Where’s the science? Introduction to a special issue of Canadian Psychology on science in psychology.

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As the acknowledgment for effective and accessible mental health care services is coming to the forefront of current health care needs in Canada, the timing is apt to document the current practices of psychologists and psychotherapists. This serves to aid in informing their continued and potentially enhanced role in mental health service delivery in Canada. The following paper amalgamates data from a series of survey studies targeting psychologists and psychotherapists licensed to practice in Quebec. These studies, taken together, highlight important themes and challenges in the field of psychology and in the practice of psychotherapy. The first survey documented the practice characteristics of psychologists and psychotherapists currently in private psychotherapy practice (N ϭ 671). This study provides a snapshot of the current populations being served, the cost and length of treatment, the clinical tools being used in practice, and current referral routes and collaboration with other health professionals, among other variables. The second survey looked to the future of psychotherapy service delivery, and documented psychologist and psychotherapist attitudes toward a potential government-funded model of psychotherapy (N ϭ 1,275). Comparisons were made within each study looking at differences in attitudes and practice characteristics among respondents of different clinical groups (e.g., years of experience, theoretical orientation, level of education). Important themes and clinician characteristics were identified across the studies, such as the use of evidenced-based practices now and in a future government-funded psychotherapy model, autonomy in clinical decision making, collaborative practices, differences in compensation, and gaps in service delivery. Opportunities and challenges presented by these themes are discussed in the context of policy development, training initiatives, and in the role of professional psychology boards and associations.

Section: Evidence-based Practice (Ebp)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The practice of psychotherapy in Quebec: What have we learned from clinicians, and where should we take it from here.

Drapeau¹,

Bradley²

2019

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“…The logic of evidence-based practice is compelling (see Drapeau & Hunsley, 2014). Sound and consistent data, collected with procedures that are open to scrutiny, using consistent and validated measures, and published in venues that are peer reviewed, arguably offer the best potential method to identify, establish, and validate treatments.…”

Section: The Movement Toward Evidence-based Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical psychology in Canada: Challenges and opportunities.

Dobson

2016

This article reviews the definition of this area, and the history of clinical psychology in Canada. Based on this introduction, the developments in 3 critical areas for clinical psychology are discussed at length, including training, evidence-based practice, and practice issues. It is argued that training models have been consistent in Canada, and relatively homogenous, as these models serve to create national standards and high levels of service quality. The movement toward evidence-based practice in health care is reviewed, and the roles of clinical psychology in this movement. Notwithstanding the strong training models and the increasingly reliance on evidence-based care, it is argued that clinical psychology is not adequately funded to provide the range of services that it might, and some of the areas for growth are discussed. A final section of the article identifies a series of challenges and opportunities in contemporary Canadian society that affect clinical psychology. These issues include prescriptive authority, medically assisted death, aboriginal services, refugee services, access to services, technological advances in treatments, and the development of the psychological workforce. The article concludes with general suggestions for the development of clinical psychology in Canada.

“…Because there is a perception that psychologists are expensive (with key stakeholders often referencing the cost of fee-for-service psychologists rather than publicly funded psychologists), there have been calls for health care systems to have more duties performed by less qualified and less expensive staff, which further serves to blur lines between disciplines. Major legal changes in the mental health landscape may have further complicated the situation (see Drapeau & Hunsley, 2014). In Quebec, for example, the passing of Bill 21 formerly gave the right to nonpsychologists to offer psychotherapy services and to diagnose mental disorders.…”

Section: Changes In the Society We Live Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychology in Canada: Opportunities and challenges.

Drapeau¹,

Holmqvist²,

Piotrowski³

2016

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This special issue of Canadian Psychology is entirely dedicated to the opportunities and challenges that we face as a profession. The issue includes articles on social media policies and guidelines for psychologists, training in statistics and quantitative methods, ethics and the so-called war on terror, medical aid in dying, and interprofessional collaboration. It also presents data on the situation of graduates in psychology and addresses such important questions as the unique qualifications of psychologists, lobbying and advocacy, and evidence-based treatments. The theme behind all of these articles is without a doubt professional identity. In this introduction to this special issue, the authors argue that psychologists must use what power and influence they have to continue to advocate for those who may not have a voice, and they must improve their practices to better serve the needs of society but also find a way to care for themselves as a profession. Until this is done, psychology will continue to be faced with more challenges than opportunities.