Dr Joanna Hessen-Kayfitz

Dr Joanna Hessen Kayfitz is a Registered Psychologist. She received her BA with honours in Psychology from the University of Manitoba (2006) and an MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Windsor in 2008 and 2013, respectively. Dr. Kayfitz completed her pre-doctoral residency right here in Halifax with the Capital District Health Authority Mental Health and Addictions Program, where she completed specialty training in Forensic Psychology through the East Coast Forensic Hospital, as well as intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy through the Centre for Emotions and Health. Dr. Kayfitz also completed generalist training through the Bedford/Sackville Community Mental Health clinic. During her residency, Dr. Kayfitz worked with a variety of adult patients, providing individual and group therapy, as well as both forensic and psycho-diagnostic assessment.

Dr. Kayfitz provides psychotherapy services to adult patients using a variety of therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, which she selects and integrates based on her patients’ unique presenting difficulties and readiness for change. Dr. Kayfitz also provides forensic psychological assessment services (e.g., criminal recidivism risk, pre-sentence assessment) at the request of defense and prosecution services.

In addition to her work at Dr. Kathy Hubley Carruthers Counselling & Psychological Services, Dr. Kayfitz is employed full-time at the IWK Health Centre Youth Forensic Services, where she conducts forensic psychological assessments ordered by the Provincial Youth Court. Dr. Kayfitz has been qualified as an expert witness in the Halifax Provincial Youth Court in the domain of clinical and forensic psychology.