CMHR Renovations Near Completion

CMHR renovations near completion

Started last fall, the CMHR expansion and renovations are nearing completion.  When completed, the new CMHR will have two resident offices, two staff offices, a research resource room, a library/reading area, a new family therapy area (picture below), a new student computer work area, and a new group therapy room (picture below).

Dr. Ian Nicholson, Director of the CMHR, describes this as one of the strengths of Psychology at the University of Waterloo.  “To have an important mental health centre such as the CMHR expand so soon after it was first opened speaks to the quality of the work of the CMHR – not just in our research and training opportunities but also in the care we can provide to those in the Waterloo community who could not otherwise access affordable psychological care” says Nicholson.

While allowing for more service to be provided, the multi-purpose nature of many of the rooms will also enable the Centre to meet many of its goals, both now and in the future. 

For example, the new group therapy room can also be set up not just for groups but also meetings and seminars.  New video cameras allow for improved research capabilities, and state-of-the-art training of CMHR students.  It also allows for potential online video streaming of clinical workshops to off-site mental health practitioners seeking professional development, enhancing the Centre’s engagement with the mental health community.

According to CMHR Executive Director, Dr. David Moscovitch, the newly refurbished CMHR will allow for an even greater integration of mental health research, training, and evidence-based care to those in need. “This expansion allows for us to merge our research into psychological problems of both adults and children, such as anxiety and mood disorders, with excellent clinical care provided by our team of psychologists and student therapists,” Moscovitch says.

Completion of the renovations is expected by the fall of this year.