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Clinical Training Opportunities in Psychology at Possibilities

Possibilities is an exciting and dynamic clinic offering assessments and treatments for ADHD and comorbid conditions such as Learning Disabilities, Tourette Syndrome, and Anxiety Disorders. Our assessments are conducted by Multidisciplinary Teams with experts from various disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, paediatrics, family medicine, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. Treatment services are also offered by experts from various disciplines, including psychology.

Currently we offer training opportunities for psychology residents and psychologists in supervised practice. Virtual and in-person opportunities are available. We offer assessments and treatments to individuals and families across the lifespan.

The Possibilities Clinic offers unique opportunities to develop strong clinical skills. Most mental health disorders have high comorbidities—so diagnoses rarely exist alone. At Possibilities, we give potential comorbidities the thorough investigation they require. That’s why our assessments involve a team of experts from different fields—like psychology and psychiatry—working together to determine diagnoses and develop comprehensive and integrated Treatment Plans. Clinical Team Meetings take place daily where experts from different fields collaborate to review data, make diagnostic formulations, and discuss scientifically supported treatments. Students in our Residency Program, and post-graduates in Supervised Practice, are welcome to join these meetings to discuss their clients and to learn more about clinical formulations and treatments.

The Possibilities Clinic leverages science and expertise to provide services to children, adolescents, and adults. Through our expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders, we provide evidence-based assessments and intervention for ADHD and LDs and their common comorbidities including ASD, Anxiety and Mood Disorders, OCD, and Tic Disorders.

Psychology at the Possibilities Clinic:

  • There are 11 Psychologists at the clinic registered at the Ph.D. level who are eligible to supervise residents. Of these, 9 are registered in Clinical Psychology.
  • Residents will participate in processes that provide clients with truly coordinated care. Compartmentalized approaches to assessment and treatment can decrease diagnostic accuracy and limit positive outcomes. Right from the start, Possibilities Clinic assessments combine clinicians from Psychology and Medicine because the clinical presentations we see are complex and require integrated approaches and expertise. 
  • The Director of Psychology Training, Dr. Debra Lean, is a Clinical and School Psychologist registered to work with children, adolescents, and adults. She has dedicated time for her duties as Director of Psychology Training. 


MISSION, PHILOSOPHY, GOALS

The Possibilities Clinic Predoctoral Residency Program provides excellent training in either Child and Adolescent or Adult Clinical Psychology, making our residents ready for a beginning level of independent practice at the conclusion of the program. Our mission is to train residents to provide culturally responsive psychological care to a diverse population with a wide breadth and depth of clinical presentations and experiences. This mission is accomplished through a combination of supervised applied direct service, consultation with other providers, didactic work, and supervision experience. The Residency Program follows a scientist-practitioner training model and a philosophy that is developmental in nature. Training experiences are offered  in a principled and organized way so skills and expertise grow systematically, moving residents forward to entry-level independence in clinical service.

Our goal is to develop resident competencies in the following areas:

  • Interpersonal Relationships
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Intervention and Consultation
  • Research
  • Ethics and Standards
  • Supervision


RESIDENCY PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Possibilities Clinic currently has 2 Clinical Psychology residency positions. There are two residency tracks: the Child and Adolescent Track and the Adult Track. Residents have a major rotation in assessment (ADHD and LD) and intervention (major therapies like CBT) and can choose from several minor rotations listed below. The major rotation is 3 days a week and there are 2 minor rotations of 1 day a week for 6 months each. The fifth weekday is reserved for didactics, program evaluation, and research or dissertation work. Residents are supervised by Ph.D. Clinical Psychologists registered in either Child and Adolescent, Adult, or both populations. There are many registered Clinical Psychologists at the Possibilities Clinic who receive dedicated time to provide supervision for the residency program. Supervision is provided for the required number of hours set by the Canadian Psychological Association Accreditation standards. The residency will provide at least the required 1600 hours over the course of the year between the beginning of September 2023 and the end of August 2024.

CLINICAL ROTATIONS

A. Major Rotation: The major rotation for both the Child and Adolescent and Adult Tracks includes assessment (focusing on ADHD and LD) and intervention therapies (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT, EFT)

B. Minor Rotations:

  • Assessment:
    • ASD assessment (Child and Adolescent Track)
    • Neuropsychology Assessment (Child and Adolescent Track)
  • Intervention:
    • OCD (Adult, Child and Adolescent Track)
    • CBIT Intervention for Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome (Child and Adolescent Track)
    • Direct Instruction in Reading (Child and Adolescent Track)
    • Group therapies (Adult, Child and Adolescent Track)

       

The residency program offers an organized and coherent sequence of activities so training experiences and expectations increase in complexity commensurate with residents’ developing knowledge and skills. This developmental structure cultivates and consolidates skills over time. Residents will be ready for an entry level/supervised practice Psychologist position after the completion of their residency and doctoral program.

Residents are provided supervised clinical training in the following areas:

  • Evidence-based psychological assessment
  • Evidence-based intervention
  • Consultation in interdisciplinary team functioning in clinic, and in other organizations such as schools and community agencies
  • Program development and evaluation for one of the Clinic’s existing programs (e.g., methodology for quality management and interprofessional service development and evaluation)
  • Interpersonal relationships (e.g., therapeutic relationships, therapeutic alliance and professional rapport, self-knowledge and the impact of therapist characteristics on professional relationships and effective communication)
  • Professional standards and ethics
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Supervision of practicum students

     

All clinical activities are clearly informed by science and inform science. Training is provided for assessment as well as intervention with individuals, groups, and families. Training for residents is provided in a sequence of increasingly independent practices, building in complexity as the residents’ skills and knowledge advance towards the level required for professional psychological practice. The residents’ Individual Training Plan is completed by the Director of Psychology Training at the beginning of the program and/or rotation. It includes training goals and objectives as well as caseload expectations.

Individual (3 hour per week) and group (1 hour per week) supervision is provided, along with seminars and other group training opportunities. Residents spend at least 10 hours a week in face-to-face direct service delivery. There are clearly defined standards for the completion of the residency program. Written feedback about progress is provided mid-way through the program and at the end of each rotation. Feedback is also provided to the resident’s university program. Residents are given an opportunity to contribute to program planning, development, and evaluation of one service area at Possibilities.

Residents have a place on the Residency Steering Committee, which plans and evaluates the Residency Program.

  • Residents will participate in and be able to observe daily Clinical Team Meetings where diagnoses and treatment plans are discussed among Psychology and Medicine, including Psychiatry and Family Medicine.
  • The Residency Program is subject to continuous review and evaluation by the Residency Steering Committee regarding standards for preparedness of applicants to the residency and expectations of residents for successful completion. This task is accomplished by regularly and reliably examining success in meeting the program’s goals and objectives through valid measures and review and revision.
  • There are minimum standards required for successful completion of the Residency Program that are presented to residents in written form in advance of the residency year. Information is clearly provided at the beginning of the residency regarding policies and procedures for residents who do not meet minimum evaluation standards as well as for appealing any program decisions. Those residents who do not meet standards will be advised and offered time and support to achieve standard performance with a written remediation plan developed by and agreed to by the resident and their supervisors.
  • In addition to being supervised by registered psychology practitioners, residents will also work with Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Paediatricians, Family Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Certified Teachers
  • A certificate of completion is presented to all residents who successfully complete the program. 
  • The program actively demonstrates understanding and respect for variability in human diversity in recruitment and evaluation of staff and residents. Didactic instruction and practical experience are provided regarding the variability in human diversity. The residency program also makes accommodations for residents and staff with diverse needs, such as people with disabilities and other unique needs.

     

DUE PROCESS AND GRIEVANCES

There are clear, written policies provided for all residents regarding Due Process and Grievances.

DURATION, STIPEND, AND BENEFITS

The stipend for the Residency is $37,500. The Residency Program for 2023-24 starts on September 5, 2023 and ends on August 30, 2024.

Benefits include:

  • 15 days paid vacation
  • 10 days paid statutory holidays
  • Sick leave aligned with provincial Ontario legislation
  • $1500 travel/education fund for workshops, conferences, books relevant to training
  • Group insurance offered after 3 months
  • OHIP basic coverage immediately if residing in Ontario
  • Residents are strongly encouraged to have their own professional liability insurance, purchasable through CPA

     

Possibilities Clinic assessments and interventions are provided to patients through secure video sessions, so predoctoral psychology residents are accepted from across Canada. If residents live in the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, or are willing to relocate to the GTA for the residency year, we offer a hybrid approach, including both in-person and virtual assessment and therapy sessions. The Clinic is equipped with fully accessible work spaces, secure and confidential online access, clerical support, audio-visual resources for supervision, and assessment materials and supplies.

RELATIONSHIP WITH CPA ACCREDITATION PANEL

The Clinic is working towards accreditation by the Canadian Psychological Association as well as APPIC membership. Currently, our Residency Program is not yet accredited by CPA.

CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY, APPLICATION, AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

Applications are considered by a group of Psychologists at the Possibilities Clinic, under the direction of the Director of Psychology Training. Those candidates who are selected will be invited for a virtual interview. Candidates for the residency must be in the final stages of a Doctoral program (Ph.D. or PsyD) in a Clinical Psychology program in Canada. Candidates should be fluent in English.

Application procedure: We expect residents to have completed all requisite coursework, and a minimum of 600 hours of practicum experience in assessment and intervention strategies, before starting our Residency Program. We strongly recommend that thesis data collection and analysis are completed prior to beginning the residency year. Ideally, residents should also have completed a draft of the thesis.

Please submit the following documents to:

Dr. Debra Lean
Director of Psychology Training
Possibilities Clinic
debra.lean@possibilitiesclinic.com

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Graduate School Transcript
  • Three Reference Letters: one from the Director of Clinical Training at your program (including a statement that you are eligible to apply for a Predoctoral Clinical Residency) and two from supervisors of previous clinical work
  • A Letter of Interest explaining how the Residency Program at Possibilities aligns with your career goals

     

APPLICATION DEADLINE: We are still accepting applications for the 2023/2024 academic year

For individuals seeking supervised practice for registration with The College of Psychologists of Ontario, we offer supervision from licensed doctoral psychologists who have experience supervising students, residents, and post-graduates in supervised practice. Our psychologists are registered in a range of areas including Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, and Clinical Neuropsychology.

We offer supervision on a part-time or full-time basis. Supervision opportunities include a mix of assessment and intervention experiences. We strive to nurture astute, current, and highly competent clinicians who will ultimately become independent practitioners. Supervision will be administered in accordance with CPO guidelines and will focus on case discussion and preparation for registration exams.

Psychologists in supervised practice will gain assessment experience with a range of options, including our Multidisciplinary Team Signature Assessment—a unique psychoeducational assessment that includes comprehensive ADHD testing plus mental health measures. Our Multidisciplinary Team Focus Forward 360 Assessment for ADHD provides additional assessment experience in supervised practice. Our psychologists also conduct Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) assessments, and there may be opportunities to participate in these assessments depending on interest and availability.

For assessment, clinicians in supervised practice will develop skills in diagnostic interviewing, administering standardized assessment measures, making clinical formulations and diagnoses, writing reports, collaborating with colleagues in Clinical Team Meetings where data are presented and discussed, and providing feedback to clients. Teaching related to evidence-based assessment, ethical practice, and jurisprudence guidelines is incorporated into our supervision for registration program.

Various intervention experiences are also available. ADHD Coaching and therapies for treating symptoms of anxiety, low mood, and emotion regulation are examples. Therapeutic approaches may include, but are not limited to, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS).

Currently, most assessments and treatments are provided over secure telemedicine sessions.

Regular supervision includes weekly meetings, opportunities to observe licensed clinicians while learning new skills, and opportunities to be observed to receive feedback and guidance. Participation in a Clinical Consultation Group, and attendance at clinic workshops and lectures on various topics related to diagnoses and treatments are also options in supervised practice.

If you are interested in either training opportunity, please send an updated CV along with a cover letter specifying the training program you are requesting to training@possibilitiesclinic.com.

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