Kiran Matharu
Practicum Student; Clinical Psychology
Kiran Matharu is a Practicum student returning to OICBT as part of the psychological assessment services team. She is supervised by Dr. Nick Schubert, C. Psych (Supervised Practice). Kiran aims to create a safe and collaborative therapeutic space that is centered around each individual’s needs and lived experience.
Kiran is a doctoral student at the University of Ottawa, studying the intersection between psychology and the arts. Specifically, she is researching how music and culture impact wellbeing. She brings this cultural lens into her clinical work as well. Outside of work, Kiran enjoys singing, acting, and volunteering in her communities.
Kiran is currently offering both virtual and in-person services.
About Kiran
- Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology; University of Ottawa, expected 2028; https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/psychology/graduate/clinical-psychology-programs
- Master of Science (M.Sc.), Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour; McMaster University, 2017; https://gs.mcmaster.ca/program/psychology/
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Honours Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 2015; https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/preview_program.php?catoid=53&poid=26984
Kiran’s services (assessment, diagnosis, and treatment) are for adult populations (ages 18-60) within the following area of focus:
- Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar, Post-partum)
- Anxiety (Social, Generalized, Panic, Health, Agoraphobia, Specific)
- Trauma/PTSD
- Obsessive-Compulsive and related disorders (OCD, Hair-pulling, Skin-picking, Body Dysmorphic Disorder)
- Grief/Loss
- Interpersonal/Relational goals
- Health & Lifestyle goals (Balance, Burn-out; Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise)
- Motivational work
- Existential queries (Self-Actualization, Self-Concept/Esteem, Meaning, Purpose, Spirituality)
- Diversity informed-care
Kiran incorporates a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities tailored to each individual’s needs:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Schema Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Mindfulness & Compassion based approaches
- Interpersonal Therapy (ITP)
- 2025: Melody Matte Award; https://uottawa.syntosolution.com/api/downloadDocumentation/7757
- 2024: Murray Brown Student Engagement Award
- 2023: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Grant, Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS-M); https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/funding-opportunity/canada-graduate-research-scholarship-masters-program
Doctoral Training:
- 2023-Present: CPSR (Assessment and Treatment)
- 2025-2026: The Royal (OSP: Ontario Structured Psychotherapy)
- 2024: The Ottawa Hospital (PSOP: Psychosocial Oncology Program)
- 2023: OICBT (Mood and Anxiety Rotation)
Research Publications and Presentations:
- Miranda, D., Lo, J. M., & Matharu, K. (2025). Music, coping with stress, and emotion
regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/aca0000826 - Matharu, K., Berry, M., & Brown, S. (2022). Storytelling as a fundamental form of
acting. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 16(2), 272-289. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000335 - Matharu, K., & Dave, M. (May, 2025). How is subjective wellbeing (happiness) expressed
in Bollywood songs from 1961-2024? Poster presented at the 2025 MHRI Annual Conference. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Matharu, K., & Dave, M. (June, 2024). What are they singing about? A cultural glimpse into the themes of popular Bollywood music from the past 25 years. Poster presented at the CPA2024 Annual National Convention. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Jeong, S., Matharu, K., Miranda, D. (June, 2023). Self-orientation, emotional tone, social
connectedness, and time orientation in song lyrics within albums of Taylor Swift from 2006 to 2022. Poster presented at CPA’s 84th Annual National Convention. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. - Matharu, K., Berry, M., & Brown, S. (May, 2019). Fairy tale reading as a form of acting.
Poster presented at the 12th Annual Canadian National Brain Bee. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. - Matharu, K. (December, 2018). Storytelling as a fundamental form of acting: Exploring
vocal character portrayal. Oral presentation for the PNB Graduate Research Conference hosted by the McMaster Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour department. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. - Matharu, K., Berry, M., & Brown, S. (November, 2018). Fairy tale reading as a form of
acting. Poster presented at the McMaster NeuroMusic Conference. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. - Matharu, K., Berry, M., & Brown, S. (May, 2018). When characters sound “juuust right”:
Fairy tale reading as a form of acting. Poster presented at the Unification of the Arts Conference. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. - Matharu, K. (March, 2018). Fairy tale reading as a form of acting. Oral presentation for the Current Research in Engineering, Science & Technology Conference hosted by the McMaster WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Initiative. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
- Matharu, K., Berry, M., & Brown, S. (October, 2016). “Grandmother, what big eyes you
have!”: Storytelling as a form of acting. Poster presented at the McMaster NeuroMusic Conference. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada