Dr. Julie Desmarais – Psychiatrist | Montréal, QC

Dr. Julie Desmarais 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 the Institut Allan Memorial in Montréal, QC, 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 adheres to the high standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ), ensuring professional and ethical care.

Dr. Desmarais holds a Medical Degree from a recognized institution and has over 13 years of experience as a Psychiatrist since 2011. She has completed extensive post-graduate training and holds the necessary certifications to practice Psychiatry (Comprehensive Mental Health Care) in Québec, including licensure from the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) with license number 11558.

Her clinical philosophy is rooted in a commitment to collaborative care, emphasizing patient empowerment through education and understanding. She employs evidence-based treatment approaches and fosters a therapeutic alliance built on trust and respect. She is dedicated to providing personalized mental health services to her patients in Montréal. Dr. Desmarais speaks both French and English, ensuring clear communication and culturally sensitive care for her diverse patient community.

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

Personality Disorders

• Avoidant Personality Disorder: Characterized by social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD): A preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency (distinct from OCD).
• Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): A pattern of disregarding or violating the rights of others, often involving deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability, and lack of remorse.

Anxiety, OCD & Trauma-Related Disorders

• Specific Phobias (e.g., heights, animals, injections): Intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that poses little or no actual danger.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Intense fear or anxiety of social situations where one might be scrutinized by others, leading to avoidance.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Excessive, persistent worry and anxiety about various everyday life events or activities, often difficult to control.

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.
• Schizophrenia: A serious mental disorder affecting how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, often involving delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and impaired functioning.

This list is not exhaustive. Effective mental health care is highly personalized. Please consult with Dr. Julie Desmarais 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.
• Augmentation & Combination Strategies for Treatment-Resistant Conditions: Employing advanced psychopharmacological strategies, including combining medications or adding augmenting agents, for individuals who have not responded adequately to initial treatments.
• Crisis Intervention & Urgent Psychiatric Assessment (in appropriate settings): Providing rapid assessment and intervention for individuals experiencing acute psychiatric crises, such as suicidal ideation, acute psychosis, or severe agitation, typically in emergency departments or crisis clinics.
• 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. Desmarais for care relevant to your specific mental health needs.

All psychiatric services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and relevant psychiatric care guidelines. Contact the clinic or your referring physician regarding new patient intake and referral processes.

Institut Allan Memorial is situated in Montréal's Ville-Marie West (McGill Ghetto, Golden Square Mile East) neighborhood, within easy reach of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve District and Marché Maisonneuve. The facility is accessible via the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) (Métro, Bus), ensuring convenient access for patients. The practice is committed to creating a discreet and welcoming atmosphere, with the facility being wheelchair accessible and designed to provide a comfortable and private environment for all patients. Metered street parking and nearby public lots are available, offering flexible options for patients traveling by car. The location aims to serve as a serene and confidential setting for mental health care in Montréal.

Are psychiatric consultations and treatments with Desmarais, a Psychiatrist, covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

Medically necessary consultations, diagnostic assessments, and medication management provided by a licensed Psychiatrist like Desmarais are generally covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC 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 Desmarais's office or Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

Do I need a referral to see Desmarais, 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 Desmarais 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 Dr. Desmarais?

A referral to a Psychiatrist like Dr. Desmarais 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.

What is the main difference between a Psychiatrist like Desmarais and a Psychologist?

The main difference is that a Psychiatrist, like Desmarais, is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed medical school and then specialized residency training in psychiatry. Because they are physicians, psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage psychotropic medications, and provide various forms of psychotherapy. They can also order medical tests to rule out physical causes of psychiatric symptoms. A Psychologist typically has a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology and is trained in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and providing psychotherapy (talk therapy). Psychologists generally cannot prescribe medication in Canada, though they often work closely with psychiatrists or family doctors who do.

Does Desmarais offer psychotherapy (talk therapy)?

Many psychiatrists, including potentially Desmarais, are trained in various forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy) and may offer it as part of their treatment approach, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with medication. The specific types of psychotherapy offered can vary (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT, psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy). It's best to inquire directly with Desmarais's office or discuss this during your initial consultation to understand her approach to therapy and if it's a service She provides or if She would refer you to another mental health professional like a psychologist or social worker for more intensive or specialized psychotherapy if needed.

Institut Allan Memorial
1025 av des Pins O
Montréal, QC H3A 1A1

Phone: (514) 843-1672 | Fax: (514) 843-2898

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

Dr. Desmarais is a licensed Psychiatrist regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. A referral from a family physician or another medical doctor is typically required for consultations with Dr. Desmarais for services covered by the provincial health plan.

Verify registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=11558