2021-2022 PAA Annual Report

2021-2022

ANNUAL REPORT

Table of Contents Advocate For Psychology Media Report 2021 Awards Recipients Task Force Reports Psychological Health For Albertans 2022 Psychology Month PAA Referral Service Development of Psychologists Continuing Professional Development Practice Advisors, PERT, & CoP Membership Membership Benefits & Services Referral Service & BMS Governance President’s & Treasurer's Reports Financial Statements Thank you

2020-2025 Strategic Plan 3

Advocate for psychology’s unique value

Promote the psychological health of all Albertans

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Enhance the development of psychologists across the career lifespan

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Focus on PAA’s membership value

Ensure financial sustainability

Welcome!

As a PAA member, you build on the strength of our profession in Alberta. Our core values of access, inclusion, collaboration, leadership, and psychological health are shared. Together, they are realized. And we collaborate with every psychology professional association in North America to maximize those benefits for us all.

This report is one of reflection on our 01 April 2021 to 2022 year, celebrating successes in our targets to advocate for psychology’s unique value, promote the psychological health of all Albertans, enhance the development of psychologists across the career lifespan, focus on PAA’s membership value, and ensure financial sustainability.

Who We Are And What We Do The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) is the voice of, and for, psychology in Alberta..

PAA is the voluntary body that:  Advocates for psychology in Alberta.  Informs the public & the media.  Advocates for consumers of psychotherapy, psychological, & mental health services.

We support many initiatives that seek to enhance psychological health & wellness in our province by:  Having an active communications strategy.  Operating a province-wide referral service.  Providing professional development, and networking opportunities for our members.

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AVOCATE FOR PSYCHOLOGY’S UNIQUE VALUE

Psychology in the Media

Advocacy efforts continued beyond pandemic leadership informing the Alberta Pain Strategy, family violence, gender-based violence, women’s health, addiction and mental health, rural mental health, trauma-informed care, nursing wellness, health equity, depression, ending conversion therapy, and always for increasing access.

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Appearances of PAA members on various media platforms

NEWS

34

Interviews

7 PODCASTS

8 OTHER

PAA Representatives and Editors  Psymposium Editor – Dr. Michelle Vandegriend  Disaster Response Network Coordinator – Dr. Judy Moench  National Committee on Psychologist Wellness of ACPRO & CPAP –    

Tatiana Lund APA Council of Representative – Dr. Lana Hawkins APA Rural Health Coordinator Representative - Robert McGarva CESPPA Representative for Alberta – Dr. Judi Malone APA Division 31 Representative – Nicki Wilson

RADIO Interviews

12 COLUMNS

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Contributors: Dr. Judi Malone, Dr. Ganz Ferrance, Dr. Denise Larsen, Dr. Linda Hancock, Dr. Brent Macdonald, Ms. Connie Leclair, Dr. Jody Carrington, Ms. Baljinder Sull, Dr. Angela Grace, Dr. Laura Hambley, Aimee Reimer, Nina Hornjatkevyc, Dr. Jeff Chang, and Dr. Marjorie Mayer. Dr. Candace Konnert, Dr. Nicole Racine, Tara Boothby, Dr. Pauleen Kamps, Dr. Janet Miller, Dr. Mitch Colp, Dr. Kerry Bernes, Katie Birnie, Dr. Marjorie Mayer, Jenny Peetoom, Dr. Carmen Dodsworth, Dr. Cory Hrushka, Dr. Christina Rinaldi, Larissa Predy, Devyn Rorem, Michelle Buckle, Dr. Gina Ko, Dr. Jon Amundson, Mark Korthuis, Dr. Caroline Buzanko & Katrina Hewton, and many others who continue to speak about psychological topics in the media.

Psychology Shaping the Landscape PAA gives you a voice at the table where it matters most PSYCHOLOGY GROUPS • The Canadian Psychological Association

• The Council of Professional Associations of Psychology of Canada

• The American Psychological Association

• AHS Psychology Professional Practice Council

PROVINCIAL ADVOCACY GROUPS

HEALTH GROUPS

TARGETED RESPONSE GROUPS

• CMHA Alberta

• The Alberta Pain Network

• Alberta Region Parole Board

• Alberta Workplace Wellness

• APS Working Group on

• CMHA Rural Mental Health

Chronic Pain

Network

• AHS Addiction & Mental

• Alberta Women’s Health

Health Strategic Clinical Network

Leadership Council

• Alberta Palliative Care

• AHS Addiction & Mental

Competencies & Education Project

Health Research Hub

• Collaboration with the other

• Health Coalition of Alberta and

Health Professions Act Associations

AMHAC/psychiatry

• Family Physicians collaborative network for pain & addiction

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Project

• CMHA Depression Advisory Council

• Edmonton/Calgary Community Mental Health Action Committees

• Family Violence Community Initiatives Project

• Blue Quills University addiction and mental health program

2021 PAA AWARD RECIPIENTS

Bonnie Rude-Weisman Pettifor Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Erik Wikman 2021 Psychologist of the Year Award

Dr. Erica Dunn Clinical Supervision Award

Megan Cowie Masters’ Research Award

Dr. Lia Daniels Excellence in Teaching Award

Laura Flanigan Doctoral Research Award 4

Patricia Pedraza Cruz Community Service Award

Dr. Laura Hambley John G. Paterson Media Award

Carmen Tessier Undergraduate Research Award

Task Force Reports Racism in Alberta Psychology Task Force Mateo Huezo (co-chair), Caryn Tong (co-chair), Chelsea Hobbs, Asma Al-Sakaf, Nathan Foerger, & Noreen Sibanda, Board Liaison – Carmen Bellows

This task force has completed a broad scan of the literature to identify existing practice guidelines for addressing racism in the practice of psychology. Additionally, an environmental scan was conducted specific to related educational and treatment resources. There was also an opportunity to align with related efforts from the American Psychological Association’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office. A final report is being prepared for the PAA Board of Directors in addition to resources for PAA members.

Mentorship Task Force Katie Bradley, Patricia Cruz, Dr. Helena Dayal, Heather Gower, Jessica Heil, Chelsea Hobbs, Nathalie Mercier, Dr. Terilyn Pott, Julia Russell, Vanessa Siso, April Salciano, Board Liaison – Tamara Stuart

This was a significant year for the Mentorship Task Force (MTF), as we accomplished our objectives and wrapped up our work in April 2022. Over the last three years, the MTF has worked diligently on developing and implementing a mentorship program for PAA members and reached some significant milestones. We started the year off with a win when we advocated for the purchase of mentorship matching software, which was accepted by the board. Over the next few months, the task force designed the matching process and engaged in testing and refinement of the software.

Members should anticipate over the next few months receiving further information regarding the launch of the mentorship program, and all of us on the MTF encourage you to sign up as a mentor, as a mentee, or both! We strongly believe that this program will strengthen our community and benefit all psychologists, at every career stage.

Technology in Practice Task Force Dr. Michael Stolte (chair), Dr. Trevor Josephson, Eileen Noel, Dr. Jose Domene, Tracy De Boer & Andrew Luceno. Board Liaison – Dr. Jacqui Linder

The Task Force continues to focus on its mandate by the PAA, meeting approximately every 6 weeks to discuss and make recommendations on how to use technology in effective, efficient, and ethical ways within the practice of psychology. Past year highlights include the recruitment of two more members; attending a webinar by Psious (a virtual reality company out of the U.K.); discussing telehealth training and options in Canada; identifying email security options to maximize benefit and minimize risks; identifying how and why we choose certain technologies; and meeting with Dr. Jonathan Perle – a researcher in the field of telehealth from the United States.

Numerous articles were also written for Psymposium. If there is enough energy, the TiP Task Force may do a follow-up survey in the Fall of 2022 to better inform telehealth options for psychologists - now that many Alberta psychologists have more experience with this practice option.

Awards Adjudication Committee Dr. Judi Malone (chair), Dr. Emma Climie, Dr. Kerry Mothersill, Dr. Erik Wikman, Dr. Lynda Phillips, Dr. Jessica Van Vliet, Board Liaison – Dr. Sally MacLean

PAA 2021 Awards & Welcome to the Profession Celebration was hosted online.

Your Awards Adjudication Committee adjudicated 22 nominations for 9 PAA Awards and collected 9 Best Poster Award Submissions. This committee meets twice yearly to: a) review existing award nomination forms and criteria and recommend changes to the Board as required; b) review award nominations and select the recipients of the awards, and c) review and address other issues related to awards.

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PAA-CAP Joint Task Force TRC & Alberta Psychology Dr. Judi Malone, Dr. Richard Spelliscy, Wilma Spearchief, Loretta McConnell, Meaghan Farquharson, Janice Minoose, Dr. Karlee Fellner, Dr. Deena Martin

The purpose of the Alberta TRC Taskforce is to review the Canadian Psychological Association’s Task Force Report, “Psychology’s Response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report” within the context of psychology in Alberta. This group has worked collaboratively since 2018 and is currently finalizing their contributions to our profession. This 8-member group includes 5 Indigenous psychologists in practice and have established a core strategy, began consultation with regional Elders, and piloted a grant-based training program for leaders. Tangible outcomes to date include PAA’s educational resources and formal advocacy with Indigenous Services Canada as well as CAP’s related Practice Standard and Guidelines, LEAP question, and required annual continuing professional development. Final initiatives will include developing Indigenous leader resources and a provincial Indigenous Psychology collective.

PROMOTE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH OF ALL ALBERTANS Psychological health promotion efforts continued beyond pandemic leadership. We are grateful for the hundreds of member volunteers for their commitment to the PAA Disaster Response Network, presented at career fairs and public sessions, and worked with the media to enhance psychological literacy. And we are delighted that our social media presence continues to expand.

February IS Psychology Month!

Throughout the month, PAA celebrated Psychology Month virtually.

4 PAA Infographics/ Posters/ Videos 1 Province Wide Town Hall 2 Publications 4 Media appearances 76 Social Media posts

PAA Referral Service

24,889 Website searches 95 searches a day 33% searches were Anxiety, Depression, & Adult ADHD

Psychological Services Fund The Psychological Services Fund and the Amina Beecroft Endowment Fund were established in 2005 with the purpose of subsidizing psychological services for Albertan who could not otherwise afford such services. The Psychological Services Fund is a partnership between PAA, the Edmonton Community Foundation, the Calgary Foundation, and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Alberta Division.

15% Covered Trauma, Relationship Issues, Stress, & Assessment issues.

Our online referral tool keeps growing in popularity! And PAA is exploring ways to make this service even better. The numbers of daily searches exceeded last year’s total of searches by 1,468. The service is frequently accessed by clients, community groups, and media. We advertise this service tool in town halls, on HUTV, via 211, our website, videos, on all PAA promotional material, social media, and at PAA continuing professional development events. We want to thank all the members who are part of the referral service and continue to contribute to this valuable resource.

CMHA disbursed $12,469 to thirteen Alberta psychologists for services provided. Funds are expected to be $13,969 starting in October 2023.

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ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOLOGISTS ACROSS THE CAREER LIFESPAN Our accredited continuing professional development continued to evolve with a range of learning styles and opportunities realized. We targeted assessments, addiction, vaccine decision making, EPPP preparation, private practice operations, eating disorders, emotional support animals, psychedelics, active living, anxiety, and clinical supervision. This year we contributed further to this by launching professional ethics round tables and communities of practice from our career development division.

Practice Advisor Program PAA’s award-winning Practice Advisor Program provides our Full and Life members with free, confidential advice regarding professional practice and/or ethical issues. These experienced experts voluntarily provided information and guidance to a colleague in a difficult situation by responding to over 215 requests in 2021.

Our top three Practice Advisor request topics for 2021 were, in order, Release of Information, Private Practice, and Other.

Requests in the ‘Other’ category include complex family issues, supervision, and regulatory questions.

Thank you to our volunteer Practice Advisors for their significant contribution to the PAA!

Communities of Practice

Professional Ethics Round Tables

PAA’s Communities of Practice on Collaborate are a place for members to connect, ask questions, and share in a secure online platform. Each Community of Practice is geared toward a specific area of practice and includes Assessment, Clinical/ Counselling, Indigenizing Psychology, Private Practice, Public Education & Workplace Wellness, Rural & Northern Psychology, School Psychology, Social Justice, Equity & Diversity, Supervision, and Teaching.

The PAA Professional Ethics Round Tables are a new peersupport program intended to enhance ethical professional practice and decision-making. We held six sessions in 20212022; topics included Ethical Dilemmas in Clinical Supervision, Conflict of Interest, Confidentiality & Consent, Professional Competency, Rural & Small Communities of Practice, and Provision of Supportable Services.

(CoP sizes relative to each other) 7

PAA HIGHLIGHTS

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3,630

Communities of Practice

9

Online Poster Presentations

Members

9

Awards

Social Media Followers

7,495 Psychological Health

41 CPD events

I n c l u s i o n

C o l l a b o r a t i o n

L e a d e r s h i p

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Fact Sheets

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24 Infographics 6

Affinity partners

Task Forces and Board Committees

7 Staff and 5 Interns

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PAA science fair recognitions

FOCUS ON PAA’S MEMBERSHIP VALUE Member Benefits

Advocate, learn, enjoy benefits, contribute, seek practice advice, and market your practice. Membership in your professional association means you have a role in shaping issues that matter, accessing quality CPD learning, getting group discounts, making your mark, joining your peers, seeking practice advice, and promoting private practice.

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Professional Identity We connect, understand, & support psychologists, students, and affiliates.

Voice We advocate for psychology & its consumers, defend scope of practice, enhance psychologists’ opportunities, and inform the public & media.

Support TOTAL MEMBERS

Full Member Full member with Referral

Early Career Early Career with Referral

Life Member Life Member with Referral

Provisional Provisional with Referral

Out of Province Psychological Assistant Professional Affiliate Student Member

All members have discounted professional liability, home/auto, & office insurance rates, and discounted rates for goods and services. Full members also have access to practice advisors and the referral service.

1486 223

760

Professional Development

74

We offer discounted, accredited, & responsive CPD opportunities, & annual awards & recognition.

176 13

735

Communication

48

We publish Psymposium, e-newsletters, & offer discounted advertising to members; are active on social media; & provide opportunities to network, get involved, & shape the profession.

40 10 54 369

Continuing Professional Development Events and Attendance

PAA, CPA and BMS The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the Council of Professional Associations of Psychology (CPAP) co-own the member-funded BMS Liability Insurance Plan ensuring that our members get the best possible rates on the most comprehensive psychology liability insurance. As coowners (PAA is a member of CPAP) we administer this program to the benefit of our members.

The past fiscal year PAA provide online webinars and events.

The online delivery of CPD events was widely popular and PAA observed a large growth in the attendance of webinars.

Online platforms have the advantage of reaching a larger population and having the ability to accommodate more attendees than in-person workshops. The most popular webinar was “General Assessments for Counselling Psychologists” by Jamie Dyce, Ph.D. The most popular primer was “Trauma & PTSD in First Responder Populations” by Dr. Meghan McElheran. The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer Continuing Education (CE) for psychologists.

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President’s Note

PAA Board

I am honored and delighted to serve as the President of the PAA for 2022-23. It has been a privilege to sit alongside Nicki Wilson on the Executive Committee for the past two years.

Nicki has been a thoughtful and unwavering leader. I am grateful that she will continue to support the Board and Executive in her new role as Past-President. This year, I am proud to sit with President-Elect, Heather Gower and Treasurer, April Salciano.

I’d also like to welcome Mira Singh as our newest Director at Large and Board Custodian and thank Tamara Stuart, our outgoing Treasurer. She also served as the early career representative and chaired the Mentorship Taskforce during her time on the board.

On behalf of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Judi Malone, CEO, and her dedicated staff at the PAA. Over the past two years, Judi and her team have worked tirelessly to ensure our members have had timely access to critical information and resources. They have pivoted to provide valuable professional development events and found innovative ways to bring our members together across the province through virtual town halls, PAA Connect meetings, and the PAA Collaborate platform. Their work has allowed us to stay connected, engaged, and informed during a period of potential disconnection and isolation. I am grateful for all that they’ve done.

Heather Gower

Nicki Wilson

President-Elect

Past-President

April Salciano

Dr. Sandra Dixon

Treasurer & Provisional Representative

Early Career Representative

Vanessa Siso

Tammie Austin

Student Representative

Member-at-large

Dr. Sally MacLean

Dr. Jacqui Linder

Member-at-large

Member-at-large

I look forward to spending the next year carrying out the mission, vision, and goals of the PAA. Your President, Claire Petersen Registered Psychologist (AB)

In-Coming May –22

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Out-Going May –22

Mira Singh

Tamara Stuart

Board Custodian

Treasurer

ENSURE FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY Significant membership increases (over 20%), targeted affinity partnerships, diversification in revenue, and temporary decreases in operating costs provided us with significant financial sustainability to reinvest strategically to the benefit of members.

ASSETS CURRENT Cash Prepaid expenses

Treasurer’s Note

CAPITAL ASSETS SECURITY DEPOSIT Total Assets

I am pleased to report to PAA membership on the financial status of the association for the 2021–2022 fiscal year. PAA’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 ended with a surplus of over $56,000. Accordingly, the association’s net assets increased from $972,864 to $1,029,788. Notably, PAA experienced increased revenue from membership growth (+9.5%), workshops (+75%), referral service (+47%), and website advertising (+74%).

PAA’s strong financial status provides a solid foundation upon which we can collectively address the various opportunities that arise through our association over the next fiscal year. Importantly, the Board will work to determine how to best invest surplus funds to benefit PAA members. As treasurer, balancing member services and the long-term sustainability of the association remain high financial priorities.

In accordance with our bylaws, Mahon + Associates Chartered Professional Accountants served as the auditor. On the Board’s behalf, I take this opportunity to thank them for their outstanding service. I’d also like to express my thanks to all PAA staff, board members, and key contributors for their prudent and responsible approach in managing our budget and financial resources.

Financial statements can be accessed by request. For more information, contact the PAA office.

Your Treasurer, April Salciano, MPsy Registered Provisional Psychologist (AB)

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS CURRENT Accounts payable & accrued liabilities Goods and services tax payable Wages payable Deferred revenue Total Liability NET ASSETS Unrestricted Internally restricted Invested in capital assets Total Net Assets Total Liability & Net Assets

Joanna Leung Finance Officer

Kim Bernard Communications Officer

$ $ $ $ $

42,655.00 3,516.00 7,447.00 696,371.00 749,989.00

$ 880,048.00 $ 80,508.00 $ 69,232.00 $ 1,029,788.00 $ 1,779,777.00

Statement of Operation Revenues Expenses Excess of Revenues over Expenses

$ 923,555.00 $ (866,631.00) $ 56,924.00

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Net Assets - Beginning of year Excess of revenues over expenses Net Assets - end of year

$ 972,864.00 $ 56,924.00 $ 1,029,788.00

PAA Staff

Dr. Judi L Malone PAA CEO

$ 1,684,335.00 $ 18,996.00 $ 1,703,331.00 $ 69,232.00 $ 7,214.00 $ 1,779,777.00

Carmen Bellows Director of Professional Affairs

Simon Mak Jessica Dubauskas Jiya Juneja Ada Nieminen Membership Officer Governance Officer Career Development Office Assistant Officer 11

Special Projects 2021-2022 Pandemic safety and leadership remained our primary objective again for this year, but we also remained actively engaged in advocacy initiatives. In the past year, these special projects targeted Indian Residential Schools mass grave findings and our TRC responsibilities and included land-based mental health leadership for Indigenous psychologists and psychologists-in-training.

In Closing This has been a year of growth, challenge, change, and reward. That has inspired us to move forward and set ambitious goals. After all, we are leaders in health!

Please do join me in thanking our stellar group of volunteers, volunteer leaders, and staff. Our commitment is one of continued growth and development to benefit our profession and all Albertans.

Together we (all members) are the PAA!

Dr Judi L Malone PAA CEO R. Psychologist (AB/AUS)

PAA MISSION is to advance the science-based profession of psychology and to promote the well-being and potential of all Albertans.

PAA VISION is that PAA & its members are recognized leaders in enhancing the psychological health of all Albertans.

PAA AFFINITY PARTNERS

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