BSc Hons. with Distinction (Queen’s), MSc, PhD (Western)
Research interests
I received my Honour’s B.Sc. with Distinction from Queen’s University, and M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Western Ontario in 2007 and 2013, respectively. I am a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO).
My primary research interest is exploring the role of cognition and life stress in depression. My master’s thesis examined self-schema organization as a predictor of cognitive reactivity to a laboratory-based mood induction. My dissertation work examined the effect of interpretive biases on the generation of life stress in the context of depression. Other research interests include exploring diathesis-stress and stress generation models of depression using self-schema organization as a cognitive vulnerability factor, the influence of social support on the adversity, stress, and depression relationship, and the developmental origins of cognitive vulnerability to depression. I am also interested in the impact of early relationships with caregivers (i.e., attachment styles) and childhood trauma, and how these influence the subsequent experience of life stress and internalizing difficulties.
Teaching interests
I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Clinical Psychology. I also supervise practicum students in the Clinical Psychology graduate program. I am passionate about my role as teacher, supervisor, and mentor, and strive to help students in whatever ways I can.
Spring 2025
- PSYCH 317 – Child Psychopathology
Winter 2025
- PSYCH 336 – Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Fall 2024
- PSYCH 257 – Psychopathology
Clinical interests
Previously, I have worked in a variety of mental health and behavioural medicine/health psychology settings working individuals ages 0 to 85, including Vanier Children’s Services, the Child and Parent Resource Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Most recently, I completed my Predoctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology (Child and Family Track) at Hamilton Health Sciences.
I am currently involved in teaching clinical psychology graduate students psychological assessment methods and supervising students providing assessment and psychotherapy services at the UWaterloo Centre for Mental Health Research.
I also work in private practice in the community, where I conduct psychological assessments and psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and adults. Clinically, I incorporate several theoretical perspectives including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Developmental Psychopathology, Attachment/Relational Theory, and Family Systems Approaches.
Selected publications
- Dozois, D. J. A., & Seeds, P. M. (2013) Psychological assessment and research methods. In D. J. A. Dozois (Ed.). Abnormal psychology: Perspectives (5th ed., pp. 65-95). Toronto, Ontario: Prentice-Hall.
- Covin, R., Dozois, D. J. A., Ogniewicz, A., & Seeds, P.M. (2011). Measuring cognitive errors: Initial development of the Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS). International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 4, 297-322.
- Seeds, P. M., & Dozois, D. J. A. (2010). Prospective evaluations of a cognitive vulnerability-stress model for depression: The interaction of schema self-structures and negative life events. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66, 1307-1323.
- Seeds, P. M., Harkness, K. L., & Quilty, L. C. (2010). Peer and parental victimization and adolescent depression: Evidence for the mediating role of perceived social support. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 39, 681-692.
- Dozois, D. J. A., Seeds, P. M., & Firestone, P. (2010) Psychological assessment and research methods. In D. J. A. Dozois & P. Firestone (Eds.). Abnormal psychology: Perspectives (4th ed., pp. 59-89). Toronto, Ontario: Prentice-Hall.
- Hayden, E. P., Seeds, P. M., & Dozois, D. J. A. (2009). Risk and vulnerability in adolescent depression. In C. A. Essau (Ed.), Treatment of adolescent depression (pp. 27-56). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Dozois, D. J. A., Seeds, P. M., Collins, K. A. (2009). Transdiagnostic approaches to the prevention of depression and anxiety. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 23, 44-59.
- Covin, R. T., Ouimet, A. J., Seeds, P. M., & Dozois, D. A. J. (2008). A meta-analysis of CBT for pathological worry among clients with GAD. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22, 108-116.
Affiliations
- Member – Ontario Psychological Association (OPA)
- Member – Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
- Founding Member – Canadian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CACBT)
- Professional Colleague – Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT)
- Member – Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
- Member – Association for Psychological Science (APS)
- Member – International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy (IACP)
- Member – Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (SSCAP)
- Member – Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology (SSCP)
- Member – Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)