Thank you for visiting the Manitoba Psychological Society (MPS) website. MPS is a non-profit professional association committed to advancing the study and use of psychology in Manitoba. MPS believes that psychology belongs to everyone – it is both a science and a practice that shapes how we respond to large-scale challenges, like social justice and climate anxiety, as well as everyday concerns, like parenting and building healthy habits. Since joining the MPS board in 2014, I have had the privilege of working alongside many dedicated board volunteers committed to advancing psychology in our province. None of this work happens alone, and I am grateful to all of those who helps champion our profession and promote its value and impact across the province.
Psychology students represent the future of our profession. Our board greatly values the contribution of MPS’ student directors, as well as the work of our colleagues at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg. The departments provide critical undergraduate and graduate training in both academia and clinical practice. I am particularly encouraged by the transformational work being done by the Pathways working group, which is focused on increasing the number of Indigenous graduate students and creating more equitable representation in our profession. Dr. Lindsay Woods, Past President of MPS and our representative on this working group, provides a powerful voice in this area. MPS is also committed to advocating with Minister of Advanced Education and Training and other partners to explore ways to expand pathways for doctoral training in Manitoba.
Increasing the public’s access to high-quality psychological services is equally critical. Psychologists and psychology residents play a critical role in our health system, working closely alongside physician colleagues, nurses, and allied health professionals to provide specialist care and contribute to innovative research. School psychologists, together with the Manitoba Association of School Psychologists, use evidence-based practices to help children and youth reach their full potential in the school system. It is important that psychology’s value is recognized and acknowledged. This is why it was especially meaningful to see the contributions of our profession recognised by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness through the proclamation of February as Psychology Month.
MPS also respects the work done by the Psychological Association of Manitoba, our provincial regulatory body, in protecting the public interest. Through MPS, I have greatly valued opportunities to connect with colleagues beyond our province, including the Council of Professional Associations of Psychologists, the Canadian Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Association. These connections strengthen our profession and help us learn from the work being done across Canada and the United States of America.
Despite these many champions, critical investment is needed to strengthen our profession and improve access to high-quality psychological services. Psychologists content with long waitlists for clinical services and high vacancy rates in the public system. MPS remains committed to working with our partners to address these gaps, expand training capacity, and improve access for Manitobans. In particular, we need to address the recruitment and retention of psychologists within the public system. I encourage MPS members to consider how they can contribute to this work – whether by joining the board, attending MPS events, or sharing relevant information with the public.
Thank you again for your interest in MPS. Whether you are a psychologist, psychology trainee, professional colleague, or member of the public, we hope you find this website useful and informative. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions, would like to learn more, or want to become more involved.
Colleen Murphy, Ph.D., C. Psych.
MPS President
