Dr. Joel Town

Dr. Town is a Clinical Psychologist, psychotherapy researcher and teacher. He is registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology. He received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Sheffield, England. Since moving to Halifax, NS he has worked as the clinical lead for the Medically Unexplained Symptoms Clinic at the QE-II Health Sciences Centre. In 2018 he founded Dynamic Health Psychological Services.

He is an Assistant Professor in Dalhousie University’s Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. He has an active program of research on Intensive Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy (ISTDP), emotions in psychotherapy, depression, and somatic symptoms. He has presented and published widely on delivering effective psychotherapy. Dr. Town serves as a Consulting Editor of the American Psychological Association Division 29 journal, Psychotherapy and the Society for Psychotherapy Research journal, Psychotherapy Research. Previous academic appointments include roles as a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield and the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, England.

Dr. Town has over a decade of experience working with adults and young adults who experience a range of mental and emotional health difficulties, school or workplace stress, trauma, and relationship problems. He is trained in a range of psychotherapy approaches and specializes in the teaching, evaluation and practice of ISTDP. He is committed to ensuring high quality, effective and person-centred care.