Dr. Franche is a clinical psychologist and consultant in Work Ability Promotion. She is an Adjunct Scientist at the Institute for Work & Health, and Adjunct Professor at School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. She completed her B.A. with Honours at McGill University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She is a registered psychologist with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia (#1866) and with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (#2489).

Dr. Franche’s career path includes clinical, research and senior management experience. After working in Psychology at the Ottawa Rehabilitation Center, she was clinical psychologist for a decade at the Ottawa General Hospital Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit. She then conducted research at the Toronto-based University Network Women’s Health Program and became Scientist at the Institute for Work & Health. She moved to Vancouver to become Director of Disability Prevention Research at the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare Workers, before joining WorkSafe BC as Psychology Advisor and later as Senior Manager in Mental Health Services.

With extensive experience as a consultant, clinician, researcher, mentor, and senior manager, and over 70 peer-reviewed publications in work disability prevention and return to work, Dr. Franche offers consulting services in mental health and work ability promotion to maximize fair, safe, and sustainable work outcomes. She has specialized expertise in clinical case reviews of complex claims involving high stakes and consequences, for insurance companies, university faculty and staff, unions, health authorities and other employers. During the pandemic, she spearheaded several covid-focused initiatives – developing and providing education and tools to front-line case management and rehabilitation staff, and participating to a WSIB-led pan-Canadian Expert panel on readiness for pandemics. Throughout her career, Dr. Franche has been committed to bridging the gap between research and practice by bringing evidence-based practices to a wide range of audiences, including employees, employers, insurance providers, healthcare providers, and policy-makers.

Dr. Franche offers one-to-one/group consultation of disability-related claims; clinical file reviews of complex claims; evidence-based development of tools, guidelines, and interventions; facilitation, education, training, and presentations.