Dr. Michael Elterman
Michael Elterman, PhD, MBA, R.Psych. (#857)
Dr. Michael Elterman is a registered psychologist whose practice encompasses Clinical and Forensic Psychology.
Dr. Elterman has conducted family-law assessments for 40 years, and this is now his primary area of practice.
Forensic psychology and family law
I have been a psychologist now for 45 years and I bring to my work considerable experience and insight. I try to treat my clients the way I would hope someone in my position would treat a member of my family.
Much of my later work has involved assessments for the Court. These have involved adults and children and most often after the family disruption of a separation. Assessing families involves evaluating the needs of the child in relation to the ability of each parent. The goal is to give children the happiest and healthiest childhood possible which is a core value for me.
Regarding therapy; Michelangelo said that he didn’t sculpt the marble: he just chipped away the unnecessary pieces as the desired form was under there all along. Many people have experiences in life that hinder them and they cannot get past and which need to be resolved before they can move ahead.
In my role as Parent Coordinator I try to educate and mediate disagreements and if that doesn’t work then arbitrate between them. The goal is to manage and deal quickly with conflict when it arises.
Training and clinical leadership
He received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Queen’s University in 1980 and completed a fellowship at the University of Utah Medical Centre. He has served as Senior Psychologist with the Vancouver Health Department and as Director of Psychology at Vancouver General Hospital.