DR. GARRI HOVHANNISYAN, PH.D., C.PSYCH.

(SUPERVISED PRACTICE)

(He/Him)

Dr. Garri Hovhannisyan is a clinical psychologist in supervised practice whose approach integrates humanistic, existential, psychodynamic, emotion-focused and cognitive-behavioural perspectives. Recognizing that no two people are alike, his approach is highly individualized to fit the unique needs of his clients when working with individuals and couples. 

Garri provides individual therapy and psychological assessment services for adults of all ages with concerns related to depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, anger, self-esteem, grief, major life transitions, as well as relationship challenges and motivational difficulties. Garri helps clients to break free from their patterns by first understanding where these patterns are coming from. To this end, he draws on a wide range of psychological tools and techniques. He offers his clients a warm, caring, accepting and collaborative space in which to explore aspects of their experience that are at the root of their distress.

Having completed training in Emotion-Focused Therapy for couples, Garri helps partners to become more emotionally attuned to each other’s worlds so as to repair existing ruptures related to interpersonal conflict and emotional injuries (e.g., betrayal, loss of trust, disappointment). He supports couples who are wishing to improve their communication styles and feelings of physical, emotional, and sexual intimacy together. In collaboration with partners, Garri facilitates a kind of therapeutic experience where each partner can come to feel better seen and understood by the other, with an appreciation of how to work together to meaningfully manage their relationship goals as a team.   

Garri completed a CPA-accredited predoctoral internship at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships where he gained experience serving a wide range of clients with diverse backgrounds and challenges. Prior to this, Garri received his clinical training in individual and group therapy at the Duquesne University psychology clinic in the United States, where he received his Ph.D.

In addition to his clinical experience, Garri has been the recipient of a number of awards in excellence in scholarship in psychology, including a $40,000 Doctoral Fellowship granted by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to support his doctoral research. Garri has taught undergraduate courses in introductory psychology and cognitive science. His research is highly interdisciplinary and resides at the intersection of philosophy, cognitive science, psychological assessment, and personality theory. To date, he has presented internationally at over 20 academic conferences in philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science, and holds professional memberships with the Canadian and American Psychological Associations, and the Society for Personality Assessment.

Please note that our associates work with many presenting issues, some of which are not listed in this biography. Please speak to our intake team at 416-767-7091 for more information.