Originally from Mexico, Hilda Fernandez-Alvarez is a psychoanalyst who worked more than 10 years for Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). With a background in clinical psychology, literature and geography, Fernandez-Alvarez used her diverse knowledge-base to support her doctoral research in the Department of Geography to guide changes in clinical practice.

Fernandez-Alvarez’s rich and inter-disciplinary research looked into the challenges of providing trauma services in Vancouver mental health teams, outlining how, why, and where stablished practices supporting mental health avoid facing the complexity of trauma, limiting the ability to support people’s psychological and social needs. Her research was awarded with a Team Grant funded by the prestigious VCH Research Institute.

In addition to her academic work, Fernandez-Alvarez is devoted to alleviating psychical distress, both practicing psychoanalysis and working as a mental health therapist with VCH. She also was busy presenting at conferences, writing papers for publication, leading as Clinical Director of the Lacan Salon and as an Associate with SFU’s Institute for the Humanities.  Upon the completion of her doctorate she is conducting a seminar for VCH clinicians to improve the organization and provision of mental health services.

Fernandez-Alvarez’s supervisor, Paul Kingsbury, has high praise for her work. Says Kingsbury,
“I believe Hilda’s dissertation, which external examiner Dr. Vanheule described as a ‘superb’ and ‘exceptionally good thesis,’ is a model for graduate studies at SFU insofar as it foregrounds research that is at once courageous, engaging, and impactful.”

Says Fernandez-Alvarez, “I feel truly honored and grateful for this award. It took me seven years to complete my doctorate degree and it was effort, frustration and satisfaction in equal dose. Such a journey would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues, friends and family, but also the amazing community one finds at Simon Fraser University.

“People in the Department of Geography were always caring, supportive and kind. My supervisor, Dr. Kingsbury, was an amazing friend who offered me relentless support and intellectual guidance, allowing me to write the thesis that I wanted to write. At SFU I always felt respected and free to pursue ideas I was genuinely interested in. I am very thankful for my time at SFU and the people I found within.”