Dr. Christopher Cardoso

Dr. Christopher Cardoso

Registered Psychologist

If you’re tired of suffering alone and feeling misunderstood, finding the right therapist is a great place to start. I have spent nearly a decade helping people face overwhelming challenges and beat the odds. You will find an overview of my experiences and areas of competence in the paragraphs that follow. I hope to have the opportunity to watch you grow in our work together.

I see individuals who suffer from mood disorders and related conditions (i.e. ADHD, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, PTSD, sexual dysfunction, substance use disorders, personality disorders) using a framework that integrates biological, psychological, and social explanations of mental health. From a psychological and social perspective, people who suffer from mental health conditions may experience long, enduring periods of wellness under normal circumstances. In the face of overwhelming challenges, however, these individuals may develop mental health symptoms that interfere with daily life. Such difficult circumstances often include social conflict or isolation, role transitions, grief or trauma, lack of structure, loss of self-confidence, as well as crises of identity and purpose. From a biological perspective, individuals may also develop mental health symptoms in the face of significant biological transitions, which occur most frequently in the perinatal and postpartum period in women, and in some individuals adjusting to chronic medical conditions. I also see couples that struggle with issues related to conflict, attachment, intimacy, and sexual dysfunction. Finally, I also provide psychoeducational assessments for youth struggling with motivation, mood, and learning challenges in school.

My approach to treatment is informed by rigorous training in diagnostic assessment and evidence-based psychological treatment (i.e. CBT, ACT, IPT) integrated with process-oriented approaches. This approach is couched in a psychological, social, and biological framework that is client-centered and strengths-based. My relationship with my clients is based on a shared vision for progress in therapy, non-judgment, and mutual respect. I generously use humour and metaphor in my work, and I encourage my clients to control the pace of therapy to suit their needs and values best.

I am the co-founder of Bloom Psychology Clinic in North Vancouver. Prior to this appointment, I worked in major hospitals in Canada and in the United States in association with McGill University and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. I have conducted multiple Randomized Controlled Trials for the treatment of mood disorders and related conditions using CBT, IPT, and IPSRT. I have also published nearly 20 peer-reviewed articles on the neurobiology of stress, social bonding, and mood disorders in humans. This research has been featured widely in international media and has informed my approach to the treatment of mental health issues.

I am a registered member of the College of Psychologists of British Columbia and the College of Psychologists of Ontario.