About Dr. Heather Fulton

I have been volunteering, researching, and working in the area of mental health, including substance use health, since 2002.  I have provided care within student services, outreach and assertive community treatment teams, specialized bed-based care, and other outpatient services so I am familiar with the unique challenges faced by various professional helpers within services as well as people trying to access care.  I regularly present at regional, national and international conferences on the topics of mental health, substance use wellness, and leading practices to improve care. 

My interest in mental health is not just professional- it is personal.  I have first-hand personal and family experience with the wide-ranging impact of mental health on all the different aspects of a person’s life.  I also know that people can- and do- recover.  And not just that- you, or your loved one, can learn to thrive and succeed despite the challenges experienced.

I recognize that psychological services are expensive for people and for many helping organizations.  They often seem out of reach.  For that reason I work as efficiently as possible with you, or your organization, to teach you to become your own expert.  You learn how to navigate your own path forward and face your own unique challenges with the skills and tools that we identify and practice together.  I focus on connecting the science to your practical everyday life.  We work on connecting you to what is important so you can find and navigate the best solutions for your unique situation.

FAQs

  • I’m a Clinical Psychologist. I trained at Queen’s University and Dalhousie University. I completed my residency at The Royal Ottawa, with one of my main areas of focus being working with Psychiatric Outreach and Assertive Community Treatment teams. I am dedicated to ongoing education and reflective practice. For me this has meant getting additional training and certifications at places such as:

    • The Beck Institute- specifically in treating substance use disorders

    • Certification in CBT from the Canadian Association for Cognitive Behavioral Therapies

    • Certification in Seeking Safety- an evidence based approach for treating substance use, trauma, or both

    • Recognition as a trainer in Motivational Interviewing through membership in the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and Centre for Collaboration, Motivation, and Innovation.

    • Ongoing training in Community Reinforcement and Family Training which includes Level 1 Certification in the Invitation to Change Approach by the Centre for Motivation and Change

    • Ongoing training and participation as a Dialectical and Behavior Therapy trainer

    • Certification in the Flinders Model of Chronic Disease Management

    I am also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. I also teach and supervise Psychiatry Residents and Clinical Psychology trainees in evidence-based psychotherapies part-time at a local teaching hospital.

  • I became interested in mental health, including substance use, based on personal and family experience. I started out in psychology because I wanted to try to make sure that other people didn’t have to go through the experiences that I did. I didn’t want others to feel the shame, embarrassment, confusion and hopelessness that can come with these issues. That drive and passion for reducing stigma, improving care, and addressing the “cracks” and “gaps” in the system continue to this day as I continue to refine and improve my own skills and knowledge to better serve others.

  • I started volunteering in grassroots mental health awareness work in 2002. I began studying, researching and working in the area soon after. I completed my Clinical Psychology doctoral-level training in 2012.