OPA members were recently invited to submit a few words that highlighted the various projects and initiatives that represent a current area of focus within the field of psychology.
The submissions received were broad in both topic and scope! See below for a few of the most recent submissions.
OPA Spotlights
Dr. Rebecca Douglas
How long have you been a member of the OPA?
I don't remember! 5 years, maybe?
What prompted you to join the OPA?
Connection with my colleagues in Ontario, and to keep up to date on provincial issues.
What attracted you to the field of Psychology?
I've had an interest in human behaviour since childhood. I read mysteries and detective fiction voraciously and grew up in a home with science and healthcare professionals. This all coalesced into a desire to pursue psychology as a profession, where I could keep learning and apply that knowledge to support others.
What is your current area of focus or practice?
Clinical & Forensic Psychology! A perfect synergy of my interests.
What is an area/topic of Psychology that you feel more people should know about?
The whole area of mental health and violence - so many myths, which perpetuate such stigma.
What's a project or initiative you’re currently involved in that you’d like others to know about? (This is your ten second elevator pitch!):
Implementing a computer assisted treatment for substance use & mental health with our program. It's called Breaking Free, and it was designed in the UK by psychologists.
What can readers of this spotlight reach out to you for? What’s the best way for them to do so?
I'm always open to chatting about the role of psychology in the forensic & justice systems, myths & facts about violence and mental health, and innovations in psychological intervention with marginalized populations! I can be reached via: [email protected]
To follow along with Dr. Douglas, please check out:
Dr. Barb Virley
How long have you been a member of the OPA?
Around 4-5 years
What prompted you to join the OPA?
Connect with a community of other Ontario-based psychologists; stay on top of trends, research, etc.
What attracted you to the field of Psychology?
I had the great privilege of working with a fabulous mentor in my undergrad program at Wilfrid Laurier U, specifically in community psychology. For me, community psychology was the perfect blend of science and practice and taught me to consider how macro factors influence individual mental health factors. In my third year of undergrad studies, he said, "Have you thought about grad school?" And so I did. Similarly, my training in clinical-community psychology at the undergrad and then graduate level has grounded me in recognizing that people exist within a larger context, which must always be considered in their mental health journey.
What is your current area of focus or practice?
I currently work as a clinical manager for a mental health organization called Layla Care. Our vision is to empower Canadians to take control of their mental health needs. We are a human-first, tech-powered organization that seeks to bridge the gap between wanting help and getting it in a timely, curated way. We have a team of over 200 diverse licensed mental health professionals (all Master’s or PhD-level regulated healthcare professionals) in ON, NS, AB and BC who speak 23 different languages, and have lived experiences in disability and LGBTQ2+ communities. Our team of trained care coordinators work with clients to find a therapist personalized to their needs and preferences, and set up an individual, couples' and/or family therapy session within 2 weeks of requesting service. Layla also offers ongoing DBT focused group therapy options to clients seeking alternative settings.
What is an area/topic of Psychology that you feel more people should know about?
In our current climate, and given the divisive issues we face as a society, I feel like how to listen well is becoming an increasingly lost practice. Psychology research and practice have so much to offer about how to communicate more effectively. I think sharing this knowledge far and wide would benefit all of us.
What's a project or initiative you’re currently involved in that you’d like others to know about? (This is your ten second elevator pitch!):
Right now at Layla Care we're working on several exciting projects! For example, I'm involved in developing a virtual product for individuals aged 16 years + that aims to significantly decrease wait times for psychological assessment for ADHD, mood issues and trauma. Our goal is to help clients clarify their mental health needs as quickly as possible and, if relevant, make diagnoses and recommendations so they can access the supports to succeed at work, home and/or school. As with all our Layla products, this service will be human-first but leverage technology to make the process as warm and streamlined as possible.
What can readers of this spotlight reach out to you for? What’s the best way for them to do so?
If readers are looking for a different way to connect with mental health services, they can contact me at [email protected], or visit our website at www.layla.care.
To follow along with Dr. Virley, please check out:
- Dr. Barb Virley on Linkedin
- Layla Care Website
- Layla Care Facebook
- Layla Care Twitter
- Layla Care Instagram
Dr. Eleni Hapidou
How long have you been a member of the OPA?
Over 30 years.
What prompted you to join the OPA?
To be part of my community of colleagues, to foster professional identity and advocate for our profession.
What attracted you to the field of Psychology?
People's behavior and reading Freud’s books in high school.
What is your current area of focus or practice?
Chronic Pain. I’ve focused my career on working with individuals who, after injuries or accidents, suffer from chronic pain and experience difficulties coping. Such difficulties, in addition to physical discomfort and pain, may include anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, marital and occupational issues, which may prevent individuals (and their families) from participating in their full daily functioning.
What is an area/topic of Psychology that you feel more people should know about?
The relationship between thoughts, feelings and behavior. How to best be aware of and mindful Stress management.
What's a project or initiative you’re currently involved in that you’d like others to know about? (This is your ten second elevator pitch!)
Comparing outcomes of an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Program in male and female Veterans and civilians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alongside my honor’s thesis student, Avery Hart, from the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior (PNB) at McMaster University, I am currently in the process of preparing to present our abstract to the Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Banff, Alberta, May 10-12, 2023.
What can readers of this spotlight reach out to you for? What’s the best way for them to do so?
To learn more about the results of this study, e-mail [email protected]
To follow along with Dr. Hapidou, please check out:
· Presentation Abstract: Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting
Dr. Kimberly Sogge
How long have you been a member of the OPA?
10-12 years
What prompted you to join the OPA?
Collegiality and advocacy for the profession of psychology
What attracted you to the field of Psychology?
I believe all change starts in the mind, so the intersection of the science of the mind and the practice of psychotherapy was a fascinating launching point for exploring ways to create positive change in the world.
What is your current area of focus or practice?
I am a clinical health psychologist whose doctoral dissertation and clinical work have focused on the minds of the healers. My dissertation was on the influence of physician affect on physician patient working alliance and clinical decision making, and I worked in the office of the Dean at the Texas A&M College of Medicine following completion of my doctoral residency at University of Texas at Austin. I have had an insider’s view of the structure of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, for better and for worse. I now work extensively with physicians and other high performers, on how their minds influence their capacity to care for their patients and to bring their full humanity to the practice of their profession and their lives.
What is an area/topic of Psychology that you feel more people should know about?
I think that our profession should really be applying its phenomenal abilities in research, science based practice, and human health to deconstructing the mindsets and behaviours that have brought our planet to its sixth extinction. Climate chaos begins in our misconceptions of ourselves and our place in the world.
What's a project or initiative you’re currently involved in that you’d like others to know about? (This is your ten second elevator pitch!)
I would love to see psychologists in Ontario expanding our conversations about these things:
First, I would love to see our professional circles focused on building capacities and resilience in our communities for facing and responding to climate change and ecological destruction. As psychologists we know that our minds evolved to work in concert with the natural world, and destruction of the living world is destruction of our own health and wellbeing.
Second, I would love to see psychologists contributing to the conversations about redesign of the training systems and supports for all health care professionals, including the training of psychologists, to include a greater emphasis on the wellbeing competencies and intrapersonal skills of the professionals and not just performant I’ve or conceptual knowledge. I would love to see knowledge, skills and abilities emphasized in our training programs that focus on community wellness and not just individual illness.
Finally, I would also like to see OPA leading the conversation on non-physician scientist practitioners assisting in the creation of provincial health regulations and best practice standards for the coming wave of psychedelic facilitated psychotherapies. If we are silent, purely corporate interests may fill the gap and the value of psychological integration of these powerful experiences will be missed or lost, to the detriment of our patients
As a profession we still have much to learn about our role in creating a more beautiful world.
What can readers of this spotlight reach out to you for? What’s the best way for them to do so?
Reach out to me for conversations about healing healers, working with physicians, or discussions of any of the following: Buddhist psychology & third wave psychotherapies, emerging research and regulatory guidelines for psychedelic facilitated psychotherapies, brainstorming sessions on ways psychologists can be working to integrate nature connection and ecological awareness into their work, and ways psychologists can contribute to healthy communities.
My clinic is in downtown Ottawa and I love to go for coffee in the neighbourhood to learn about others’ work and discuss ways we can support one another.
To follow along with Dr. Sogge, please check out:
· Ottawa River Psychology Group
Dr. Marina Heifetz
How long have you been a member of the OPA?
7-8 years
What prompted you to join the OPA?
Community/ networking/ keeping up to date with the field in Ontario
What attracted you to the field of Psychology?
Growing up in an immigrant family, I witnessed the stressors involved in adjusting to different environments, the power of social supports, and how resilience can be fostered despite the stressors. As I grew older, I became passionate about philosophy and understanding the world. Then, in my first year of University, I took the introduction to psychology course, which opened my eyes to the amazing research on behaviour and understanding why we do what we do. Throughout my undergraduate years, my passion for psychological research grew through volunteering in labs, which led me to graduate school to become a psychologist!
What is your current area of focus or practice?
I am a clinical psychologist working with children and adolescents to support them through assessment and treatment of mental health.
What is an area/topic of Psychology that you feel more people should know about?
Sport psychology! I have been doing volunteering for various agencies over the years to support athletes in mental health, but it is not something we often hear about, and it isn't something that is typically offered in psychology training programs.
What's a project or initiative you’re currently involved in that you’d like others to know about? (This is your ten second elevator pitch!):
So hard to choose one! I recently started my own child/adolescent clinic, and I am so excited to offer services to families while also providing mentoring opportunities to aspiring clinicians. I have also been a Clinical Director for Special Olympics' mental health initiative, Strong Minds! This is a passion project for me, and I love the knowledge mobilization opportunities Olympic events have offered.
What can readers of this spotlight reach out to you for? What’s the best way for them to do so?
Families can reach out for parent consultations/ child/ youth supports. Clinicians are welcome to connect with me for supervision/ mentoring opportunities. My website is a good way to connect directly: mkpsychologycentre.com
To follow along with Dr. Heifetz, please check out:
Dr. Jennifer Felsher
How long have you been a member of the OPA?
10 years
What prompted you to join the OPA?
Resources and consultation
What attracted you to the field of Psychology?:
I have always loved people. Connections and connectedness is the key to mental health. I believe that with the appropriate social support we can overcome many things. As a psychologist, I strive to create those connections to help people work through difficult times in their lives.
What is your current area of focus or practice?:
I work primarily with vulnerable and high risk youth. A good majority of them are involved with the child welfare system, residential treatment or in conflict with the law. My particular area of practice is in the field of trauma, in particular those who experience sexual trauma and those that engaged in sexually abusive behavior. I’ve also been the coordinator of Telepsychology for over 10 years and consider myself an expert in telehealth.
What is an area/topic of Psychology that you feel more people should know about?:
I find many people are uncomfortable dealing with abuse, in particular sexual abuse and those who have engaged and sexually abusive behavior. People need to understand that youth that engage in sexually abusive behavior, often experienced their own chaotic childhoods.
What's a project or initiative you’re currently involved in that you’d like others to know about? (This is your ten second elevator pitch!):
I consult to several different organizations regarding childhood abuse and sexual trauma. I’m currently involved in a psychoeducation project to help caregivers understand youth who have been trafficked.
What can readers of this spotlight reach out to you for? What’s the best way for them to do so?:
My expertise is in telehealth and childhood trauma. Specifically, victims of sexual abuse and youth who engaged in sexually abusive behavior. The best way to contact me would be via the OPA listserv.
Dr. Melissa Tiessen & Dr. Karen Dyck
Dr. Melissa Tiessen & Dr. Karen Dyck are committed to helping female mental health professionals stay happy and healthy through the '4 C's' of intentional and playful self-care: Connection, Compassion, Courage and Creativity.
Dr. Melissa Tiessen completed her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at McGill University. Dr. Tiessen's professional background includes a unique opportunity as the Director of the Education Directorate of the Canadian Psychological Association, where she served for four years, overseeing the association's national accreditation and continuing education programs. For her, working within the accreditation field highlighted the incredible importance of quality training experiences for psychology students and the necessity of good work-life balance and self-care.
Dr. Karen Dyck completed her Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology at the University of Manitoba and her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Dyck has worked collaboratively with various healthcare providers, administrators and mental health professionals. Within this context, she became interested in the topics of healthy workplaces, employee wellness, and self-care.
Learn more about their work at: https://www.intentionaltherapist.ca/
Dr. Milena Spasojevic
Dr. Milena Spasojevic is the Senior Clinical Lead of the Before Operational Stress (BOS) Program facilitated through the Wayfound Mental Health Group. Dr. Spasojevic has been involved with BOS since co-facilitating the pilot group in August of 2018, and has since furthered her involvement by training clinicians across Canada in its delivery.
The Before Operational Stress Program empowers public safety and provides training to ward off the impacts of operational stress. This year, BOS Online was introduced — an online, self-directed approach to the science-backed program.
In Dr. Spasojevic’s own words, the development and dissemination of this cutting-edge and empirically-supported program has become her passion.
Learn more about Dr. Spasojevic & BOS:
Dr. Anne McLachlan
Dr. Anne McLachlan, is a neuropsychologist whose passion is working with other healthcare providers in rehabilitation to identify and treat the cognitive and emotional barriers to a patient’s recovery.
Connect with Dr. McLachlan on Twitter: @MclachlanAnne
Jill Schroeder
Jill Schroeder is a clinical psychologist who provides psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults in a private setting. Her passion is fueled by helping people achieve their full potential in their life pursuits.
Jill’s work encompasses both her private practice work as well as a growing focus on supporting individuals through their EPPP preparation. During Jill’s EPPP preparation, she reached a point in her studies where she noticed her skillset as a clinician began to grow. This motivated her to support others in learning the foundational concepts required by psychologists to transition into the profession. As a result, Jill created and wrote an integrated study method that evolved into a Masterclass that helps individuals deepen their understanding of the cornerstones of psychology.
Jill has helped over 25 EPPP candidates successfully transition into autonomous practice by showing them how to study smarter and feel more confident while embarking on this licensing requirement. Jill is enthusiastic about helping early-year colleagues, and their supervisors navigate their success toward autonomous practice.
For further information, she can be reached at [email protected] or (519) 981-0913.
Dr. Maggie Clarke
Dr. Clarke is heavily involved in COPE Kids, a newly developed non-profit developed by psychologists and registered in January of this year. Dr. Clarke describes COPE Kids as currently very similar to the DRN model with the exception that its' focus is on children rather than frontline workers, and that psychology members can supervise or provide consultations to students or other clinicians to ensure that the quality of care remains high.
While the COPE Kids website is currently under construction (set to be live at the end of the month!) Dr. Clarke has kindly shared the COPE Kids recruitment brochure for readers to learn more — view the brochure here.
Dr. Jenn Bossio
Dr. Bossio is the Director of the Tri Health Clinic — an Ontario-based practice focusing on sexual health.
As a psychologist with more than 10 years of clinical experience in sex therapy, Dr. Bossio and her team at the Tri Health Clinic are focused on helping individuals and couples live their best lives utilizing the practice of Sex Therapy.
Learn more about Dr. Bossio, her team, and their work at The Tri Health Clinic
Dr. Ameeta Dudani
Dr. Dudani is a Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologist at the North Peel Family Health Team (NPFHT), a multidisciplinary family medicine practice in Brampton, ON.
In addition to providing clinical service, Dr. Dudani has been developing several initiatives as part of the child and adolescent psychology program, including practicum training for clinical psychology doctoral students, health promotion activities, and interprofessional collaboration.
Dr. Dudani is a passionate advocate for children’s mental health and public funding of psychology.
Dr. Joseph De Leo
Dr. De Leo is a dual licensed Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychologist with the College of Psychologist of Ontario, working as Director of the Centre for Compassionate Care (C3) a community-based mental health clinic located in Hamilton, Ontario. C3 offers client-centered, person-focused, trauma- and culturally informed effective psychotherapies.
Learn more about the work led by Dr. De Leo and team at the Centre for Compassionate Care (C3).
Dr. Heather Prime
Dr. Prime and her team are supporting interparental couples with young children amid the pandemic with a brief, online couples’ program. Their current CIHR-funded study will evaluate the program, with the goal of reducing relationship strain and supporting whole family functioning.
Learn more about Dr. Prime and her work at Prime Family Lab.