I am proud to have recently taken the position of President of this very important organization and to have the pleasure to work with the special board members and consultants from CRHSP and the National Register. CRHSP provides me and others throughout Canada with an opportunity to work closely, sharing experiences and information about the clinical practice and business of psychology and counselling, maintaining and protecting the quality of our profession.  

My career as a psychologist has been guided by a special interest in the connections between psychology and education, as well as other professions such as medical and legal. My interests lie in both the health service arena and how our schools can best address the needs of children and youth with a variety of concerns. To that end, highlights of my practice have included teaching post-secondary and graduate level courses in subjects such as child development, educational counselling, and psychopathology and assessment, and authoring a chapter titled ADHD & ASD: How Understanding Neurological Underpinnings can Help Mediate Classroom Challenges in a textbook devoted to promoting mental health in educational contexts. My private practice has been devoted to helping individuals and their families receive a diagnosis that explains their challenges and then understand that a diagnostic label is just a label to identify and is only the first step toward developing an environment in which the individuals can live their best lives. The goals include accepting what they cannot change and changing what they can. I most enjoy how in our field there is a place for clinical practice as well as research and teaching, with each area complimenting the other. Practicing client care guides teaching, and teaching and researching guide effective clinical practice. My therapeutic approach is eclectic and includes narrative therapy, CBT, DBT, ACT, and psychoeducation, as well as parent coaching.  

I consider the CRHSP a key player in ensuring the highest professional standards in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, through its ongoing and ever-increasing education opportunities. Recently our listserv initiative has shown to be an excellent communication tool and resource. I particularly value our close partnership with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, and their initiatives such as excellent webinars and paper and online journals. 

Looking forward to serving as the CRHSP President, I would like to augment the CRHSP’s focus on providing continuing education opportunities. It might be worth investigating the possibility of a mentorship program, linking experienced psychologists to new entrants in the field and organized peer supervision groups centered around common themes. It is never too soon or too late to ask for help, guidance, and collaboration. I would also like to see initiatives advocating for new opportunities for psychologists and the importance of our work.  

Having greatly enjoyed my time thus far on the CRHSP Board, I encourage other Registrants to consider participating more fully in CRHSP. I would welcome any outreach from our wonderful family of CRHSP Registrants from across the country and look forward to serving the needs of Registrants in this role. 

Sincerely,

Harriet