Publications

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

RENEWAL 2021-2022: Membership and Private Practice Listings

Published:   •  1 minute read

APNS membership and Private Practice listings run from September 1st to August 31st. It is now time to renew your APNS Membership and your Private Practice on-line listing.

Below are links for the Membership form and the PPD form (hard copy and website)

APNS Membership Form 2021-2022

APNS Private Practice Listing Form 2021-22

You have several options for payment:

  1. You may click the links above to download the renewal forms, complete and mail a cheque to the address on the form or below.
  2. You may complete the form with your Visa or MasterCard number and scan and email it to apns@apns.ca or fax to 902-462-9801.
  3. You may pay over the phone by calling 902-422-9183 (between 7 am and 2 pm). If you recently paid by credit card we may have your number on file, you may contact apns@apns.ca to ask this to be processed.
  4. You may pay by e-transfer to apns@apns.ca
  5. If you are unsure about your membership or PP Listing status please contact apns@apns.ca

Increase in Psychological Services Recommended Rate

Published:   •  1 minute read

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

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”

Nova Scotia Psychologist Spring 2021

Published:   •  1 minute read

The Nova Scotia Psychologist Spring 2021 is now available.  This issue is also the Annual Report and contains all the information you need for the AGM on Friday, May 28th. Please select this link to download.
What’s Inside:

  • President’s Report
  • AGM Minutes 2020
  • Proposed Amendments to the Constitution
  • Nominations & Elections Report
  • Awards & Honours
  • APA Council Report
  • Committees & Volunteers  
  • Strategic Planning Report
  • CPAP Report
  • Private Practice Committee Report
  • Advocacy Committee Report
  • Early Career Group Report
  • Cultural Diversity Committee Report
  • Post Disaster Committee Report
  • Assistant Manager – Volunteers Report 
  • Continuing Education Committee Report
  • CE Upcoming Report

APNS COVID-19 Survey Part 2: Where are we now?

Published:   •  1 minute read

A year ago APNS conducted a survey on how the pandemic affected psychologists in Nova Scotia. The goal this COVID Part 2 Survey is to get a sense of how things have changed for psychologists since this time last year. Where are we now and how have psychologists adapted? We hope you will consider participating. Here is the link:

https://form.simplesurvey.com/f/s.aspx?s=0d4e1941-04e9-476d-b7ce-22efe98097cd

If you have any questions or problems with this survey, please contact apns@apns.cayou

Highlights of COVID-19 Survey May 2020

Published:   •  4 minute read

In May 2020, APNS asked its membership how they were being affected by the pandemic. Below is a brief survey of our findings. The full results were published in the Nova Scotia Psychologist Fall 2020, pages 12-16.

APNS is now conducting another COVID survey, COVID-19 Where are we now? Out goal is to compare how things have changed for psychologists in a year.

Read more “Highlights of COVID-19 Survey May 2020”