About
Gabriela Ionita, PhD, is a faculty member in the Psychology Department at 51Ç鱨վ, where she teaches counselling theories and skills , where she teaches counselling theories and skills and supervises undergraduate honours research. Her teaching emphasizes a student-centered approach, integrating research and clinical experience to help students develop practical counselling skills and a strong foundation in evidence-based practice.
Gabriela’s research and clinical interests include psychotherapy processes and outcomes, evidence-based psychological interventions, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, ADHD, and neurodiversity. More recently, her interests have expanded to sport and performance psychology, particularly helping gymnasts navigate fear, mental blocks, and performance-related challenges.
In addition to her academic role, Gabriela is a Licensed Psychologist and the founder and Clinical Director of Nova Mental Health in North Vancouver. In 2026, she co-authored TRAIN with Confidence: A Gymnast’s Complete Guide to Navigating Fear, Overcoming Mental Blocks, and Returning to Your Skills with Natalia Purcel, a book that draws on psychological principles to help gymnasts navigate fear, overcome mental blocks, and build confidence.
Clinical Interests
Child and Adolescent Therapy; Anxiety, Depression; OCD; PTSD; Self-Injury; ADHD; Family Interactions; CBT; Narrative; Play, Sand, and Art Therapy.
Professional Affiliations and Community Service
- 2019 - present, Member, College of Psychologists of BC.
- R. Psych (BC College of Psychologists)
Hobbies and Interests
Hiking, Biking, Swimming, and watching Netflix.
Education and credentials
- PhD, McGill University
- MA, Simon Fraser University
- BA, Simon Fraser University
Publications and other research outputs
Book
Ionita, G., & Purcel, N. (2026). TRAIN with Confidence: A Gymnast’s Complete Guide to Navigating Fear, Overcoming Mental Blocks, and Returning to Your Skills.
Selected peer-reviewed publications
Ionita, G., Ciquier, G., & Fitzpatrick, M. (2020). Barriers and facilitators to the use of progress monitoring measures in psychotherapy. Canadian Psychology.
Ionita, G., Fitzpatrick, M., Tomaro, J., Chen, V., & Overington, L. (2016). Challenges of using progress monitoring measures: Insights from practicing clinicians. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(2), 173.
Knowls, M., Ionita, G., Tomaro, J., & Fitzpatrick, M. (2016). Progress monitoring measures: The interaction of clinician initial motivation with selection and maintenance issues. Psychology, 7(3), 444–458.
Ionita, G., & Fitzpatrick, M. (2014). Bringing science to clinical practice: A Canadian survey of psychological practice and usage of progress monitoring measures. Canadian Psychology, 55(3), 187–196.
Overington, L., & Ionita, G. (2012). Progress monitoring measures: A brief guide. Canadian Psychology, 53(2), 82–92.
Ross, D., Ionita, G., & Wiltsey-Stirman, S. (2016). System-wide implementation of client-reported outcome monitoring in a national network of operational stress injury clinics. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research.
Courses taught
Awards
- Best Paper of the Year Award, Canadian Psychology
- Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRSQ), Doctoral Research Funding