Therapeutic approach

Dr. Dugal practices psychotherapy using an integrative approach inspired by cognitive behavioural, humanistic and emotionally focused therapies, which allows her to adapt her interventions to the needs her clients. In her work, she emphasizes the role of emotions and the development of a sense of security within the therapeutic and couple relationships to promote change.

Experience and training

Dr. Dugal completed her Ph.D. in psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in 2019. In addition to being a clinician at the CCCF, she is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. Her research focuses on the study of the individual and relational determinants of couples’ experiences of conflicts, violence, sexual difficulties, and relationship dissolution. 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 at the Sex and Couples Therapy Service of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Dr. Dugal has also completed basic training in emotionally focused couple therapy.

Key issues

• Couple difficulties (conflicts, emotional distance, ambivalence, infidelity, separation)
• Relationship difficulties
• Sexual difficulties
• Childhood interpersonal trauma (psychological, physical or sexual abuse, neglect)
• Emotion regulation
• Assertiveness