Dr. Jo Epping-Jordan
Registered Psychologist | Cordova Bay
Areas of Expertise: Health Behaviour Change, Adjustment to Illness or Injury, Chronic Pain, Grief & Loss, Professional Stress, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Problems (Insomnia)
Programs: Sleep
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by the mind–body connection: the ways our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours shape physical health, and how chronic medical conditions and pain affect psychological well‑being. My treatment approach is rooted in this understanding: body affects mind, and mind affects body. I am committed to helping clients recognize these connections and use them to build healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Another cornerstone of my philosophy is a deep commitment to evidence‑based practice. I see my role as interpreting clinical research through the lens of each person’s values, culture, preferences, and daily realities. I stay engaged with emerging research and innovations, including promising approaches showing that many forms of chronic pain can be significantly reduced—or even eliminated—through psychological interventions such as Pain Reprocessing Therapy and Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy.
I am also passionate about health policy and system reform. My career has taken me around the world, including years at the World Health Organization working in mental health policy, chronic care improvement, and chronic disease prevention. I’ve authored numerous scientific publications in leading journals such as JAMA, BMJ, and The Lancet. When I’m not in the clinic or thinking about how to strengthen our health system, you’ll likely find me hiking through the forest or enjoying the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.
Let’s stay in touch:
Website: https://www.eppingjordan.com
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Psychological Treatment of Chronic Pain: Recent research has shown that most chronic pain is often the result of learned neural pathways in the brain. This type of pain continue even after the injury or illness that caused it has healed or gone away. In addition to other pain management techniques, I offer Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET). Both approaches are grounded in contemporary neuroscience and have been shown to help reverse chronic pain and other persistent physical symptoms.
Health Behaviour Change: Changing health habits is difficult - if it were easy, billions of people struggling around the world would have already made the changes they want. The good news is that proven behavioural techniques can increase the odds of success. I take a practical and personalized approach to help clients succeed with their health goals.
Adjustment to Illness (especially cancer) or Injury: Chronic or life-limiting illnesses and injuries typically have a profound effect on day-to-day life. I draw from my decades of work with cancer patients and their families, as well as those experiencing other chronic conditions and injuries, to offer practical suggestions and skills for navigating successfully.
Grief and Loss: I support people through bereavement and other losses by helping them to acknowledge their emotions, honour what they have lost, create new connections and routines, and ultimately rebuild a rich and meaningful life.
Sleep Problems (Insomnia): As part of Tall Tree's Sleep Team, I offer comprehensive assessments, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i), and support for mental health issues that can affect sleep. I also help connect clients to other health professionals who can help with issues such as sleep apnea, restless legs, and perimenopausal sleep problems.
Professional Stress: Stress that's left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. And professional stress is far and away the major source of stress for adults. My approach for professional stress usually includes teaching breathing and other relaxation skills, supporting the adoption of healthier habits such as regular physical activity and adequate sleep opportunities, and finding ways to effectively decompress and achieve greater work-life equilibrium.
Anxiety Disorders: This includes phobias, panic disorder, health anxiety, and pervasive worry (generalized anxiety disorder). I typically use cognitive behavioural techniques, including relaxation skills, identifying and changing anxiety-related thought patterns, and eventually, confronting feared situations and contexts.
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Individual Psychotherapy for Adults (ages 19+ accepted; core specialization is ages 30+)
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain (EAET)
Brief Interventions (including Single Session Therapy)
Behavioural Therapy, including Exposure Therapy for Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), including CBT-i for Insomnia
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skill Development (DBT skills)
Mindfulness and Acceptance-based Approaches
Self Compassion-based Approaches
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EDUCATION:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology, University of Vermont Department of Psychology
Internship in Clinical Psychology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine
Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pain Research and Behavioral Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine
QUALIFICATIONS:
Licensed Psychologist, British Columbia and Washington State
Registrant, National Register of Health Service Psychologists
POST-DOCTORAL TRAINING and CERTIFICATIONS (PARTIAL LIST OF RECENT TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS):
Primary Care Psychology, 2026
Emotion Awareness and Acceptance Therapy (EAET), 2025
Focused ACT for Brief Interventions, 2025
Psychological Treatment of Anxiety-Related Disorders and Perfectionism, 2024
Cognitive Behavioural Theory for Insomnia, 2023
Pain Reprocessing Therapy, 2022
Book now with Dr. Jo
Call: (250) 658 9222
Email: cordovabay@talltreehealth.ca
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