Dr. Sharon Hou, R.Psych.

Dr. Sharon Hou (she/her) is a psychologist registered with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia (#2817). Dr. Hou specializes in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults living with anxiety, low mood, challenges related to school and relationships, and coping with changing life circumstances or stressors. Dr. Hou is also experienced in working with children and youth living with serious and complex health conditions (for example, coping with cancer). Dr. Hou is particularly passionate about supporting individuals and families from racialized and immigrant communities. Dr. Hou is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Dr. Hou uses interventions that are supported by science, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). She also integrates strategies from motivational interviewing, emotion-focused family therapy, and self-compassion. Dr. Hou’s clinical approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive. Dr. Hou will get to know the youth and their families to develop a treatment plan that best fit with their needs and circumstances.

Dr. Hou provides psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic assessments for children, adolescents, and young adults presenting with learning, attentional, and social/emotional challenges. By conducting these assessments, Dr. Hou strives to help youth and families better understand their strengths and needs and offer personalized recommendations that best address their current challenges, such as accessing appropriate supports related to academic learning and daily living.

Dr. Hou earned her Master’s degree and PhD in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Guelph, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and French from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Hou completed her predoctoral residency at Alberta Children’s Hospital where she received specialized training in pediatric oncology, adolescent mental health inpatient, and mood, anxiety, and psychosis outpatient. Dr. Hou subsequently completed her postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric oncology survivorship at BC Children’s Hospital.

In addition to her role at the North Shore Stress and Anxiety Clinic, Dr. Hou is a psychologist at BC Children’s Hospital. She also holds a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Calgary, where she conducts research to better understand the social and cultural processes that shape child and adolescent development and actively publishes scientific articles in this area of work. Dr. Hou is a member of several professional organizations, including the Canadian Psychological Association, the International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology, and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.

Dr. Hou immigrated with her family from Taiwan to Canada at an early age and grew up on the North Shore. Much of Dr. Hou’s work is shaped by her immigration experience and exposure to cultural diversity over her life. Dr. Hou enjoys traveling, hot yoga, and spending time with her beloved family and friends, and her kitten Mosa.