Nicole Dorfan, a woman with long brown hair, glasses, and a teal dress, stands against a plain light background, smiling with hands folded in front.

Nicole Dorfan, Ph.D., R.Psych.

Assistant Professor

Clinical Psychology

Vancouver

“Practice brings learning to life.”

ndorfan@adler.edu

OVERVIEW

Dr. Dorfan is a registered psychologist with more than 20 years of experience specializing in evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Her career spans hospital and private practice settings, where she has been recognized for her work in applying and teaching cognitive behavioural therapy.

At Adler University in Vancouver, she serves as an assistant professor in the Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program. Dr. Dorfan teaches courses in diagnostic and clinical interviewing, cognitive behavioural interventions, trauma treatment, professional ethics, and clinical supervision. A strong advocate for experiential learning, she is dedicated to helping students build competence, compassion, cultural humility, and self-reflection in their professional practice.

MEMBERSHIPS + ASSOCIATIONS

  • Registered Psychologist, College of Health and Care Professionals of BC
  • Member of the Canadian Psychological Association
  • Member of the British Columbia Psychological Association
  • Member of the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies

PRESENTATIONS + PUBLICATIONS

Presentations

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Body Dissatisfaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Summary

2023 Canadian Psychological Association 2023 National Convention – Toronto, ON, Canada
Author(s): Boyle, S., Dorfan, N., & Sepehry, A.

Publications

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Body Dissatisfaction: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

2025 Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1-15.
Author(s): Boyle, S., Dorfan, N., & Sepehry, A. A.
Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.70021

Including Clinical Psychologists in Assertive Community Treatment Teams 

2023 Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) – Community Psychology Website
Author(s): Powell, C., Ma, J., & Dorfan, N.
Publication Link: https://www.communitypsychology.com/including-clinical-psychologists-in-acts/

Assessing OCD symptoms and severity

2012 In G. Steketee (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Obsessive Compulsive and Spectrum Disorders (pp. 253–274). Oxford University Press.
Author(s): Dorfan, N. M., & Woody, S. R.

Danger appraisals as prospective predictors of disgust and avoidance of contaminants

2011 Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30, 105–132
Author(s): Dorfan, N. M., & Woody, S. R.

Does threatening imagery sensitize distress during contaminant exposure?

2006 Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 395–413
Author(s): Dorfan, N. M., & Woody, S. R.

Do patients drop out prematurely from exposure therapy for PTSD?

2003 Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16, 555–562
Author(s): Hembree, E. A., Foa, E. B., Dorfan, N. M., Street, G. P., Kowalski, J., & Tu, X.

RESEARCH INTERESTS + OPPORTUNITIES

Dr. Dorfan is interested in factors that influence treatment outcomes. She has conducted research on predictors of avoidance and habituation of distress, drop-out rates in PTSD treatments, and the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. More recently, her research with graduate students has included evaluation of cultural factors, clinician bias, wellness and resilience.