Dr. Parsons provides assessments and therapy for adolescents and adults, with a focus on anxiety-related and emotion regulation challenges.
Dr. Carly Parsons (she/her) is a Licensed Psychologist who provides in-person and virtual therapy services to both adolescents and adults at NSSAC.
Dr. Parsons specializes in evidence-based treatment for concerns related to anxiety, mood, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, physical health, and emotion regulation. For example, she supports individuals who have symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, health anxiety, chronic or medically unexplained health conditions, intense emotions, and harmful coping strategies (e.g., self-harm, binge eating). Dr. Parsons also supports clients with concerns related to trauma histories, perfectionism, identity, interpersonal relationships, and sexual functioning.
Flexible, Compassionate, and Evidence-Based Therapy
Dr. Parsons uses a range of evidence-based therapy approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). She works flexibly and collaboratively with clients, tailoring her approach to their goals, needs, and preferences. Dr. Parsons enjoys working with diverse clients, including members of racialized and LGBTQ+ communities.
Dr. Parsons has a warm, gentle, and nonjudgmental style, which she balances with structured accountability to help clients make progress toward meaningful goals and values. She emphasizes the importance of acceptance and compassion in fostering lasting change.
Diverse Training Experiences
Dr. Parsons completed her predoctoral residency with Alberta Health Services, at the Calgary Clinical Psychology Residency. During her residency, she provided therapy services in the Women’s Health Clinic, Allied Health Outpatient Neurology Clinic, and adolescent inpatient units at Foothills Hospital.
Dr. Parsons’ prior training includes practicum placements at the BC Children’s Hospital OCD Clinic, Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre, and DBT Centre of Vancouver. Dr. Parsons also completed training at the West Coast Centre for Sex Therapy and UBC Sexual Health Research Laboratory, where she provided individual and group therapy for individuals with sexual functioning concerns.
Research, Advocacy, and Personal Interests
Dr. Parsons contributes to clinical research, with presentations and publications on topics related to anxiety and online behavior (e.g., social media use). She volunteers on the board of the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Foundation, and engages in environmental advocacy through the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
Outside of work, Carly enjoys dancing, reading, watching reality TV, and exploring both the outdoors and Vancouver’s vibrant food and coffee scene.
