Catherine Classen

I am a clinical psychologist with a license to practice in Ontario and California and have been a practicing psychotherapist and researcher for over 30 years. I received my BA at the University of Victoria and MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from York University. I completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. I am a certified sensorimotor psychotherapist. Previously I was a senior scientist at Stanford, a professor at the University of Toronto and at the University of California San Francisco. Presently, I am an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto.

I am registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (Registration #4288) and authorized to provide psychological services in Ontario. I am also licensed in California (PSY14312).

I have a longstanding interest in trauma and dissociation and considerable experience working with adult survivors of child sexual abuse, sexual victimization as an adult and other forms of violence. I am a past president, previous board member, fellow and member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and a member of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, American Psychological Association and Canadian Psychological Association. 

Coping with the trauma of serious medical illness is another area of interest. I recognize the profound impact that a serious medical illness has for the individual not just physically but also emotionally, relationally and spiritually. I've facilitated support groups for patients dealing with cancer, diabetes, HIV, and multiple sclerosis. I’ve developed and researched online group interventions as well as face-to-face group interventions. 

Recent Publications

Classen, C.C., Hughes, L., Clark, C., Hill Mohammed, B., Woods, P., Beckett, B.. (2021) A Pilot RCT of A Body-Oriented Group Therapy For Complex Trauma Survivors: An Adaptation of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 22 (1): 52-68. doi: 10.1080/15299732.2020.1760173. Epub 2020 May 18. PMID: 32419670.

 

Vigod, S.N., Slyfield Cook, G., Macdonald, K., Hussain-Shamsy, N., Brown, H.K., de Oliveira, C., Torshizi, K., Benipal, P.K., Grigoriadis, S., Classen, C.C., Dennis, C.L.. (2021, May 5). Mother Matters: Pilot randomized wait-list controlled trial of an online therapist-facilitated discussion board and support group for postpartum depression symptoms. Depression and Anxiety. doi: 10.1002/da.23163. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33949762.

 

Honours and Awards

Name: 2015 Psychologist of the Year, awarded by the Traumatic Stress Section of the Canadian Psychological Association
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Name: 2006-2007 President, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
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