Alexandra Shifrin, PhD, RPsych

I provide virtual therapy for adults in Alberta. OCD, BDD, and BFRBs make up 90% of my current practice, and I have treated over 100 individuals with these specific conditions. I [prioritize evidence-based treatments such as on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, alongside Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and the ComB model for BFRBs. I often incorporate ACT and CBT into my treatment plan depending on the client’s needs and goals. Therapy is highly structured and skill-based, focusing on practical strategies to target symptoms and improve daily functioning.

I regularly treat co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, ADHD, substance use, and health anxiety. We start with a comprehensive assessment to understand how these conditions interact. Together, we prioritize your goals, focusing first on the issues causing the greatest distress or interfering with therapy. I create an adaptive treatment plan to meet your unique needs, such as modifying ERP exercises for ADHD or using CBT for depression alongside OCD. Our work remains structured yet flexible, designed to help you manage your symptoms and to move forward.

I am a PhD-level Registered Psychologist in Alberta with over four years of experience treating OCD and related disorders. My foundation in evidence-based care was built through doctoral training and targeted supervision in OCD treatment while completing a placement at an OCD clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. I have completed advanced training and coursework in CBT, ACT, ERP, and I-CBT. I continue to work in public health settings in order to support diverse populations and maintain a broad clinical perspective. I actively pursue ongoing education to provide the most current, evidence-based treatments to my clients.

Working in both private practice and public health has given me extensive experience with diverse multicultural populations. I am committed to culturally affirming care, recognizing that cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors significantly impact mental health. I collaborate with clients to understand their unique cultural frameworks, ensuring that evidence-based treatments like ERP and ACT are thoughtfully adapted to honor their values, traditions, and family dynamics while effectively reducing their symptoms.

My commitment to culturally responsive care began during my doctoral studies at the University of Toronto. Studying and working in such a diverse city provided a strong foundation in multicultural psychology. I expanded on this during my clinical residency with Alberta Health Services (AHS), navigating complex cases within a large public health system. These distinct experiences taught me how profoundly cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors shape a person’s mental health. In my practice today, I actively integrate these cultural nuances into case conceptualizations to honor each individual’s unique background and community values.