Payton Bernett
Intern Psychologist
I’m Payton (pronouns they/them), and I am an intern psychologist in my last year of my PhD. I specialize in working with clients with needs related to complex trauma, dissociation and dissociative disorders, borderline personality disorder, depression, and anxiety, as well as other needs. I also specialize in working with 2SLGBTQIA+ clients from a social justice and anti-oppressive lens. I strive to be actively anti-racist and neurodiversity-affirming in my practice.
I prioritize practicing from a compassionate, curious, and non-judgmental approach. I always promote my client’s autonomy and choice. You are the expert of your own life and needs. I use a variety of techniques based on my client’s needs, including (but not limited to) the following: trauma-informed, Internal Family Systems,
clinical hypnosis, Emotion-Focused Therapy, compassionate, body-oriented, social justice, feminist, and existential therapy. In other words, I prioritize a lot of inner work and emotional safety building with my clients, while also acknowledging and navigating systems of oppression that they may face externally.
I am currently completing the Advanced Certificate in Complex Trauma and Dissociation through the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (I have already completed the first level certificate). I am also the co-chair for the Montreal Study Group for Trauma and Dissociation and an active member and trainer for the Pride Therapy Network of Montreal.
I have completed a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology at McGill University and am now in my last year of my PhD in Counselling Psychology at McGill. As part of my PhD, I am working with the Montreal 2SLGBTQIA+ community to research the role of social and community supports in substance misuse and sobriety among Queer and Trans folks. My Master’s research focused on Indigenous student belonging and Truth and Reconciliation in post-secondary institutions.
Outside of clinical and academic settings, I spend most of my time foraging for mushrooms and plants in the local forests, writing and playing music, and listening to audiobooks about all sorts of random topics.