About Dr McManus

Dr. McManus’ Background

     Dr. McManus believes in providing an exceptionally high quality of personalized counselling and psychology services. Dr. McManus has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and a Masters Degree in Science. As well, she has a Masters Degree in Education. She has approximately 10 years’ experience in the helping professions, initially working as a Registered Clinical Counsellor and more recently as a Registered Psychologist in both Alberta and B.C.  Dr. McManus has worked as a Psychologist for Alberta Health Services in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions Program. She has also worked for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Addictions as a clinical therapist in B.C.  She currently maintains a private practice in the Comox Valley area and provides psychological treatment and assessment services for many large insurance companies as well as private clients. She regularly consults with other mental health professionals to improve service standards and to maximize treatment effectiveness. As well, she takes part in continuing education activities in order to stay current with new research findings and treatment interventions.

     Dr. McManus is client-focused in that she believes it is important to meet clients where they currently are emotionally, develop a positive therapeutic relationship, and create mutually agreed upon goals to be addressed during treatment. She tailors her approach to each individual client and the client’s unique issue and ability to engage in therapy. Depending upon the client and presenting issue, she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Brief Psychodynamic Therapy, and/or Motivational Interviewing. Dr. McManus is also strongly focused on attachment concerns where appropriate. What defines her as a therapist is sincere desire to help people create the lives they want for themselves.

     Dr. McManus is a registered mental health practitioner.  She is a member of the College of Psychologists of B.C (#2143) as a Registered Psychologist (R. Psych.).  Previously she has been registered as a psychologist both in Alberta and Ontario. She was a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). Each of these organizations requires a panel to examine each applicant’s specific training and each group adherences to a code of ethical standards.