Introduction to community psychology in Canada: Past, present, and future.

The introduction to the special section on community psychology in Canada provides background information about the field in Canada and provides summaries of the four articles and the commentary that comprise the issue. The articles address (a) theory, research, and practice in community psychology; (b) training in community psychology; (c) community psychology practice; and (d) a vision for the future of community psychology in Canada. These articles highlight the many contributions of Canadian community psychologists to a field that is growing throughout the world to address pressing social problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hospital psychology in Canada.

Examined Canadian hospital psychology in terms of the existing organizational models, professional practices, academic activities, and professional orientations of hospital psychologists in a survey of 340 hospitals. Results reveal that psychologists were active clinically and academically in Canadian hospitals in a wide variety of health care areas in addition to traditional mental health areas. In the majority of hospitals, psychologists were organized in independent departments of psychology or behavioral science, although physician influence appeared to be a strong factor in practice. Medical staff membership and academic appointments for hospital psychologists were relatively low. Recommendations for the future development of hospital psychology in Canada are outlined. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contributions of Canadian community psychology.

The contributions of Canadian community psychologists to ethics, theory, methodology, research, and practise are highlighted in this article. Important debates about ethical issues in psychological research and practise have been advanced by Canadian community psychologists. Canadian community psychologists have also introduced theoretical perspectives (e.g., cognitive community psychology) that have provided an impetus for research and practise, and they have broadened the focus of research in community settings with contributions to participatory action research, program evaluation, and qualitative methods. A variety of substantive contributions have been made to the research literature, especially in the areas of community mental health, prevention, and social inclusion. Finally, Canadian community psychologists have contributed to practise in terms of policy, programs, and social interventions. The article concludes with a discussion of future potential areas of contribution for Canadian community psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional practice out of the urban context: Defining Canadian rural psychology.

There is an often unacknowledged difference between urban and rural practice in psychology which lacks clarity, in part, because of the lack of a common definition of rurality. Rural psychology in Canada presents complex and nuanced aspects of professional practice. The professional and social milieus of rural communities position the practising psychologist within a context that may differ vastly from urban settings. The rural context highlights the need to define this specific practice setting. This paper proposes a tentative definition of rural Canadian professional practice in psychology. This is meant to elucidate the distinct practice, training, and ethical considerations that may be the realities of the psychologists who are in professional practice in rural Canada. Rural professional practice is unique and Canadian training programs are urban-based. Training of future psychologists needs to acknowledge the unique features of rural practice to meet our obligations to students specifically and to rural Canadians generally. This is enhanced with a shared definition of rural professional practice in psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The science and practice of empirically supported treatments.

The impact on Canadian professional psychological treatment practices of the American Psychological Association""s Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) Task Force""s development of criteria and listings for empirically supported psychological treatments, along with other industrial efforts to standardize the identification of treatments with established efficacy is described in the article by J. Hunsley et al (see record 1999-01869-001). Here Hunsley et al extend their previous discussion and reply to other commentaries (see records 1999-01869-002, 1999-01869-003, 1999-01869-004, 1999-01869-005, 1999-01869-006) by viewing the current emphases in the Canadian health care system on accountability and empirically supported treatment (ESTs) as an unparalleled opportunity for professional psychology to deliver on its birthright. The generalizability of US experiences to Canadian contexts is discussed. Clinical practice guidelines should and will become the norm for providing evidence-based services in psychology, yet it would be impossible to develop such a guideline without empirical evidence proving that there are "best" interventions for a given problem. Canadian research issues in this light are discussed along with future challenges to professional psychology in Canada. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The ethics of psychology as a business: What is a fair return?

Addresses the ethical issues associated with establishing a fee structure in private practice based on current trends in Canadian psychology and the existing ethical codes and standards for Canadian psychologists. A number of forces impacting on the delivery and nature of psychological service in Canada are reviewed followed by a critique of relevant codes and standards. Recommendations for establishing a fee structure in private practice are provided based on the critique, alternative ethical codes, and existing literature. It is suggested that when economic necessity forces Canadian psychologists to turn to private practice as their primary source of income, potential conflict between self interest and public interest may arise. Exploration of this conflict raises many unanswered questions regarding the combination of business ethics with the ethics of psychology. To answer these questions and help resolve potential ethical conflicts, further examination and discussion amongst psychologists and their professional associations is recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial. On Tub Thumping.

The current issue of the Canadian Psychologist presents coordinated contributions which identify emerging issues in Canadian psychology and offers data-supported comment on academic, numerical and publication characteristics of Canadian psychologists. The reader will catch the sense of decision for psychology in Canada--with respect to the internal balance, priorities and goals of the discipline, and for our interface (or lack of it) with accelerating change in goals and methods of society in general. This editorial also discusses a lack of communication among psychologists in Canada. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirically supported interventions: Announcing a new standing section of School Psychology Quarterly.

We are delighted to introduce a new standing section of School Psychology Quarterly entitled "Empirically Supported Interventions" (ESI). This section will be devoted to publishing (a) reviews of the empirical literature on prevention and intervention; (b) reports of original empirical work that enhance our knowledge of empirically supported programs; (c) empirically supported practice parameters or best practices guidelines aimed at improving the clinical behavior of school psychologists and related professionals; (d) methodological approaches or technologies for advancing empirically supported interventions; and (e) scholarly analyses of criteria used to identify empirically supported interventions. The inauguration of the ESI section of School Psychology Quarterly represents a new era in research for our profession that we hope will usher in advancements for both the science and practice of school psychology. The former will be addressed by applying rigorous empirical standards to evaluate intervention research. For the latter, we hope to provide research data that are directly relevant to the application of psychology in school and community settings, thus strengthening the ties between science and practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Graduate training and research funding for clinical psychology in Canada: Review and recommendations.

Graduate training programs for clinical psychologists in Canada have almost uniformly developed around variations of one model - the scientist-practitioner. Training in this model, as it is exemplified in Canadian universities, may not result in appropriate preparation for the manpower needs of the future. Some alternate models are outlined in terms of possible changes in the role of the psychologist working in applied settings. Research and research funding problems in clinical psychology are inextricably related to the same problems for other areas of psychology, and the great need for more "bridging" research between the separate areas of psychology is emphasized. Recommendations on research funding policies are proposed in respect to the research needs of psychology and to the research needs of the community at large. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Phenomenological Research Methods for Counseling Psychology.

This article familiarizes counseling psychologists with qualitative research methods in psychology developed in the tradition of European phenomenology. A brief history includes some of Edmund Husserl's basic methods and concepts, the adoption of existential-phenomenology among psychologists, and the development and formalization of qualitative research procedures in North America. The choice points and alternatives in phenomenological research in psychology are delineated. The approach is illustrated by a study of a recovery program for persons repeatedly hospitalized for chronic mental illness. Phenomenological research is compared with other qualitative methods, and some of its benefits for counseling psychology are identified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Geropsychology training in Canada: A survey of doctoral and internship programs.

The Canadian Psychological Association emphasises the importance of diversity training for doctoral and internship programs, and age is an important aspect of diversity. Yet, little is known about training capacity in clinical geropsychology in Canada. To address this issue, the authors surveyed directors of clinical training in all accredited clinical and counselling psychology doctoral and internship programs in Canada. Responses from 92% (n = 43) of these programs indicated that there are no doctoral programs in Canada with a formal concentration in geropsychology; however, 40% of internships offer a major rotation in geropsychology and a further 48% offer a minor rotation. Training activities are largely focused on the diagnosis and assessment of mental health problems, with relatively less attention to therapeutic interventions. Data are presented on the availability of geropsychology resources (e.g., faculty/clinical supervisors, courses, practicum, research opportunities) and the perceived need for geropsychology training. Recommendations for enhancing geropsychology training capacity in Canada are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to special issue.

The purpose of this Special Issue of Canadian Psychology is to celebrate the significant role the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists has played since its first adoption by the Canadian Psychological Association in 1986, 25 years ago. Twelve articles, two in French, are included. The articles describe the process of the Code's continuing evolution, its applicability in the different legal framework of Quebec, investigations into the Code, and its application to old and new ethical issues related to research, teaching, and practice (e.g., the development of research ethics in Canada, the use of vignettes in ethics teaching, mandatory self-disclosure by students, rural psychology, the use of technology, and humanitarian work). The final article provides a series of commentaries by psychologists from other countries regarding the Code and its international impact. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Law and psychology in Canada: The need for training and research.

Since most laws are enacted to regulate behavior, the law must make various assumptions about the way people act and how those actions can be controlled. The social scientific knowledge and skills of psychologists have many broad applications to the law. However, the full potential of law and psychology has not yet been realized in Canada. There are no joint law and psychology graduate programs in Canada, and a majority of the current psychological research has been narrowly focused on forensic issues. There is a need for increased training and research in this area to address unique Canadian issues and to avoid continued dependence on American psycholegal scholars. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian counselling psychologists' contributions to applied psychology.

The goal of this paper is to draw attention to the contributions of Canadian counselling psychologists in three key areas central to the discipline: (a) multiculturalism, social justice, and advocacy; (b) health, wellness, and prevention, and (c) career psychology. Accordingly, we have situated our discussion within a historical framework of the discipline followed by a discussion of the Canadian context, definitions, and specific contributions. Finally, we offer a summary of the strengths and current challenges faced by Canadian counselling psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Professional psychology in transition.

Reviews the book, Professional psychology in transition by Herbert D?rkin and Associates (see record 1986-97926-000). This edited volume is a must for at least two groups of psychologists in Canada: (1) those interested in expanding and strengthening their share of the psychological services market; and (2) those interested in the development of psychology as a profession. The book contains three sections. The first, entitled "Trends in the Profession," documents the nature, scope, and influence of psychology's 45,000 licensed psychologists in the US. Sections 2 and 3 move us closer to the Canadian experience. Section 2 focuses on training and practice issues, and should be read by all those who train professional psychologists. Section 3 deals with economics and competition and presents us with some intriguing glimpses of our future. The book is highly recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Edward C. Webster (1909-1989).

Presents an obituary for Edward C. Webster, recipient of the 1982 Distinguished Award for Contributions to Canadian Psychology as a Profession and Professor Emeritus of McGill University. Webster died on February 15, 1989. His career was dedicated to the application of psychological principles to real life problems, not just in practice but in research, in administration, and in service to his profession and community. Although committed to the development of applied psychology generally, Ed's major impact on theory and research was in industrial psychology, particularly in personnel selection. Like many other practitioners, he made extensive use of the interview as an information gathering technique, upon which recommendations to hire were based. Another major contribution he made to Canadian professional psychology was undoubtedly the role he played in the Couchiching Conference on the training of applied psychologists, which culminated in the book he wrote in 1967, The Couchiching Report: Training in Professional Psychology in Canada. Ed Webster will be long remembered for his commitment to and promotion of applied psychology at McGill and in Canada, for his contributions to the literature in personnel selection, and for his support of the work of students and colleagues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dalbir Bindra: 1922-1980.

Presents an obituary for Dalbir Bindra, the quintessence of the rational man. From an early age he dedicated himself with uncommon objectivity and analytic skill to psychology as science. For him the important problem in psychology was the concomitance of neural and behavioural events. This classic problem has fascinated some of the great minds in the history of thought. With courage, persistence, optimism, and singleness of purpose, he applied all his theoretical and experimental skills to this problem. His faith in science was unusually strong. Dalbir Bindra throughout his career was active in psychology in Canada and played an important role in its growth. One of his interests was financial support for research in psychology. He wrote reports and published papers on this topic. From 1962-68 he was chairperson of the Associate Committee on Experimental Psychology of the National Research Council of Canada. He was President of the Canadian Psychological Association in 1958-59. He was awarded the Canadian Centennial Medal in 1967. He was a Fellow of the Canadian and American Psychological Associations. In 1973 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, one of the very few psychologists in Canada to be so honored. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

“The disadvantaged psychological scene”: Educational experiences of women in early Canadian psychology.

This article discusses three distinct patterns that characterise the educational experiences of prominent women psychologists who obtained their PhDs in Canada prior to the 1950s. First, these women obtained their PhDs in psychology in Central Canadian universities versus universities in Western or Eastern Canada. Second, these women made a later entrance into the field of psychology compared with the early prominent women psychologists in the United States. Finally, most of the prominent women in early Canadian psychology did not encounter barriers to attaining their PhDs. This article provides a necessary first step toward constructing a more complete history of women in early Canadian psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirically supported treatments in psychology: Implications for Canadian professional psychology.

Examines several interconnected efforts to develop evidence-based practice in professional psychology. We first review the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 12 (Clinical Psychology) Task Force on the Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures' development of criteria and listings for empirically supported psychological treatments. Next, we present related efforts to develop procedures to identify treatments that have established efficacy and to develop practice guidelines. The possible impact of these initiatives on Canadian professional psychology in the domains of training, credentialing, practice, and research are then examined. Finally, we present recommendations for steps that should be taken by Canadian psychology organizations to respond to these initiatives in order to ensure that psychological practice in Canada is optimally supported by scientific evidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)