Dr. Helia Jafari, R.Psych.

Bilingual Registered Psychologist (English/Farsi) specializing in culturally and evidence-informed assessment and treatment of ADHD and other mental health concerns.

Dr. Helia Jafari is a Registered Psychologist specialized in the culturally responsive, evidence-based diagnostic assessment and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. She has extensive experience supporting children and families with disruptive and oppositional behaviours, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and offers family therapy focused on strengthening parent-child relationships and resolving conflict. Dr. Jafari is dedicated to helping families navigate behavioural and emotional challenges through approaches that foster connection and resilience. She provides services in both English and Farsi, and works with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

In addition to her specialization in ADHD and behavioural concerns, Dr. Jafari offers therapy for a broad range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and body image concerns, interpersonal difficulties, as well as stress related to immigration, cultural adaptation, and major life transitions. Her integrative evidence-informed therapeutic approach draws from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Family-Based Treatment (FBT), Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She emphasizes developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and strength-based care—often incorporating creativity, playfulness, and humour, especially in her work with children and youth.

Specialized Expertise in Psychological Assessment
Dr. Jafari has extensive experience conducting comprehensive diagnostic assessments for a variety of neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, including Specific Learning Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), mood and anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. She collaborates closely with clients to identify their strengths and areas of need, offering personalized, actionable recommendations and individually tailored supports.

Academic Role
Alongside her clinical practice, Dr. Jafari serves as an adjunct professor in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at the University of British Columbia. She teaches and provides clinical supervision to graduate students, sharing her clinical expertise and commitment to evidence-based care.

Education and Advanced Training
Dr. Jafari earned her Ph.D. in Clinical and Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary, supported by a prestigious Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) award. Her advanced clinical training includes:

• - A CPA-accredited pre-doctoral residency at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), with rotations in the ADHD Clinic, Pediatric Stroke Program, and Eating Disorders Program
• - A postdoctoral fellowship at BC Children's Hospital's Sunny Hill Health Centre in the Complex Developmental & Behavioural Conditions (CDBC) program

Following her fellowship, Dr. Jafari joined the Carlile Youth Concurrent Disorders Centre at Lions Gate Hospital, where she provided assessment and treatment for youth with co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, while also supervising graduate trainees.

Her research interest centers on trauma and resilience in immigrant and refugee youth. She continues to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences.

Advocacy and Commitment to Resilience
Dr. Jafari is deeply committed to breaking down systemic barriers and advocating for the needs of her clients and their families within the community. Through her clinical work, research, and teaching, she strives to foster resilience in children, families, and communities —empowering them to navigate challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.

Dr. Jafari's culturally sensitive, compassionate, and evidence-based approach makes her a trusted partner in helping clients achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.