Therapeutic approach

Dr. Catherine Gatien practices psychotherapy using an integrative approach that mainly includes humanistic and emotionally focused elements. She relies on the development of the therapeutic alliance and a solid trust relationship to promote change. A benevolent welcome is at the center of her approach and she pays special attention to identify and name the relationship issues within the couple or person with whom she is working.

Experience and training

Dr. Catherine Gatien obtained a doctorate in clinical psychology at the Université du Québec en Outaouais in 2021 and has been working part-time at the CLSC in 1st line adult mental health since 2020. Initially, she was trained according to the emotionally focused approach (humanistic approach) and also works with the cognitive-behavioral approach according to therapeutic needs. She is involved in the development of a group therapy program for people with emotional and relational disorders where she offers psychotherapy based on mentalization. She has also developed experience in perinatal care with women living with different problems (postpartum depression, adaptation to motherhood, perinatal bereavement). As part of her doctoral research, Dr. Gatien became interested in couple dynamics. She has completed the basic training and the advanced training in emotionally-focused couple therapy (EFT).

As part of her practice at CCCF, Dr. Gatien focuses mainly on couple psychotherapy, with a few clients in individual psychotherapy as well.

Key Issues

• Couple difficulties (conflictual relationship, distancing, infidelity, separation, etc.)
• Bereavement
• Emotion management
• Self esteem
• Relationship problems
• Attachment wounds