Dr. Masoud Aref

, PhD, RCC

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Vancouver and Lower Mainland
In Person, Online
Accepting New Clients

Masoud is a Registered Clinical Counsellor located in Vancouver, BC offering in-person and online counselling. He is very compassionate and both men and women find him understanding and easy to talk with. He helps people with a range of challenges, including anxiety, trauma, PTSD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), ADHD, sexual abuse, eating disorders, spiritual challenges, sexual issues, and mood-related issues like Depression, and Bipolar Disorder. He is a very experienced couples counsellor and has expertise in sexual challenges. He also supports clients facing adjustment issues like life transitions and immigration challenges. Masoud works from several modalities including: Intensive, Short-Term Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Gestalt Therapy, Reality Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

Masoud believes in an encouraging therapeutic relationship where you can heal your wounds, fulfill your desires, and reach your potential. He helps clients explore a therapeutic relationship that not only heals but also illuminates the path to their innermost aspirations and the fullest expression of their potential. He inspires his clients toward self-discovery and empowerment by providing a supportive process. He guides his clients by helping them connect to their inner wisdom and healer.

Masoud has Post-Doctoral (PhD) certifications in Clinical and Transpersonal Psychology, and has studied Compassionate Inquiry with Gabor Mate, Hakomi with Georgia Marvin, and Psychedelic therapy with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).

Masoud is an Iranian-born philosopher, poet, professor, and psychology Ph.D.  In Iran, he was an activist for women’s rights. He was a highly sought-after resource in his home country before coming to North America, where he trained in the San Francisco Bay Area.  

Client Focus: Couples Adults Families
Areas of Practice: Anxiety and stress ADHD Careers and Workplace Issues Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Depression Eating Disorders Gottman Couples Method Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ Men’s Issues Sleep problems Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Mood Disorders Parenting Personality Disorders Self Esteem Trauma Mindfulness
Types of Therapy: Short-Term Psychotherapy (ISTDP) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Solution Focused Therapy Existential Therapy Narrative Therapy Schema Therapy Holistic-Transanalytical-Integrative Gottman Method Couples Therapy Intensive Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Reality Therapy Trauma Informed Practice Gestalt Therapy Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Education

  • PhD. Transpersonal Psychology – California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA
  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology – Science and Research Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Registrations and Memberships

  • BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, Registered Clinical Counsellor #18651