The Vancouver Couple & Family Institute is a designated EFT Centre recognized by the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT). All our therapists are ICEEFT members. We are also an EFT Training Centre with an international reputation.
Many of our referrals come from other therapists who recognize the effectiveness of EFT and value our work. Half of our referrals come from previous clients.
Members of Our Team
- Lorene Carey
- Veronica Kallos-Lilly, Ph.D.
- Yolanda von Hockauf, M. Ed.
- Carol Flynn, Ph.D.
- Rikki Kumar, M.A.
- Jocelyne Lessard, Ph.D.
- Francine Marx-Zatzick, M.A.
- Jennifer Pringle, Ph.D.
- Kristina Sadrolashrafi, M.C.
Lorene Carey, Office Administrator
As the first point of contact at VCFI, Lorene brings a friendly and outgoing personality to her role as our Office Administrator. Our clients and office staff feel her positive “can-do” attitude.
Lorene’s sensitivity in working with people comes from her extensive experience in HR and administration in the home health care industry and also in the general labour sector. Her professionalism and dependability is exemplified in her key role
at VCFI.
Lorene is a valuable part of our team as she respectfully and confidentially assists new clients in the first steps of connecting with a therapist at VCFI. Lorene will gather information from you to assist the directors in establishing a good match between you and your therapist. You may provide this information by contacting our office or completing our secure online intake questionnaire. Additionally, she is able to answer general inquiries which you may have regarding therapy and our EFT training programs.
Veronica Kallos-Lilly, Ph.D., Registered Psychologist #1314
Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor for Individuals, Couples and Families
Certified Emotionally Focused Trainer for Individuals and Couples
Director
The first qualities that will strike you about Veronica are her warmth and genuineness. You will be put at ease by her solid, calm presence. As a psychologist, Veronica’s naturally intuitive questions will engage you to explore your inner world and life experiences as she helps you resolve your problems. You will be held by Veronica’s compassion as she guides you to self-reflect, tune into your feelings, and make sense of your personal obstacles so that you can overcome them. During counselling sessions, Veronica is often heard saying “I want to help you become who you are, not turn into someone you’re not!” You will be encouraged to use the self-knowledge you’ve gained to create fulfilling relationships and follow solid, life decisions that nourish you.
Veronica has been practicing as a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia since 1997. In 2005, she co-founded the Vancouver Couple & Family Institute (VCFI) where she continues as a Director. Apart from realizing a professional dream for Veronica, VCFI has earned a reputation within the community it serves for providing exceptional clinical service and training to therapists.
Regarded as an expert in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Veronica is sought after as a clinician, educator, and consultant to therapists around the globe. Her first book, co-authored with Jennifer Fitzgerald, An Emotionally Focused Workbook for Couples: The Two of Us, is receiving high praise and being recommended by counsellors across the continent. It has been translated into six languages, including Dutch, German, Polish, Hungarian, Korean and Japanese. As a Certified EFT Trainer, Veronica travels within Canada, the United States, and Australia to provide training. She offers long distance consultation electronically and presents her work at professional conferences and in scholarly journals. Veronica enjoys presenting relationship education workshops based on EFT, such as Hold Me Tight® for couples and Hold Me Tight – Let Me Go® for families with teens to public audiences. Veronica is also a Registered Circle of Security® Parent Facilitator. She delights in helping parents, along with their infants and toddlers, to bond deeply and securely.
Veronica brings her experience and expertise to individuals, couples, and families who wish to resolve their struggles and enhance their lives.
Veronica’s areas of practice include:
- Individual Therapy for: Life transitions, Stress and coping, Identity and self-esteem issues, Depression and anxiety, Interpersonal concerns, Grief and loss, and Counselling for family of origin and traumatic experiences.
- Couples Counselling to: Improve relationship conflict, tension, and communication problems, Strengthen couples’ enjoyment, appreciation, closeness and intimacy, Recover from affairs and clarify commitment.
- Family Counselling for: Helping parents tune into and bond with their baby, Maintaining parent-child relationships through adolescence, Addressing relationship issues between adult children and parents or siblings.
Veronica’s schedule is:
Tuesday – 10AM to 5PM
Thursday – 10AM to 5PM
Yolanda von Hockauf (she/her), M. Ed., Registered Marriage & Family Therapist & RMFT Supervisor #201781
Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist for Individuals, Couples and Families
Certified Emotionally Focused Supervisor and Trainer for Individuals and Couples
Director
When you sit down with Yolanda and let her into your world of experiences, you will immediately notice her strong, compassionate presence. Her warm and perceptive responses help create the trust you need to see yourself and your situation with greater clarity, and mobilize you to face and overcome your most difficult problems. Whether you are an individual, couple or family, Yolanda will support you in finding ways to implement the changes you want to make in your life and relationships.
Yolanda is a Registered Couple and Family Therapist and a founding director of the Vancouver Couple & Family Institute (VCFI), which has gained a reputation of excellence in the therapeutic community among physicians, other therapists and the general public. As a therapist in the original research study on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in 1983, Yolanda has been using this approach since its inception. Her skills as a Certified EFT Therapist are widely sought.
Yolanda is also a Certified EFT Trainer and has taught all levels of this evidence-based model to therapists in 14 countries around the world. She is passionate about understanding the impact of culture and other differences amongst humans on sense of self and relationships and is committed to integrating this into her work, be it with clients or trainees. With her clients, she believes strongly in creatively and inclusively attuning to their unique identities, and invites them to share how they identify, whether it be race, sexuality, ability, etc. Yolanda sees herself as a lifelong learner, with a deep core value of respecting every human.
Yolanda’s areas of practice include:
- Counselling for Individuals: Depression and anxiety, Trauma, Understanding and changing relationship patterns, Recovery from exclusion and marginalization experiences; and Life decisions and transitions.
- Couple and Relationship counselling for: Conflict and communication problems, Lack of closeness or intimacy, Recovery from affairs, Sexuality, Decisions regarding relationship commitment.
- Family counselling: Parents and teenagers; Parents and adult children.
Yolanda’s schedule is:
Online: Wednesday, Thursday – 10AM to 5PM
In-person: Tuesday, Friday – 9:30AM to 5PM
Carol Flynn, Ph. D., Registered Psychologist #1521
Carol is currently not taking new clients and her waitlist is closed until further notice.
Carol has deep respect for the courage shown by clients in seeking therapy. She sees her role as one of providing support, guidance and skills to make change possible, helping clients live more joyful lives. Her style is direct and transparent, incorporating compassion and humour. She is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience in individual, group and couples psychotherapy. She integrates well-researched methods such as cognitive-behavioural, interpersonal and emotion-focused approaches to assist clients in understanding their concerns and finding solutions.
In couple and group formats, Carol supports clients in finding ways to better communicate with one another. She creates a safe place for exploring, providing feedback, and growing together. In addition to practice within sessions, Carol emphasizes ways to transfer new skills and behaviours to the “real world”. Carol is skilled at helping all clients feel heard, understood, and respected.
Carol completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at UBC and has practiced in numerous hospital and outpatient settings. She has acted as a program coordinator and provides supervision for pre- and post-doctoral therapists. Carol is a Clinical Associate of the Simon Fraser University Psychology Department.
Carol’s areas of practice include:
Individual therapy for: depression, stress & anxiety, relationship concerns, eating disorders, grief and loss, coping with chronic medical illness, self-esteem, and sleep disorders.
Couples counseling for: overcoming relationship tension and conflict, improving and strengthening emotional connection, recovery from affairs, addressing tension related to trying to conceive and infertility, managing relationships in which one or both partners struggle with psychological concerns, and decisions related to commitment.
Group therapy for: couples seeking a workshop format to understand problematic interaction patterns and individuals seeking specific emotional or relationship skills training and peer feedback.
Carol’s schedule is:
Monday – 10AM to 5PM
Wednesday – 10AM to 5PM
Thursday – 9AM to 3PM
Rikki Kumar, M.A., Registered Clinical Counsellor #21905
Registered Psychotherapist #12354
Canadian Certified Counsellor #11244485
Certified Emotionally Focused Individual, Couples and Family Therapist
“It’s complicated.” “I don’t know.” These are often places where it starts. It can seem messy but Rikki believes in getting in there with you to make sense of the layers together. He is gentle yet transparent in his approach. He structures the session towards discovering what is important to you and what hurts, so together you can work towards a way of relating that helps. He listens to understand your challenges and guide you to carve out your own path at your own pace.
Rikki offers support rooted in evidence-based practices and is certified in using Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Having worked with young children, youth, and adults of all ages in his past professions, he is cognizant of adjusting to the varying needs of his clients. When working with multiple people in the room, he actively engages with each person to ensure he gets their perspective. He keeps his ear out for factors like cultural differences, spirituality, sexuality, socio-economic status growing up, and challenges associated with your profession that may have an impact on you and how you show up in the world.
Rikki strongly believes that all persons, regardless of their differences, are deserving of dignity and thus strives to provide all his clients with the same high standards of care. He focuses on helping clients build a meaningful connection with their inner world and nurturing stronger relationships with the people who matter most to them.
Rikki’s areas of practice include:
Counselling for Individuals: Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, trauma, stress, burnout, grief & loss, stuck relationship patterns, life decisions, sexual identity, immigration adjustment, navigating cultural differences.
Counselling for Couples: Conflict and communication issues, loss of intimacy, stuck relationship patterns, navigating cultural differences, rebuilding trust and connection, decisions around commitment.
Counselling for Families: Behavioural challenges, communication; stuck interpersonal patterns between parents, parents and children or adult children, and siblings.
Languages: English, Hindi
Rikki’s schedule is:
Monday – 10AM to 5:30PM
Tuesday – 10AM to 7PM
Thursday – 10AM to 7PM
Friday – 10AM to 5:30PM
Jocelyne Lessard, Ph.D., Registered Psychologist #1537
As a psychologist, Jocelyne is passionate about her work with children, teens, and adults alike. At once warm and practical, she helps you make lasting changes with confidence. A mother herself, she appreciates the challenges today’s parents face in raising healthy, competent children.
Jocelyne’s study of relationships and experience with a number of special populations have led her to recognize the fundamental role that our relationships hold in overcoming adversity. Jocelyne is committed to helping you and your loved ones identify and build on your own sources of resilience through therapy.
Jocelyne completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Simon Fraser University. For over twenty years, she has conducted therapy with people from all walks of life. She is well versed in a number of therapeutic approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Narrative, Developmental, and Solution-focused therapies. She has worked in several community, hospital and forensic settings as a clinician and supervisor. She continues to enjoy supervising and training interns and graduate students.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Jocelyne is fully fluent in French and always welcomes the opportunity to work with Francophones.
Jocelyne’s areas of practice include:
Individual therapy for: Relationship challenges, stress and associated symptoms of anxiety and depression, grief and loss, life transitions, family of origin issues, self-esteem and identity, parenting.
Dyadic/family counselling: supporting parents and/or co-parents to be an effective unit; relationship counselling in support of parent-child and/or parent/teen communication and to strengthen bonds
Child/Adolescent therapy for: managing and adjusting to adversity including separation, divorce, blended families, chronic and/or life threatening illness, medical and psychological trauma, grief and loss, bullying, depression.
Languages: English, French
Jocelyne’s schedule is:
Monday – 9AM to 3PM
Thursday – 9:30AM to 8:30PM
Francine Marx-Zatzick, M.A., Registered Clinical Counsellor #1868
Certified Emotionally Focused Individual and Couples Therapist
EFT Supervisor-in-Training for Couples
When you meet with Francine, you will be greeted by her warmth, openness and authenticity. She holds a deep curiosity and respect for people’s struggles. Her clients appreciate Francine’s candor and astute guidance, as they navigate their challenges together. She helps them to understand themselves better, which ultimately leads to a greater sense of well-being and becoming the person they truly want to be.
Francine brings almost 30 years of experience to her work as a therapist. She studied counselling and somatic psychology at JFK University in California, where she earned her Marriage and Family Therapy license in 2000. Francine has extensive training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy. She carries a mindfulness-based approach in all of her work, helping people to become more self-aware, compassionate and comfortable with their emotions.
While she has worked in a variety of community-based settings with groups and families, Francine currently focuses on working with couples and adult individuals. She is committed to meeting people wherever they are at, and welcomes clients from diverse backgrounds, including gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. She recognizes the importance of helping people with their significant relationships, as well as with their relationship to themselves.
Francine brings a variety of experience supervising therapists at several counselling agencies. Most recently, she developed a supervision group at VCFI for therapists new to private practice.
Francine’s areas of practice include:
Individual Therapy for: anxiety & stress; coping with and recovery from trauma; relationship challenges; parenting including of neurodiverse children; issues around identity and life transitions, grief and loss, and addictive and compulsive behaviours.
Couples Therapy to: improve communication challenges, build trust and safety, manage concerns related to mental health challenges or trauma, improve closeness and connection, work out differences around commitment, and address parenting stressors of all kinds affecting the relationship.
Francine’s schedule is:
Tuesday – 8AM to 5PM
Wednesday – 8AM to 5PM
Friday – 8AM to 5PM
Jennifer Pringle, Ph.D., Registered Psychologist #1921
With a calming and compassionate presence, Jennifer invites couples and adult individuals to address their concerns with her in counselling. Her warmth, empathy, and acceptance of individuality foster a safe environment in which to delve into personal questions from past and present. By considering attachment experiences and sociocultural context, Jennifer assists you in finding new pathways to well-being and healthy relationships. Her optimism about your potential will support you in drawing upon your inner strengths, while her gentle persistence challenges you to create lasting personal changes of which you can be proud.
Jennifer holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is registered as a psychologist in the province of British Columbia. She has been offering Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to couples since 2006, when she trained for two years under the supervision of Dr. Sue Johnson, the developer of the EFT couple therapy model. Jennifer also greatly enjoys offering Hold Me Tight® relationship enhancement workshops for couples. In her work with individuals, she draws from a range of research-based therapy approaches, including emotionally-focused, short-term psychodynamic, and cognitive theories.
Jennifer has published articles and chapters regarding couples’ cooperation, relationship memories, and remarriage. Prior to private practice, she provided therapy in outpatient mental health, university counselling, and forensic settings.
Jennifer’s areas of practice include:
Individual Therapy for: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Stress and coping, Identity and self-esteem, Life and career transitions, Interpersonal concerns, Grief and loss, and Family of origin impacts.
Couples Counselling for: Relationship conflict, Communication, Lack of closeness and connection, Sex and intimacy, Recovery from affairs, Clarifying commitment, Pre-marital counselling, Remarriage concerns.
Jennifer’s schedule is:
Monday – 9AM to 5PM
Tuesday – 10AM to 5PM
Wednesday – 10AM to 6:15PM
Friday – 9AM to 5PM
Kristina Sadrolashrafi, M.C., Registered Clinical Counsellor #22348
Through her warmth and compassion, Kristina strives to create a space where you can be yourself and feel heard. She brings patience and gentleness to her work, understanding the courage it takes to open up. She also honours and affirms diversity as no two clients’ experiences are alike yet connected through being human. Kristina deeply values the power of the therapeutic relationship, recognizing that trust and safety are essential for meaningful growth.
Her practice is collaborative, and trauma informed. She sees her role as supporting and walking alongside you as the “expert” on you and working at a pace that feels safe for you. Her approach is relational, emotionally focused and body-centered, meaning that she will take time to tune into your emotions and bodily sensations as they hold wisdom and insight. In addition, Kristina draws from neurobiology, to guide you in better understanding the mind-body connection. She incorporates various therapeutic modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Parts Work (IFS).
In our work together, we will explore how past experiences may be influencing the present while also focusing on the here and now. By gently exploring patterns, emotions and sensations, we will explore how they are expressed and their impact on you. Kristina’s goals are to explore what may be holding you back from the life you want and cultivating deep and authentic connections with yourself and others – towards embracing your true self.
Kristina is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). She has a Master’s degree in Counselling and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Kristina’s areas of practice include:
Individuals: Trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, relationships and dating, life transitions, sense of self and identity (i.e. self-esteem, self-worth), interpersonal challenges (i.e. emotional regulation, boundaries, communication)
Couples: Communication, intimacy and deepening connections, conflict and tension
Languages: English, Farsi
Kristina’s schedule is:
Virtual: Mondays — 10AM to 6PM
In-person: Tuesdays to Fridays — 10AM to 6PM