Heart of the Matter

Born and raised in Austria, I first came to Canada as an exchange student in 1999. After completing a Master of Arts in Lifespan Developmental Psychology at UVIC, I returned to Salzburg and Munich, where I completed my training in clinical psychology and cognitve behavioral therapy, as well as my dissertation research on meaning in life and support of family caregivers in palliative care. After the birth of our daughter we returned to live in Victoria.

I worked in inpatient and private practice settings with a wide range of client issues, including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, and prolonged grief. During my doctoral studies, my focus was on positive psychology approaches, such as promoting well-being through meaning interventions and caregiver support in palliative care.

Identifying needs of family caregivers and developing a group psychotherapy intervention (Existential behavioral therapy for family caregivers in palliative care) to improve well-being at such a vulnerable time was very satisfying, particularly after having experienced the loss of both of my parents to cancer as a young adult.

Get in touch to set up a free 30-min initial consultation to find out whether I am a good fit for you.

Monika Brandstaetter, PhD, RCC
Phone (250) 885-3065
monika@heartofthemattercounselling.com