Starting in Fall 2024, Bishop's University will offer a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical Psychology Profile. This exciting new offering is born out of a collaboration between the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) and Bishop's. In fact, the program is a UQAC program offered by extension at Bishop's. It focuses on professional clinical psychology and will equip students to conduct psychological assessments and perform psychological interventions. Importantly, it is accredited by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ), thus making program graduates eligible for OPQ membership and employment opportunities as a clinical psychologist.
Uniquely, this program is designed for bilingual students (French and English), including prospective applicants from systemically underrepresented backgrounds. The program will be taught in English, however, as part of their practicum and internship requirements, students will offer consultations for francophone and anglophone clienteles. This will benefit the local community by increasing the offering of bilingual mental health services, filling a well-documented gap in services (rapport d'Hélène David).
"Historically, mental health services have been lacking for the English-speaking population of Estrie. Furthermore, as reported several times in the media in recent years, current mental health services for the general Quebec population are not enough to meet demand. The situation has only worsened since the pandemic, with the impacts we know have on people's mental health and rates of psychological distress which have increased, state Dr. Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise, Clinical Psychology Program Director at Bishop's University. "The opening of this program will therefore make it possible to meet this need for the Sherbrooke and Estrie community. In addition, our commitment to accepting a large cohort of 16 students will make it possible to respond to the first recommendation of Hélène David's recent report, which encourages universities to increase admissions to doctoral programs in clinical psychology."
The availability of mental health services has been identified as a priority sector by the Quebec government indicating a growing demand. This program aims to welcome a first cohort of 16 students in Fall 2024. Over the course of four years, these students will train to become clinical psychologists able to assess and help various clienteles, drawing on the discipline's scientific knowledge and on a deep understanding of the needs and characteristics of individuals and communities.
Interested candidates can find more information and complete an application via the program's website
The application deadline for a Fall 2024 start is February 1, 2024.
ON THE PHOTO:
- Dr. Andrew Webster, Vice-principal Academic and Research, Bishop's University
- Dr. Daniel Lalande, Clinical Psychology Program Director at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC)
- Dr. Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise, Clinical Psychology Program Director at Bishop's University
- Dr. Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, Principal and vice-chancellor at Bishop's University
