Canadian Psychological Association

Its objectives are:

• To improve the health and welfare of all Canadians;
• To promote excellence and innovation in psychological research, education, and practice;
• To promote the advancement, development, dissemination, and application of psychological knowledge; and
• To provide high-quality services to members.

Message from CPA's President,
2011-2012: Dr. David Dozois

It is my pleasure, as CPA’s President for 2011-2012, to invite you to participate in all that our website, and indeed the association has to offer our members, our colleagues in practice and research, and members of the public with an interest in psychological health and well-being. Welcome all!

Message from CPA's Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Karen Cohen

As CPA's CEO, I am responsible for CPA's activities and operations and for representing CPA at the many tables and coalitions on which we sit. Please use the website to familiarize yourself with CPA’s many activities and follow Psynopsis, CPA’s quarterly newsletter, available online to any member of the public.

How CPA Works and Who to Contact for What at Head Office

The Canadian Psychological Association is the national association for the science, practice and education of psychology in Canada. With over 6600 members (including more than 1800 student members), CPA is Canada's largest professional association for psychology.

The vision and policy for CPA is established by its Board of Directors. Presidential Officers and Board members are elected from among the CPA membership with two seats held by representatives from CPA partner organizations and one held by a representative from CPA’s Student Section.

Responsibility for the operations of CPA rests with its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and through the CEO, with CPA’s Head Office staff. A listing of CPA staff, their titles and coordinates can be found on our Contact Us page.

• Get in touch with Dr. Cohen for any queries, concerns or suggestions about psychology in Canada. As a general rule of thumb, contact her about anything having to do with CPA’s operations, its representation on national alliances and coalitions (e.g. Health Action Lobby, Canadian Alliance of Mental Illness and Mental Health, Canadian Consortium of Research) in addition to anything related to health and healthcare and the professional practice of psychology across Canada.
• Contact Dr. Lisa Votta-Bleeker on matters pertaining to psychological research and its funding in Canada. Note that Dr. Votta-Bleeker is on maternity leave from April 2011 until April 2012 during which time you can direct your research related queries to Dr. Cohen as well.
• Correspondence related to the provincial or territorial practice of psychology can be directed to Dr. John Service.
• Any questions related to the accreditation of programmes that train psychologists for practice can be directed to Dr. Melissa Tiessen or Ms. Ann Marie Plante.
• Any queries about CPA’s annual convention should be directed to Ms. Kathy Lachapelle-Petrin or Ms. Kimberley Black.
• Media, public relations and membership questions go to Mr. Tyler Stacy-Holmes.
• Inquiries about the status of your membership can also be directed to Ms. Sylvia Spallin.

Members of the public commonly contact CPA with questions about psychological disorders (see Psychology Works Fact Sheets), the study, practice and licensing of psychologists, how to get a referral to a psychologist, and what to expect when seeing a psychologist. Answers to these questions are often answered by information found on the public pages of our website. If your question is not answered there, please contact Ms. Josée Lemieux for further assistance.