Practice Based Policies
The Directorate has struck a policy committee to examine new policy opportunities to advance the profession. Examples include policies in the areas of access to services, service guidelines that should include psychologists and so on.
Common Advocacy Platform
The Directorate has contracted with a communications firm to develop to assist in the development of a common advocacy language and strategy platform. This will enable the associations to be “talking the same talk” when working with governments. The result will be a common message regarding psychological services across Canada giving the governments the knowledge that psychology is “on the same page”.
Linking with CPA Initiatives
The Directorate is working with the CPA Sections and the Hospital Psychology Task Force.
Linking with Provincial/Territorial Issues
One of the Directorate’s goals is to enhance collaboration between and among associations. Currently issues are being addressed in Nova Scotia (health information), Alberta (support for a Doctor of Psychology program application), Manitoba (advancing psychology in primary care, hospitals etc), Ottawa (mental and behavioural health services in the federal civil service).
Primary Care
The Council of the Practice Directorate has decided to focus on increasing access to psychological services and psychological therapies through primary care. In addition an inventory of existing primary care models is being developed as well as a network of psychologists working in primary care.
List of Policies and Actions Endorsed by the Council
- Support for the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) education and training model.
- Support the development of internship and practicum placements for psychology students, interns and residents in Canada.
- Canadians regardless of income have a right to access psychological services.