Psychology

Dr. Hannah Marchand is a registered clinical, health, and rehabilitation psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Dr. Marchand completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa. In 2009, she moved to Chicago, Illinois to complete her residency at Rush University Medical Centre. She has recently joined KOPI after completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre.

Dr. Marchand has extensive clinical and research experience and has worked as an integral member on multidisciplinary teams in various health psychology settings. Her research has primarily been in the area of behavioural medicine with a focus on patient motivation, health behaviour change, and program evaluation and development. She has also conducted research in sport psychology. Dr. Marchand's team-approach to psychotherapy empowers patients to use their own strengths and expertise in their own lives within the context of  evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Marchand is passionate about and dedicated to improving patient care. As a member of the KOPI team, Dr. Marchand provides psychological services that are tailored to the goals of the patient. Dr. Marchand's practice is currently open for new patients.

What is a Clinical, Health, and Rehabilitation Psychologist?

Dr.Marchand's background as a psychologist has been in the area of clinical, health, and rehabilitation psychology. What is clinical health psychology? In simple terms, it is how the interaction between your body and your mind influences your health and well-being. Health and rehabilitation psychologists study how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. They promote healthy living and disease prevention through psychological assessment and intervention, and they focus on how patients adjust to illnesses and treatments and view their quality of life. 

How can a psychologist help with pain management?

Psychological factors play a large role in pain management. Psychological approaches have been shown, in numerous studies, to help people with pain improve the quality of their lives. In particular, it has been shown that patients who work with a psychologist increase functioning in many life domains, such as activities of daily living, emotional health, and interpersonal relationships, and result in decreased pain symptoms. Following psychological treatment, patients often report that they are more active, less depressed, less anxious, and feel more in control. It has also been shown that psychotherapy can reduce health care utilization and help patients adhere to treatment recommendations. 

Could I benefit from psychotherapy?

Making a decision to see a psychologist can be a difficult one. Many people feel uncomfortable about the prospect of talking about things that are distressing or even embarrassing to a complete stranger. On the other hand, people often find it much easier to tell their problems to someone they do not know and who has no expectations of them. It is important that you find the best approach for you and the initial evaluation will provide you with an opportunity to determine if you could benefit from psychotherapy. The following list is by no means exhaustive but these are some common reasons why people see a psychologist: 

·Normal but emotionally painful reactions/distress (such as depression, anxiety, anger/hostility, decreased sense of self-worth, stress) that have occurred as a result of pain condition.

·Preexisting emotional/psychological issues that worsen the experience of physical symptoms.

·Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or having trouble staying asleep throughout the night) 

What should I expect during the first appointment with Dr. Marchand?

You can expect an initial 50-minute psychological assessment. This session will include obtaining information about the presenting problem, a psychosocial history, and may also include the completion of assessment measures. You will be provided with feedback from the assessment and recommendations will be made.  Should you be interested in pursuing psychological services at the initial appointment, therapeutic goals will be set with Dr. Marchand at the outset of therapy. Dr. Marchand uses an integrated approach and tailors psychotherapy to the needs of the patient. She draws from empirically-supported treatment modalities including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

How long should psychotherapy last?

An hour of individual treatment includes 50 minutes of face-to-face contact and 10 minutes for Dr. Marchand to document activities. The number of sessions required can vary, depending upon your needs and goals. 

Fee

Psychologists are not covered by OHIP. Many people have partial or total insurance coverage through their employment benefits or other extended health plans. Some insurance companies may require a physician's referral. It is your responsibility to submit claims directly to the insurance company. Fees for psychological services are tax deductible in Canada.

As standard professional practice, cancellation of an appointment without a minimum of 24 hours notice may require full payment of fees. 

Where can I get more information?

Canadian Psychological Association: http://www.cpa.ca 

Canadian Mental Health Association: http://www.cmha.ca/bins/index.asp