NS government investing $7.9 million to enhance mental health care
The Government of Nova Scotia today announced $7.9 million in funding for a new Doctor of Psychology (or PsyD) program at MSVU, an associated youth mental health clinic, and four new residency positions to help prepare doctoral level psychologists.
The new Doctor of Psychology Program in School and Child Clinical Psychology will include three years of coursework and supervised practice, plus a fourth year of full-time residency. It will prepare graduates to provide youth-focused psychological services in school, health, and community settings.
Work is actively underway on program development, with submissions being prepared for review by MSVU’s Senate and the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Council (MPHEC). The anticipated start date for the inaugural class is September 2026.
The new youth mental health clinic, to be located at MSVU, will offer psychological services to the public, while providing high quality training and supervision experiences for students. The clinic will be the first child and adolescent focused psychology training clinic in the province.
In addition to the funding announced today, the NS Office of Addictions and Mental Health will provide operational funding for the clinic, with contracts still being finalized.
In a media release issued today, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health Brian Comer said, “There’s a need here in Nova Scotia, and throughout Canada, for more child psychologists.” “This program will train more doctorate-level psychologists right here at home. They will provide services, as part of their training, on campus at a brand new psychology clinic, opening more access for families and children.”
“MSVU and the provincial government share a commitment to keep talented students in Nova Scotia and help meet the growing need for critical youth mental health care,” said Dr. Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University. “With the support of our partners in government, we’re able to leverage MSVU’s existing expertise in school and child psychology to train child and youth-focused doctoral level clinicians and at the same time expand much needed mental health services for families.”
Dr. Sara King and Dr. Melissa McGonnell are registered psychologists and coordinators of the current School Psychology program at MSVU. “We are excited to receive funding from the Province for this program, which will be the first child-focused PsyD in Canada,” said Dr. King. Added Dr. McGonnell, “The addition of an on-campus training clinic, which will include four pre-doctoral residency positions, will enhance the training experience for students in the program. We look forward to training highly skilled psychologists who will serve a critical role in meeting the mental health needs of Nova Scotia children, youth, and their families.”
Kennedy Hackett is a Psychology undergraduate student at MSVU. She had this to say about today’s announcement: “As an aspiring clinical psychologist, I’m thrilled about this new doctoral opportunity here at home in Nova Scotia. The emphasis of the MSVU PsyD on hands-on training and extensive practica teaching is what makes this program so exciting. Being able to apply what you’re learning in a real clinical setting means that students can make a difference for those in need of care, while at the same time learning from expert supervisors who are leaders in the field.”
A PsyD differs from a PhD for its focus on practical training, though with research components still included.
Media contact:
Gillian Batten
Director, Communications & Marketing
902-457-6439
Gillian.Batten@msvu.ca