Persephone Larkin, Doctoral Student

Persephone is a Doctoral Candidate in the Clinical Psychology (PhD) program at the University of British Columbia and holds an MA in Clinical Psychology.

Persephone has worked with youth and adults presenting with Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Hoarding Disorder, and Learning Disorders and has completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and other evidence-based modalities. She is continuing to work in these areas to gain further specialization, under the supervision of Dr. Ionita. In her role as a clinician, her primary objective is to establish a secure and collaborative therapeutic environment, empowering clients to navigate their individual challenges, facilitate personal growth, and attain enduring positive transformations, while tailoring her approach to meet clients’ unique needs. Persephone has also gained experience and training in conducting comprehensive assessments for these various mental health issues.

Persephone’s previous research experience also informs her clinical work as she has worked as a research assistance at the Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre in Toronto, in the Intensive Residential Treatment Program for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This experience allowed her to interview clients and family members to gain a better understanding of the concerns that arise among families where someone is struggling with OCD. Persephone holds a genuine enthusiasm for research and is working on her dissertation, exploring the influence of stigma towards those who struggle with hoarding disorder on the utilization of large scale interventions by community service providers.