News Publications

The Nova Scotia Psychologist Fall 2022

Published:   •  1 minute read

The Nova Scotia Psychologist Fall 2022: Member Recognition is now available.

What’s Inside

  • President’s Report
  • AGM Report
  • AGM Treasurer’s Report
  • AGM Budget 2022-23 & Projected to 2025
  • APA Council of Representatives Report
  • Awards & Honours 2022
  • Profile Student Award: Tiberiu Mahu
  • Profile Student Bursary: Andy Kim
  • Profile Fellow: Dr Richard MacGillivray
  • Profile: Dr Richard Braha
  • CE Workshop
  • Advertisements & Acknowledgements
  • Committees & Representatives

Presentation of the 2022 APNS Awards

Published:   •  3 minute read

APNS presented the 2022 Awards to the following recipients at its AGM on May 27th.
More information about the awards.

Fellow of the Association honours those individuals who have made significant and enduring contributions to APNS. They are psychologists who have helped shape the Association and have contributed to the development of psychology in Nova Scotia.  Recipient – Dr. Richard MacGillivray

The Dr. Charles J.A. Hayes Lifetime Contribution Award recognizes those psychologists who have spent a significant part of their professional lifetime supporting the profession of psychology at the provincial, national and international level. The name of the Award serves to honour Dr. Charles J.A. Hayes, a well-respected Psychologist and long-time APNS member.  Recipient – Dr. Victor Day

The APNS Excellence in Psychology Award recognizes those mid-career psychologists who have demonstrated excellence in their professional activities. The award may be given for work in a particular area of practice, work setting, specific population or treatment approach, or in respect to their peers.  Recipient – Dr. Erica Baker

The Outstanding APNS Early Career Psychologist Award recognizes those in the first 10 years of their career who have actively participated in APNS and in so doing have advanced their career in psychology. Recipient –  no nominations for 2022

The Outstanding APNS Student Award addresses the challenges of preparing for a career in psychology at the Masters or Doctoral level, and recognizes those who have participated in APNS and who plan to pursue a career in psychology in Nova Scotia.  Recipient – no nominations for 2022

The APNS Community Service Award for Psychologists recognizes the contributions of psychologists who do outstanding volunteer service beyond their role as a psychologist, including on-going volunteer work for a specific community or cause, fostering inclusion, promoting understanding or health promotion initiatives. Recipient – Kay Jenson

The APNS Community Service Award in Mental Health recognizes non-psychologists who have made valuable contributions to the community in a health and wellness setting or through activities that raise awareness or advocate on mental health issues. Recipient – no nominations for 2022

The APNS Diversity in Psychology Bursary assists diverse Psychology students who are in need of support while pursuing a post-secondary education in Psychology.  There were two recipients this year.  Recipients – Noemie Bergeron-Germain, Acadia and Andy Kim, Dalhousie

The Gerald Gordon Memorial Prize for Psychology is awarded for outstanding undergraduate achievement in Psychology in Nova Scotia. It is named for Dr. Gerald Gordon to honour the contribution he made to APNS. Recipient – Jillian Taylor, St. Mary’s

The Brian Dufton Memorial Prize for Psychology is awarded for outstanding graduate achievement in Psychology in Nova Scotia. It is named for Dr. Brian Dufton to honour the contribution he made to the education of Psychology students.            Recipient – Ioan Tiberiu Mahu, Dalhousie

Nova Scotia Psychologist Spring 2022: Annual Report Issue

Published:   •  1 minute read

The Nova Scotia Psychologist Spring 2021-22 is now available.  This is our Annual Report Issue which will provide the documents that will be addressed at our AGM on Friday May 27th 12 noon.

Please select this link to download.

What’s Inside:

President’s Report

Last Year’s AGM Minutes

Honours, Awards & Bursaries 2022

APA Council Report

APNS New Staff

Committees & Volunteers:

  • Strategic Planning Report
  • CPAP Report
  • Committee Reports

Continuing Education

Acknowledgements

Advertisements

Committees & Representatives

Canada’s National Nature Prescription Program launches in the Maritimes

Published:   •  2 minute read

The Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia is pleased to support PaRx along with many other professional health organizations across Canada. This aligns well with the APNS initiative begun in 2017 partnering with communities across Nova Scotia to install “Sit and Chat Benches” in parks to encourage personal interaction and enhance mental and physical health. Read the full media release.

Canada’s National Nature Prescription Program launches in the Maritimes

Nature prescriptions were named one of the top 8 global wellness trends in 2019. And it’s no surprise—research shows that kids and adults who spend more time in nature are happier and healthier. Starting with a BC launch in November 2020, and subsequent launches in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, PaRx is proud to be recognized worldwide as Canada’s national, evidence-based nature prescription program. 

On April 22nd, PaRx officially launched across the Maritimes. Featuring practical resources like quick tips and patient handouts, its goal is to make prescribing time in nature simple, fun and effective. And thanks to the program’s collaboration with Parks Canada, registered prescribers can prescribe one free Parks Canada Discovery Pass per month to patients, prioritizing those who live close to Parks Canada administered sites, and for whom the cost of a pass would be a barrier to access.

As part of the Maritimes launch, and out of gratitude to health-care workers, the BC Parks Foundation is offering free remote nature therapy sessions led by certified nature therapy guides to all prescribers so they can experience the stress-relieving benefits of nature themselves. 

Check out www.parkprescriptions.ca for more information on nature prescriptions and to register to become a prescriber. 

Nova Scotia Psychologist Winter Issue

Published:   •  1 minute read

The Nova Scotia Psychologist Winter 2021-22  is now available.  Please select this link to download.
What’s Inside:

  • President’s Report
  • Call for Nominations: Executive
  • Call for Nominations: Honours, Awards & Bursaries
  • APNS Awards 2021: Presented in Person
  • Psychology Month 2022
  • The Nova Scotia Psychologist: New Format
  • Upcoming APNS Survey
  • APNS Is Hiring
  • In Memoriam: Dr Patrick O’Neill
  • Acknowledgements
  • Advertisements
  • Committees & Representatives

Statement of Accountability and Responsibility to Indigenous Peoples

Published:   •  1 minute read

The Council of Professional Associations of Psychologists (CPAP), of which APNS is a member, has made a Statement of Accountability and Responsibility to Indigenous Peoples. APNS has supported this statement that acknowledges that psychologists must be accountable for the profession’s marginalization of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

To promote this accountability, CPAP’s Board of Directors moved to formally endorse the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Statement of Accountability in the CPA Task Force’s report entitled, “Psychology’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report.”

To read more, please see Psychology’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report by clicking on the link below.

https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Task_Forces/TRC%20Task%20Force%20Report_FINAL.pdf

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report and other related reports may be downloaded here:

https://nctr.ca/records/reports/#trc-reports

ELECTION 2021: Mental Health Needs of Nova Scotians

Published:   •  3 minute read

What to say when approaching your candidate

Questions for your candidate on psychological services

  1. What does your party’s election platform propose concerning the mental health of Nova Scotians?
  2. What will your party do to improve access to psychological services in Nova Scotia and in this riding, particularly for middle and low income Nova Scotians?  
  3. Do you support correcting the historical underfunding of mental health services, in comparison to health services for physical problems? 
Read more “ELECTION 2021: Mental Health Needs of Nova Scotians”

Justice for 215 Indigenous Children and All Survivors of Residential Schools

Published:   •  2 minute read

Statement from APNS

We extend our solidarity and condolences during this devastating time to the First Nations community in Tk’emlúpste te Secwépemc territory and across this land.

We are shocked and saddened by the reports of the discovery of the remains of 215 children, some young as three, at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. This is another terrible chapter in the dark and horrific legacy of residential schools.

Read more “Justice for 215 Indigenous Children and All Survivors of Residential Schools”