Statement of Accountability and Responsibility to Indigenous Peoples

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

Increase in Psychological Services Recommended Rate

Please be advised that effective July 1, 2021 the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS) has set the recommended fee for psychological services provided by Psychologists registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology at $210 per hour. The official letter from the APNS President in regard to this increase is available here.

ELECTION 2021: Mental Health Needs of Nova Scotians

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

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”

APNS Statement on Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination

CONTENT ENGAGEMENT NOTICE

This publication contains references to racism and discrimination—which may bring up past experiences of discomfort, anxiety, and or trauma. Please engage with this content only when you feel prepared.

If you feel you have experienced discrimination or harassment based on one or more of the grounds protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act – including race, national or ethnic origin, colour and religion – you may be able to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

The Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS) would like to add our voice in solidarity with others committing to stand against the legacy of systemic racism and injustice that continues to impact Black people living in Canada.

Read more “APNS Statement on Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination”

APNS – COVID-19 Letter to the Chief Medical Officer

Dear Dr. Strang:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, under the direction provided by the Nova Scotia Health Protection Act, most psychologists are no longer conducting in-person appointments other than those determined to be of an urgent nature. To ensure that their existing clients and new clients who need support during the pandemic receive the necessary treatment, many psychologists have moved to a telepsychology delivery model, relying on phone or secure online technology for “face-to-face” contact with clients.

Read more “APNS – COVID-19 Letter to the Chief Medical Officer”

CPACPAP – COVID-19 Letter to Insurers

Dear Mr. Lord,

We write to you given the unprecedented times in which we live. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on how we are all living our lives. Its impact is biological, psychological, social and economic. The demands of healthcare providers are significant and will require them to interact and care for their patients and clients in different and innovative ways.

Read more “CPACPAP – COVID-19 Letter to Insurers”

APNS Statement on Conversion Therapy

CONTENT ENGAGEMENT NOTICE

This publication contains references to discrimination—which may bring up past experiences of discomfort, anxiety, and or trauma. Please engage with this content only when you feel prepared.

The Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS) supports the Canadian Psychology Association (CPA) position statement opposing any therapy with the goal of ‘repairing’ or ‘converting’ an individual’s sexual orientation, regardless of age. Conversion therapy, or reparative therapy, refers to any formal therapeutic attempt to change the sexual orientation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and pansexual individuals to that of heterosexual (e.g., Serovich et al., 2008).

Read more “APNS Statement on Conversion Therapy”

APNS Statement on the Sale and Recreational Use of Cannabis in Nova Scotia

The Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia has concerns and suggestions about the upcoming legalized sale and use of cannabis in Nova Scotia.

We recognize that Nova Scotia must proceed within the context of the change in federal laws coming into effect in July 2018. We also believe that Nova Scotia should follow the stated intent of the federal legislation. The stated purpose of the federal legislation is not to promote recreational use of cannabis, but rather to displace the current illegal system with a regulated system that will be better able to prevent use by youth and limit irresponsible use in general.

Read more “APNS Statement on the Sale and Recreational Use of Cannabis in Nova Scotia”