Therapeutic approach

Dr. Dugal practices psychotherapy using an integrative approach inspired by cognitive behavioural, humanistic and emotionally focused couple therapies, which allows her to adapt her interventions to the needs of each person and to work in a collaborative manner with her clients. In her work, she puts a great emphasis on emotions and the development of a sense of security within the therapeutic and couple relationships as agents of therapeutic change.

Experience and training

Dr. Dugal completed her Ph.D. in psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in 2019. Her doctoral research focused on the emotional and relational repercussions of childhood interpersonal trauma and the variables related to the experience of violence within intimate relationships. Initially trained in cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, as well as for relational issues, she then specialized in the treatment of sexual and couple difficulties by integrating interventions from emotionally focused couple therapy. With her clinical training at the Sex and Couples Therapy Service of the McGill University Health Centre, she developed skills in the treatment of couple and sexual difficulties, including those related to a history of childhood maltreatment and related to tocophobia, the fear of pregnancy and childbirth.

Key issues

• Couple difficulties (conflicts, sexuality, distancing, ambivalence, infidelity, separation)
• Relationship problems
• Sexual problems
• Assertiveness
• Childhood interpersonal trauma (psychological, physical or sexual abuse, neglect)
• Self-esteem
• Emotion regulation