Dr. Brooke Johanna Duncan – Psychiatrist | Claresholm, AB

Dr. Brooke Johanna Duncan is a dedicated Psychiatrist specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in adults, and may see older adolescents for certain conditions. Practicing at a mental health clinic or hospital department in Claresholm, AB, she is a key member of the local mental healthcare community. She provides comprehensive psychiatric care, including diagnostic assessment, medication management, and psychotherapeutic interventions for a variety of conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders. Her practice is committed to providing confidential and respectful mental health care, fostering a safe space for patients to explore their concerns and work towards recovery and well-being.

Dr. Duncan graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Alberta (Canada). She holds specialty certification as a Psychiatrist and has completed extensive post-graduate training, acquiring the necessary credentials to practice Psychiatry (Comprehensive Mental Health Care) in Alberta. Her certifications ensure she is well-equipped to deliver specialized mental health services aligned with provincial standards and best practices.

With a clinical philosophy rooted in collaborative care, Dr. Duncan emphasizes patient empowerment through education and understanding. She adopts evidence-based treatment approaches and fosters a therapeutic alliance built on trust and respect. Dedicated to serving the community in Claresholm, she provides care exclusively in English, ensuring clear communication and personalized treatment for each patient.

Dr. Brooke Duncan provides assessment and treatment for a wide spectrum of mental health conditions, including:

Other Psychiatric Conditions & Focus Areas

• Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder - psychiatric co-management): Serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviors that negatively impact health, emotions, and ability to function, often requiring multidisciplinary care including psychiatric management.
• Impulse Control Disorders (e.g., Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Kleptomania): Difficulties controlling impulses or urges, leading to behaviors that are harmful to oneself or others.

Schizophrenia Spectrum & Other Psychotic Disorders

• Brief Psychotic Disorder: A sudden, short-term episode of psychotic behavior, often following a highly stressful event, lasting less than one month.
• Delusional Disorder: Characterized by one or more firmly held false beliefs (delusions) that persist for at least one month, without other prominent symptoms of schizophrenia.

Mood Disorders

• Bipolar Disorder (Type I, Type II, Cyclothymia): Characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration, ranging from depressive lows to manic or hypomanic highs.
• Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood: Development of emotional or behavioral symptoms like sadness or hopelessness in response to an identifiable stressor occurring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor.
• Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): A severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with significant mood swings, irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before menstruation.

This list is not exhaustive. Effective mental health care is highly personalized. Please consult with Dr. Brooke Duncan for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.

• Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity/Competency Evaluation - specific contexts): Specialized evaluations to determine an individual's mental capacity to make informed decisions regarding treatment, finances, or other legal matters, often in forensic or geriatric settings.
• Group Therapy (various focuses, e.g., mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, DBT skills): Facilitating therapeutic groups where individuals with similar concerns can share experiences, learn coping strategies, and receive mutual support under the guidance of a therapist.
• Comprehensive Psychiatric Assessment & Diagnostic Evaluation: In-depth clinical interview to assess mental health status, including review of psychiatric and medical history, family history, psychosocial factors, symptom patterns, and formulation of a multiaxial diagnosis according to DSM/ICD criteria.
• Neuropsychiatric Evaluation & Cognitive Assessment (Initial Screening/Referral): Initial assessment of cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms, with referral for detailed neuropsychological testing if indicated, to differentiate psychiatric from neurological conditions.
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy / Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: Exploratory therapy focused on understanding how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence current feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - Skills Training / Informed Therapy: Providing DBT-informed therapy or facilitating DBT skills groups to help individuals manage intense emotions, reduce self-harming behaviors, and improve relationships, particularly for borderline personality disorder.

Note: This list provides a general overview. Treatment approaches are highly individualized. Please discuss with Dr. Duncan for care relevant to your specific mental health needs.

All psychiatric services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and relevant psychiatric care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.

Located in a mental health clinic or hospital department in Claresholm, AB, Dr. Duncan’s practice is situated in an area near central Claresholm, providing easy access for patients from surrounding neighborhoods. The facility is conveniently accessible via local public transit, with ample parking options available, some with direct building access. The practice is designed to maintain a discreet and welcoming atmosphere, with wheelchair accessibility and a focus on providing a comfortable and private environment for all patients. Patients can expect a professional setting in a community-oriented environment, close to local points of interest and well integrated into the local healthcare infrastructure.

Are psychiatric consultations and treatments with Duncan, a Psychiatrist, covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

Medically necessary consultations, diagnostic assessments, and medication management provided by a licensed Psychiatrist like Duncan are generally covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB when a referral from a family doctor is in place. Coverage for psychotherapy services provided by a psychiatrist can vary; some provinces cover it, while others may have limitations or it may be part of hospital-based programs. Specific medications may also require special authorization or be subject to formulary restrictions. It's crucial to discuss coverage specifics for therapy or any specialized treatments with Duncan's office or Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).

Do I need a referral to see Duncan, a Psychiatrist?

Yes, a referral from your family physician or another medical doctor (e.g., a pediatrician for child psychiatry, or an ER physician for urgent assessment) is almost always required to see a Psychiatrist such as Duncan for services covered by the provincial health plan. Mental health conditions often benefit from initial assessment by a primary care provider who can determine the need for specialist psychiatric care. The referral ensures coordinated care, appropriate triaging, and transfer of relevant medical history.

When should someone consider a referral to a Psychiatrist like Duncan?

A referral to a Psychiatrist like Dr. Duncan is typically considered when mental health symptoms are severe, persistent, complex, or not responding adequately to initial treatments provided by a family doctor or therapist. This can include: thoughts of suicide or self-harm; severe depression or mania; psychosis (hallucinations, delusions); debilitating anxiety or panic attacks; complex PTSD; severe OCD; suspected bipolar disorder or schizophrenia; treatment-resistant depression; or when medication management by a specialist is indicated. Psychiatrists are also consulted for diagnostic clarification and comprehensive treatment planning, especially for co-occurring conditions.

How is confidentiality handled in psychiatric care?

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychiatric care. Information you share with Dr. Duncan and her team is kept private and protected by law and professional ethics. This means your information will not be disclosed to anyone without your explicit consent, except in very specific situations where there is a legal obligation or an immediate risk of serious harm to yourself or others (e.g., imminent risk of suicide or homicide, child abuse, or a court order). Dr. Duncan will typically discuss the limits of confidentiality with you at the beginning of your treatment.

What does a Psychiatrist like Duncan specialize in?

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed specialized training in psychiatry, which is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists can prescribe medication. She is a Psychiatrist who assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders through medication, psychotherapy, or other interventions. Duncan is trained to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems and can provide a range of treatments including psychotherapy, medications, and sometimes other interventions like ECT or rTMS. She specializes in psychiatry-specific roles such as comprehensive mental health assessments, medication management, and psychotherapy tailored to individual needs.

PO Box 490
Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0

Phone: (403) 682-3500

The facility is wheelchair accessible and aims to provide a comfortable and private environment for all patients.

Dr. Duncan is a licensed Psychiatrist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) under the Health Professions Act in AB. A referral from a family physician or another medical doctor is typically required for consultations with Dr. Duncan for services covered by the provincial health plan.

Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=a8e8c6e2-b7a7-47ee-81b2-8bd6bc997381&i=403