Admissions Values Statement:
The University of Waterloo Clinical Program is committed to continual evaluation and improvement in admission processes such that equity and diversity are promoted. Having diversity in our graduate program will support a broader process of creating a socially responsive clinical psychology profession that addresses the needs of our society, including those who have historically been underserved. Moreover, diversity in life experiences and perspectives within our program will enrich the learning of all individuals involved in our training community. To this end, we are committed to adopting a more holistic approach to our admission process wherein applicant suitability is defined by a broad set of criteria that go beyond narrow markers of aptitude that may exclude those students with less privilege (e.g., volunteer experiences such as unpaid research experiences). We value aspects of applicants’ life experience and community engagement that would enhance their application. Within our application procedures, we seek to identify and reduce biases (e.g., group interviews, standardized questions), as well as to ensure accessibility (e.g., virtual interviews). We encourage and welcome Canadian citizens and permanent residents from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply to our program.
We are looking for students to help advance our understanding of mental health difficulties, and are motivated to use empirical methods to satisfy their curiosity through research.
Checklist for preparing your application to our program:
1. Review Admission Requirements and our Advice for Potential Applicants.
2. Apply for External Scholarships (e.g., SSHRC, OGS) the fall before you hope to start graduate school.
This is not required, but highly recommended.
3. Identify one or more prospective supervisors by checking which clinical faculty will be accepting a student.
Our list of faculty accepting students and their research interests are listed below.
4. Check and make note of application deadlines.
5. Review and make note of all application procedures.
6. Attend to clinical psychology-specific application instructions.
See below for details.
Clinical Psychology-Specific Application Instructions
In addition to the broader departmental application requirements, applicants to the clinical psychology program should follow the guidelines below:
Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment
Through our Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment, our students receive state-of-the-art training and supervision in assessment and treatment across the lifespan. Our program has strong partnerships with agencies and service providers in the community. In addition to core faculty, our students receive supervision from highly talented adjunct faculty who practice in a variety of clinical settings. All students receive carefully supervised in-house training in psychoeducational and diagnostic assessment, and evidence-based treatment of a wide range of difficulties in children, adolescents, and adults. We are also proud to offer opportunities for training in family therapy, couples therapy and group therapy, and specialized rotations in operational stress injuries, in assessment of people newly arrived in Canada who are seeking refugee status, and in gold-standard assessment of autism spectrum disorders.
Clinical Psychology Faculty
CHILD PSYCHOLOGY
Faculty Researcher: Dillon Browne
Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma, and socioeconomic status on human development
*May be accepting new students in 2024*
Faculty Researcher: Tara McAuley
Nature and development of executive control in children, and the relation of executive skills to psychopathology
*Not accepting new students in 2024*
Faculty Researcher: Elizabeth Nilsen
Development of cognitive and communication skills in typically and atypically developing children
*May be accepting new students in 2024*
ADULT ANXIETY STUDIES
Faculty Researcher: David Moscovitch
Cognitive-behavioural mechanisms underlying the nature and treatment of social anxiety
*May be accepting new students in 2024*
Faculty Researcher: Christine Purdon
Development and persistence of anxiety and compulsions
*Not accepting new students in 2024*
TREATMENT AND INTERACTION
Faculty Researcher: Allison Kelly
Role of shame and self-criticism in the development and maintenance of eating disorders, and of compassion in its prevention and alleviation
*Not accepting new students in 2024*
Faculty Researcher: Uzma Rehman
The role of interpersonal processes in sexual satisfaction and functioning
*May be accepting new students in 2024*
Faculty Researcher: Jonathan Oakman
Scientific and practical utility of single-case designs in psychotherapy
*Not accepting new students in 2024*
Clinical faculty members welcome e-mail inquiries from prospective applicants. However, applicants should know that their application materials will only be reviewed through the formal admissions process in December. Similarly, due to the volume of applicants, faculty can only meet with applicants who are short-listed to receive an interview during this process.
Testimonials
"The clinical faculty clearly care about students, appreciate student feedback, and work towards improving the program"
Alex
"I love the supportive and collaborative culture of the Clinical Psychology program at UW. This is a place where I instantly felt at home and it has been a privilege to work towards my goals alongside some of the nicest and brightest people I have ever met, under the expert guidance of leaders in this field!"
Vanja
"I’m appreciative of the psychotherapy supervision opportunities afforded to us at UWaterloo. Supervision (hour-for-hour and supported by video recording) is provided by both core faculty and adjuncts from the community, working from varied treatment modalities, and has been an immensely helpful training experience."
Beth
"My favourite part of the Clinical Psychology program is the breadth of experiences we gain. I have had the opportunity to learn diverse methods of therapy, conduct independent research, and practice as a student clinician. I feel that the program has helped me to become a well-rounded scientist-practitioner."
Siobhan