Dr. Carla Elfers

Associate, Registered Psychologist

Dr. Carla Elfers provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to children and teens with phobias, obsessive/compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety, clinical perfectionism, social anxiety, or depression. CBT is a practical and evidence-based treatment that involves clear goals and tools that are practiced first in therapy sessions and then in daily life. Therapy sessions often involve working closely with young people and their parents, so that parents may support their child’s use of CBT tools at home and at school. Dr. Elfers treats school refusal, and provides consultation to parents and caregivers around supporting their child’s emotional and behavioral well-being. She also provides treatment for selective mutism, tic disorders (CBIT), body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., hair pulling, skin picking), and elimination disorders in preschoolers. Dr. Elfers’ practice covers the entire pediatric period, from parents of very young children to teens entering young adulthood. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of British Columbia and completed pre-doctoral residency training at B.C. Children’s Hospital.

For many years, Dr. Elfers was a staff Psychologist at B.C. Children’s Hospital, where she worked with children with mental health concerns, developmental disabilities, and medical conditions. Dr. Elfers has provided teaching and supervision to psychology residents and medical residents regarding the mental health and intellectual development of children with complex needs. She continues to collaborate with many clinicians at B.C. Children’s. Dr. Elfers is registered with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia (#1919) and is certified in cognitive behavior therapy by the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (CABCT). She maintains active membership in several professional organizations including the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).