Described by her mentors as a future leader in clinical psychology, Danielle Rice (BA Hons '12, Psychology) has an incredible CV for such a young person. At only 25, she’s published 21 peer-reviewed papers, eight online book chapters and presented 50 times at conferences. Alongside her full-time studies as a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at McGill University, she provides outpatient individual therapy for adults at two Montreal hospitals. She has also assisted with group therapy for adults with ADHD and patients suffering from depression, and provided cognitive and mental health assessments of patients with strokes, heart attacks and dementia.
Rice credits her time at UWaterloo with instilling in her a love for research, as well as clinical practice. Highly engaged as an undergraduate, Rice was a teaching assistant in psychology at St. Jerome’s University, a tutor for students in Statistics and an active member of the athletics department. She hopes to one day run her own collaborative care centre, where she can combine clinical and academic work.
What draws you to psychology?
I’ve always really liked the way that psychology allows for the combination of research, teaching, clinical work and supervision. Promoting meaningful and effective changes and helping others discover their strengths has always been most important to me. I find it difficult to see others struggling and I want to be able to help provide strategies and tools for growth and improved mood.
Based on your research and practice, how do you think mental health services in Canada need to be improved?
I would like to see more mental health services available and an easier way to maneuver the system. Even as a clinician, I am often uncertain of the easiest way for people to get services, both in Ontario or Quebec. I think the most efficient ways to access mental health services can be unclear to the general public.
In Montreal, I provide therapy for tertiary care patients. Ideally, these people would be treated early on. Instead, mental health patients can arrive at hospitals in crisis, which is an unpleasant and scary time for the patients, but also creates longer waiting times for those with medical conditions. It really has a domino effect on the whole health care system.
What is your role in improving services?
I’m in a unique position where I’m able to do the research and then apply it or present it to health care professionals. I’d like to see care that better matches the patient. If someone seeking services is experiencing lower level of stress and they’ve comfortable doing bibliotherapy — giving them a clinically useful workbook and helping them through — that can often be a better use of resources and a better match to someone’s needs than putting them directly into individual therapy. Group therapy, too, is a great way to see many people, 10 or 15, at one time.
How has the University of Waterloo shaped your career?
Waterloo was the foundation for everything psychology-related that I’ve learned. I was originally uninterested in research when I came out of high school. But after first-year university, I was able to see the influence that research has on a large scale. I found the time in my psychology courses to be really beneficial and it was complemented by the labs I worked in. The profs and grad students took the time to really teach me the foundations that you need to do good-quality research.
Do you still have connections to Waterloo?
Yes, I do. All my best friends are from the University of Waterloo. There’s seven of us that still spend a lot of time together. One is employed there. I met my long-term partner at Waterloo. I often come back and visit.
We want your nominations!
The Faculty of Arts welcomes nominations for the Arts Alumni Achievement Award and the Arts Young Alumni Award. The nomination deadline is April 30 each year. Visit the Arts alumni awards web page for details.
