BC Cancer psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health.
Our psychiatrists help people manage a range of mental health concerns during cancer care. These include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Changes in personality
- Fear of treatment or illness
- Changes in thoughts or perception
- Managing and adjusting psychiatric medications during cancer treatment
Psychiatrists are fully trained medical doctors with specialized mental health training. In British Columbia, they must complete:
- 3-4 years of undergraduate university studies
- 4 years of medical school
- 5 years of psychiatry residency training
After training, all psychiatrists in BC must:
- Follow standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
- Complete continuing medical education every year
Our psychiatrists tailor care to each person's needs. They may use:
- Talk therapy (psychotherapy)
- Medication
- A combination of both
To see a BC Cancer psychiatrist, you need a referral.
You can ask one of the following to refer you:
- Your oncologist or family doctor)
- A nurse practitioner
- A BC Cancer counsellor
Your doctor or nurse practitioner can get referral forms by calling your nearest BC Cancer centre and asking for Psychiatry or Patient and Family Counselling.
Dr. Bates completed a PhD in neuroimaging at the University of Nottingham, followed by medical school and psychiatry residency at UBC. He trained further in psychosocial oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.
He researches brain imaging, artificial intelligence, psychotherapy and palliative care. He leads supportive care at BC Cancer and teaches as a clinical professor at UBC.
Dr. Burton completed medical school and psychiatry training at UBC. She focuses on psycho-oncology and psychotherapy.
She also works with a mental health team at Vancouver Coastal Health and in private practice.
Dr. Fernando trained in medicine at the University of Alberta and completed psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry training at UBC.
She supports adults of all ages, with special expertise in older adults. She also works at Vancouver General Hospital and teaches at UBC. She is the provincial medical director for psychiatry at BC Cancer.
Dr. Kobiljski completed medical school and psychiatry training at UBC. She also has a degree in biochemistry.
She focuses on:
- Mindfulness
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Psycho-oncology
She has advanced training in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and speaks Serbian.
Dr. Laidlaw trained at UBC and the University of Toronto. She has presented at international conferences and published on delirium screening, social media and professionalism. She has led psychiatry teams and developed care guidelines for vulnerable patients.
She teaches at UBC and focuses on collaborative care for patients in medical and cancer settings.
Dr. Lo completed her training at UBC. She has worked in mental health and sleep medicine.
Her interests include:
- Sleep disorders
- Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
She speaks Cantonese.
Dr. Montgomery trained at UBC in Vancouver and Victoria.
She focuses on:
- Psycho-oncology
- Perinatal psychiatry
- Groups and individual therapy
Dr. Nunez completed his MD, psychiatry training and a masters in computer science at UBC.
He focuses on:
- Psycho-oncology
- Complex mood disorders
His research uses artificial intelligence to improve mental health and cancer care.
Dr. Richford began her career in nursing before becoming a psychiatrist. She trained at UBC.
She has experience in:
- Psycho-oncology
- Addiction psychiatry
- Cardiac psychiatry
- Consultation-liaison psychiatry
She teaches at UBC and has held leadership roles in hospital psychiatry programs.
Dr. Ta trained at Dalhousie University and the University of Toronto.
He focuses on:
- Psychosocial oncology
- CALM therapy
- Psychodynamic, emotion-focused therapy and group therapy
He also has an interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Dr. Westwell-Roper completed an MD/PhD and specialized training in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry at UBC.
She works with:
- Adolescents and young adults (AYA)
- Families affected by cancer
She leads a psychiatry clinic at BC Children's Hospital, and conducts research on mental and physical health connections, and teaches at UBC.
Details unavailable.
Dr. Wong trained at UBC and received an award for teaching excellence. She also holds a master’s degree in neuroscience.
She supports patients in multiple languages, including Cantonese and Mandarin.
Collaborative care counsellor Leslie Warner is a registered clinical counsellor and part of the Psychiatry team. She works in a collaborative care model - an evidence-based approach that supports people with cancer who also face anxiety, depression or other emotional challenges.
She provides virtual care across BC and works closely with oncologists, psychiatrists and counsellors to support patients.
Leslie has nearly 10 years of experience in psychosocial oncology. Her training includes:
- Sexual health and cancer
- Couples therapy
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction
- Mindfulness-based self-compassion
