The COVID-19 lockdowns are still in effect in most countries throughout the world, putting a burden not only on people’s finances but also on their emotional health.
As increased media reports fill online media channels, the Coronavirus pandemic has generated an increase in concern, affecting the mental health of many Canadians.
The Canadian Mental Health Association mentioned that 1 in 5 Canadians will encounter mental health concerns every year. People need psychological help now more than ever as the Coronavirus keeps putting strain on individuals who have been greatly affected, either directly or indirectly by the pandemic.
It is an excellent idea to pursue becoming a psychologist in Canada. Canada is known to prioritize people’s mental health more than any other country in the world. More and more people need help concerning their mental health, especially during hard times like these.
Here is everything you need to know about becoming a psychologist in Canada.
Where can psychologists work?
Some psychologists mainly work as researchers and professors at universities and government and non-governmental organizations.
Others work as practitioners primarily in health facilities, schools, clinics, detention institutions, employee assistance programs, and private offices. Many psychologists are involved in both research and clinical practice.
Requirements and Qualifications to Be a Psychologist in Canada
Inquire about registration requirements
To work as a psychologist in Canada, you must first be registered or chartered. The educational qualifications for registration may differ from one province to another.
A doctorate in psychology is required in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. In Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories, a master’s degree in psychology is required.
Education Requirements
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you should continue to graduate school to earn a master’s and/or doctoral degree in psychology.
At the master’s degree level, you can earn a master of arts (M.A.) or a master of science (M.S.) (M.Sc.).
In a master’s program, students are typically required to take courses in research methods and statistics, complete a major project, such as a research thesis or a considerable literature review/critique, and publish and defend the project in either a poster setting or in front of a committee.
Master’s degree holders are better prepared to enter doctoral programs of study.
A master’s degree can be used in various sectors, including education, business and trade, mental health, and governance. Child care workers, school counsellors or administrators, testing and assessment psychologists, or therapists are examples of such professionals.
Individuals with an M.Sc. can work as government researchers, research associates or research consultants, and research administrators in service organizations or institutions.
A PhD degree in clinical or experimental psychology, or a Psy.D., can be obtained at the PhD level. Students in a PhD program typically take classes, pass comprehensive exams, perform original research, and write and defend his\her dissertation.
Those who want to provide psychological services to their clients must also spend at least one year volunteering and receiving supervision. As a result, a PhD program in clinical psychology necessitates both research and practitioner expertise. A year of internship is not required for PhD programs in experimental psychology.
A Psy.D. program, also known as a “professional school,” emphasizes training and professional practice.
There are different types of psychology, so you must know what you really want to pursue. This is to make sure that you don’t waste your time, money, and effort on something you found out that won’t work out in the end.
For clinical psychologists
In Canada, a doctorate (PhD) is considered the entry-level degree for a career in psychology. The CPA says that a doctorate degree offers the best preparation for professional work and maximizes employment opportunities.
However, there are opportunities for employment at the master’s level of preparation, such as M.Sc., M.A., and M.Ed. Individuals with a master’s degree can, for example, get to be chartered psychologists and college professors in some Canadian provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan.
In Canada, the requirements for being registered, licensed, certified, or chartered as a psychologist providing mental health services vary by province. Having acquired a master’s or doctoral degree does not ensure licensure.
The following are the typical requirements:
- having the required graduate degree,
- having supervised experience, and
- passing verbal and writing exams on practice and ethical issues.
It is the responsibility of the aspiring student to learn about the licensing, certification, or chartering requirements of the provinces in which they wish to practice. It also concerns the quality of the graduate programs in which they are interested in training.
