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Dr. Lindsay Woods, Ph.D., C.Psych., MPS Past-President, was recognized as a 2026 Honouring the Indigenous Campus Community Legacy Honouree at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Woods was one of 20 individuals recognized across the student, staff, faculty, and legacy categories for their contributions and impact within the Indigenous campus community. She was nominated by the Pathways Working Group in recognition of her contributions to the Pathways initiative and her work supporting Indigenous students and pathways within psychology. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Woods on this well-deserved recognition!
On Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, the Manitoba Psychological Society is welcoming you to attend an in-person, day-long session with Dr. Lesley Lutes, 6 CE Credit hours. Register your spot soon!
Attendees will be introduced to principles and application of the Small Changes Approach to behavior change treatment: an evidence-based approach to sustainable mental and physical health for people living with obesity and other chronic health and mental health conditions. The day spent with psychologists, other medical providers, trainees and affiliates, will offer ample opportunity for networking. Fort Whyte Alive will welcome attendees to its spacious and inspiring space at Buffalo Crossing, with King Cole providing catering.
More information under Upcoming Events. Register: here
It has come to our attention that several members have recently received fraudulent phishing emails claiming to be sent by the President of the Manitoba Psychological Society.
Please be aware that cybercriminals frequently attempt to impersonate organizational leadership to request urgent assistance, gift cards, wire transfers, or sensitive personal data.
- Mismatched Sender Address: The display name might say the President’s name, but the underlying email address ends in a domain like @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or an unfamiliar URL rather than our official @mps.ca domain.
- Urgent Requests: Messages demanding immediate action, secrecy, or unusual transactions.
- Requests for Gift Cards or Money: MPS leadership will never email you directly asking to purchase gift cards, transfer funds, or share confidential personal credentials.
- Do Not Reply or Click: If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links, open attachments, or respond.
- Verify the Source: If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact the MPS office or the President directly via a known, verified phone number or official email address. Never use the contact info listed in the suspicious email.
- Report It: Forward any suspicious emails to [email protected] so we can track and address these security threats.
Thank you for remaining vigilant as we work to keep our community safe.
Medimap Find Doctors & Healthcare Providers Near Me | Medimap (Medimap.ca) is a website that lists psychology clinics and practitioners, including inaccurate information about services offered and a “Book Appointment” option where the public is led to believe they are booking an appointment through the clinic. An MPS member successfully had the latter removed but could not correct the inaccurate information listed under services offered. MPS is informing members of this online directory and will be discussing it with stakeholders for further action and advocacy.
Did you know MPS members are eligible for a number of exclusive member benefits? To review your benefits, click here: https://mps.ca/membership-benefits/
The mentorship program provides students with an opportunity to informally connect with MPS mentors listed in the Mentorship Program Directory and ask questions related to their interests. The mentors included in this booklet represent various areas of psychology including public and private sectors, urban and rural practices, and different specialty areas. Access the student mentorship booklet here to learn more and to read about our current mentors!
Given that this guide is a member benefit, we ask that you do not share the mentor contact information with others.
Please contact Allie Conway ([email protected]) or Erin Sinclair ([email protected]) if you:
- Are a student interested in meeting with one of our mentors
- Are interested in becoming a mentor
- Have any questions about this program
This formal mentorship program is an excellent opportunity for both graduate and undergraduate students to actively participate in the mentorship process. Graduate students can cultivate their leadership, communication and supervision skills by sharing their experience, information, and advice with their mentee. Undergraduate students have the chance to discuss career paths in the field of psychology, learn how to get involved in research, or ask questions related to applying to graduate school and fellowships. The Student Mentorship Program aims to forge meaningful connections where knowledge is exchanged and professional development flourishes. All program materials (application forms, manuals, logs) are available in English and French. The deadline for students to submit your application materials is September 14, 2026. The application form to be submitted can be found here.
The CPA has released a new Fact Sheet on Tourette Syndrome and Other Tic Disorders prepared by Alzena Ilie, Clinical Psychology PhD Student, Dalhousie University. This Fact Sheet explains what tics and tic disorders are, how they can affect people, and the psychological interventions used to treat tics.
On Wednesday, October 7, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM PT, the BC Psychological Association is offering a workshop with Dr. Peter Forkner about Responsible Integration of AI in Psychological Practice. A special reduced price is offered to CPA members.
Discover how AI is transforming clinical care, explore key ethical considerations, and gain practical strategies for discussing AI with clients and making informed decisions about its role in practice. Presenter, Dr. Peter Forkner, is a psychologist and consultant, specializing in the ethical integration of artificial intelligence into mental health care.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada wants to hear from healthcare providers working in diverse settings from coast to coast to coast. They are requesting input on how the Commission can best support integrated mental health and primary care nationwide.COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE
APA’s President-Elect elections are coming up. The President-Elect plays an important role in shaping the direction and priorities of APA. This election is an opportunity for psychologists across states, provinces and territories to make their voices heard and to consider the leadership, priorities, and vision that will guide APA in the years ahead.
For MPS members who are a member of APA, please keep an eye out for the email from APA with the ballot and election information. Review the candidates’ statements and participate!
The MPS Board is glad to announce that for the 2026 year, APA has again awarded MPS an operating grant to support the activities of the Society. This specific award, funded from the Small State (Province, and Territory) Operating Grant Program, will support staffing expense; and allow for an upgrade of the MPS website.
Thank you to all the MPS members who wrote letters to their Members of the Legislative Assembly asking the government to consult with MPS leadership regarding our profession being included in the Regulated Health Professionals Act. There is still time to send letters before the legislature reconvenes on September 29th, 2026. The more people that speak up, the more the government will take our requests seriously. Regardless of the government’s response, MPS will continue to advocate on this important issue.
Dr. Jo Ann Unger, Advocacy Director, recently made a connection with the Minister of Advanced Education and Training. A meeting is being organized to discuss how we can train more Psychologists in Manitoba.
On behalf of the Advocacy Committee leads, Dr. Colleen Murphy submitted a Letter to the Editor in response to the government’s omission of psychologists in their press release on net new health workers to the public health system. It was published on August 24, 2026 and further media engagement is planned.
On Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, the Manitoba Psychological Society is welcoming you to attend an in-person, day-long session with Dr. Lesley Lutes, 6 CE Credit hours. Register your spot soon!
*Please note that this will be an in person only event and no recording will be available afterward.
This Fall, the Manitoba Psychological Society is welcoming you to join us for an in- person, day-long session with Dr. Lesley Lutes. Attendees will be introduced to principles and application of the Small Changes Approach to behavior change treatment: an evidence-based approach to sustainable mental and physical health for people living with obesity and other chronic health and mental health conditions.
The day spent with psychologists, other medical providers, trainees and affiliates, will offer opportunities for networking. Fort Whyte Alive will welcome attendees to its spacious and inspiring space at Buffalo Crossing, with King Cole providing catering. Thank you for informing us of dietary preferences and accessibility needs.
Dr. Lesley Lutes is a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Director of the Centre for Obesity and Well-being Research Excellence. Her research focuses on developing evidence-based interventions that improve mental and behavioral health while reducing the impact of chronic physical health conditions. She has secured more than $8 million in research funding, published over 80 peer-reviewed papers, and delivered more than 100 national and international presentations. In 2024, she was named UBC Researcher of the Year in Health. Dr. Lutes also leads initiatives to improve access to integrated mental health care and has been a strong advocate for expanding publicly funded psychological services in Canada.
This session explores the evidence supporting the Small Changes Approach to behaviour change treatment as a sustainable alternative to traditional weight management strategies for people living with obesity and other chronic health and mental health conditions. Participants will review the current health landscape in Canada, the evolution of evidence-based treatment for people living with obesity over the past 40 years, including the recent advancements in biologics. We will introduce the theoretical foundations of the Small Changes treatment approach as an alternative to traditional treatment approaches. Evidence from RCTs across diverse populations will be presented, along with a detailed review of each treatment session. Clinicians will then engage in applied group exercises learning how to successfully implement and tailor this treatment approach to improve long-term mental and physical health outcomes in patients.
Katherine Staryzk, PhD
Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba
Thursday September 17, 2026| 3:00-4:30PM via Zoom meetings. Please email [email protected] to register. This session will be recorded
for those unable to attend.
Dr. Starzyk is a Professor of Social and Personality Psychology at the University of Manitoba, where she directs the Social Justice Laboratory. She is also a Founding Member of the Centre for Human Rights Research. In her research, teaching, and service, Prof. Starzyk focuses on understanding how to shift attitudes toward past and present human rights issues as well as how various frames of such issues or histories affect intergroup relations, focusing primarily (but not exclusively) on the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. She is Principal Investigator of the Canadian Reconciliation Barometer, a SSHRC-funded project that tracks progress toward reconciliation.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how reconciliation can be rigorously measured and summarize what current evidence shows about where Canada is and is not making progress.
- Explain some techniques for shifting attitudes and support for action on social justice issues.
- Identify implications for their own clinical and institutional practice
Lesley Lutes, Ph.D., R.Psych
Professor, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia
Thursday October 15, 2026| 3:00-4:30PM
In Person Event, Theatre B, Basic Medical Sciences Building, Bannatyne Campus
Zoom available for those unable to join in person. Please email [email protected] to request the link. This session will be
recorded for those unable to attend.
Dr. Lesley Lutes is the Director of the Center for Obesity and Well-being Research Excellence at the University of British Columbia on the Okanagan Campus. She works on developing evidence-based treatment interventions focused on improving mental and behavioral health in order to reduce the impact of chronic physical health conditions and co-morbid mental health conditions. She has received over $8 million in grant funding, published over 80 peer reviewed papers in top leading journals, and completed over 100 national and international presentations, including keynote addresses and has won national awards for her work. In 2024, she won researcher of the year at UBC in the area of health (I think awards are nice to keep?). She is passionate about treatment access, providing barrier-free mental health support at UBCO. Provincially, she was the first director of advocacy for the BC Psychological Association. She is now focused on expanding her research and federal partnerships in order to enact federal mental health parity legislation and have psychologists become covered providers.
Learning Objectives:
- Review the current state of mental and behavioral health of Canadians.
- Compare Canada to other countries regarding timely access to effective mental and behavioral health and outcomes to date.
- Review studies and initiatives in Canada on the impact of integrating psychologists into primary care on patient outcomes, provider experiences, and larger healthcare system impacts.
Join psychologists throughout North America on September 18, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM CST, for the clinical webinar The Science and Practice of Effective Clinical Suicidology, sponsored by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists and organized in collaboration with the Council of Executives of State and Provincial Psychological Associations (CESPPA). MPS member and NRHSP member rate for this event is 95.00USD. The recording of the session will be made available to registrants.
In this 3 CE credit hours workshop, Dr. David Jobes will highlight key evidence-based approached for effective assessment, management, and treatment of suicidal risk with an appreciation of ethical issues and risk management. The presentation will explore some of the relevant history that shapes contemporary clinical suicidology as well as key models that shape our understanding of suicidality. The primary focus will be on clinical approaches to screening and assessment, interventions for acute stabilization, and treatments of what makes a patient suicidal based on randomized controlled trials. Finally, various ethical considerations and how to decrease exposure to malpractice liability will be discussed.
David A. Jobes, PhD, ABPP, is a Professor of Psychology, Director of the Suicide Prevention Laboratory, and Associate Director of Clinical Training at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He has authored seven books and hundreds of published articles and book chapters. He is the creator of the “Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality” (CAMS) which is an evidence-based, suicide-focused, treatment approach for suicide risk. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and is a board certified clinical psychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology). Dr. Jobes maintains a private clinical and consulting practice in Washington DC and Maryland.
On Friday, October 16, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CST, a webinar will be held that offers practical guidance to complete the Mental Health Functions section for Disability Tax Credit applications. As a recording will be made available to registrants, we are highlighting this event to our members, despite the fact that it is on the same date as the In Person Fall Institute. This webinar is offered as a free event, in a collaboration between Canadian associations.The Disability Tax Credit opens the door to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and the Canada Disability Benefit, but an application often turns on how well the mental functions section describes real functional impairment, and that part usually lands on us. The session walks through the criteria most relevant to psychologists, how to describe functional restrictions in specific, behaviourally anchored language, and when to provide supplementary information or refer a client on. It is also clear about the limits, because not every client with a diagnosis will qualify.
Moderated by Dr. Chris Pawluk, Psychological Association of Alberta, this session is provided in partnership with Plan Institute and Disability Alliance BC. Solana Vannus at Plan Institute gives the overview, and Cynthia Minh, Director of National Programs at Disability Alliance BC, works through the form.Outline and
registration: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hexagontraining.ca/course/dtc-primer&source=gmail&ust=1787091711303000&sa=E
The American Psychological Association offers several free self-care resources for practicing psychologists. Click here to learn more.
The Dept of Psychology, University of Guelph is conducting research examining psychological clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and experiences related to FASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Ariella Golden, supervised by Dr. Kaitlyn McLachlan, is interested in hearing from psychologists, psychological associates, postdoctoral fellows, and internship/residency students who provide or have provided psychological services to children and/or youth with some relevance to education (e.g., assessment, intervention, consultation – both within and outside of schools). This includes clinicians with and without experience related to FASD. After completing this study, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a free virtual workshop about FASD, geared towards psychological clinicians working in education contexts.
This project has been reviewed by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Guelph for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants, REB# 21-05-001. If you have any questions about the research now or later, please contact Dr. Kaitlyn McLachlan, by telephone at (519) 824-4120, extension 56447, or by email at [email protected].
This anonymous, online survey should take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete. To participate, please click the study title above or the following link: https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8bLbV2xX3zbUNNA
Researchers at the University of Calgary are seeking students to participate in a brief online survey and online case consultation session.
Why participate? Contribute to research about how mental health professionals make decisions within interdisciplinary teams.
Who’s eligible? Students in Social Work or graduate students in Psychology (counselling, clinical, or school).
What’s involved? Complete a short (5 min) online survey about you and your teamwork experience. Then, you’ll be asked to take part in a 30-minute online case consultation session with students from two other professional programs—similar to the teams you will work with in their future career. You will also have the option to complete two short follow-up surveys and participate in an interview to share your experience of the study.
Receive a $25 e-gift card for participating in the case consultation session!
The University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board has approved this study (REB17-0414). We have additionally received acknowledgment/approval from your institution’s Ethics Board. If you have questions, email our research assistant: Ariba Bajwa ([email protected]) or Dr. Tanya Beran, ([email protected])
To complete the survey, visit https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_5mwGNeReb2KkK0e