Dr. Sankar (she/her) is a registered psychologist in the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. She offers virtual services to clients located across B.C. and Ontario. Dr. Sankar received her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Western Ontario in London, ON, and completed her pre-doctoral residency at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, NS. Her post-doctoral fellowship was completed at the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Centre of Vancouver. Dr. Sankar is highly trained in both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Much of Dr. Sankar’s career has been focused on working with adults with medical concerns and helping them learn to cope with the major life changes and emotional distress that can be associated with having a health condition. She has worked extensively in the area of chronic pain management and was previously the lead psychologist with the Complex Pain Program at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, B.C. Dr. Sankar also has significant experience working with a range of other acute and chronic medical issues including cancer, diabetes, and neurological conditions.
Dr. Sankar’s extensive training and experience in CBT and DBT allows her to work with clients with a variety of other primary concerns, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety (generalized anxiety, health anxiety, social anxiety)
- Adjustment disorders and stress management
- Severe emotion dysregulation
- Interpersonal difficulties and relationship issues
Dr. Sankar believes in creating a non-judgmental, validating, and collaborative therapeutic space for her clients that blends evidence-based treatment with a relatable and genuine style. It is her belief that treatment works best when the therapist and client work together. She primarily uses a CBT framework, but also believes in the benefit of integrating other approaches including DBT and acceptance and commitment therapy, as needed, to help clients reach their treatment goals most efficiently. Her ultimate goal is to help clients expand their personal toolbox of coping skills to reach the outcomes they desire and improve their quality of life.
Outside of work, Dr. Sankar is a mom of two who enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring new places through travel. She is passionate about the practice of psychology and advocating for evidence-based therapy in the community and currently serves on the board of directors for The Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CACBT).
Dr. Sankar is available for virtual appointments through secure and easy-to-use video conferencing. Appointments are available 6AM – 3PM PT/ 9AM – 6PM ET Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
