, M. (2016). Progress Monitoring Measures: The interaction of clinician initial motivation with selection and maintenance issues. Psychology 7(3), 444-458, DOI: 10.4236/psych.2016.73046.

Overington, L., & Ionita, G. (2012). Progress Monitoring measures: A brief guide. Canadian Psychology, 53 (2), 82-92, DOI: 10.1037/a0028017

Ross, D. F., Ionita, G., & Stirman, S. W. (2016). System-wide implementation of routine outcome monitoring and measurement feedback system in a national network of operational stress injury clinics. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 43(6), 927-944, DOI: 10.1007/s10488-016-0749-y