July 3, 2020

Dear Registrants,

This email blasts covers the following topics:

  • UPCOMING WORKSHOP ON SKILLS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY
  • INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SAFETY WORKSHOP AVAILABLE ONLINE IN REGISTRANT PORTAL
  • REQUEST FOR REGISTRANT SUGGESTIONS ON WEBINAR TOPICS
  • CROSS JURISDICTIONAL PRACTICE

Upcoming Workshop REMINDER – July 9, 2020 4:30 P.M.:  Professional Practice in Disaster Response Part 2: Skills for Psychological Recovery 

The next webinar for registrants will be held on July 9, 2020 from 4:30pm – 6:30pm on the general topic of Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR).  Participants will learn key concepts to disaster psychology, what SPR is, when it is used, for whom it is appropriate, what the core skills are, how it is introduced and implemented and the professional practice standards that apply.

The workshop presenters are once again Dr. Jeanne LeBlanc, R.Psych. bringing her knowledge and experience in disaster response and our Director of Practice Support, Dr. Susan Turnbull, R.Psych. The presentation will be available live online, and available at a later date for those not able to attend on July 9th.  As with the first disaster response workshop, there is no charge for this webinar. Over 100 registrants have already signed up for this webinar.

To RSVP please send an email to rsvp@collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca.  Information on access and participation will follow via email to those who have RSVPed their attendance.
Indigenous Cultural Safety Workshop

As announced last week, a recording of the College’s half-day workshop on the topic of Indigenous Cultural Safety is now available online.  It is also free of cost and accessible by all registrants through the registrant portal.

Learning objectives for the workshop include increased knowledge and understanding of: social determinants of the health of Indigenous peoples, anti-Indigenous racism in health care, ways in which racism in health care can be addressed, the therapeutic alliance and key themes present in Indigenous-settler relations, and destructive relational patterns and ways to protect the integrity of the therapeutic relationship with Indigenous clients.

Quality Assurance Committee Seeks Registrant Suggestions

The Quality Assurance Committee is pleased with the enthusiastic response to the first (and second upcoming) workshop on providing psychological services in the current context. The Committee is also well aware that webinars on other important topics would be useful and invites registrants to provide their suggestions to the College using the feedback@collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca email address.

Cross Jurisdictional Practice

The College of Psychologists of BC regulates the practice of psychology in BC and does not have authority to authorize its registrants to practice in other jurisdictions. If CPBC registrants have questions regarding the provision of telepsychology services to clients in other jurisdictions based on their registration in BC, they should contact the jurisdictions in question. It is our understanding that many other Canadian jurisdictions are taking steps to make this possible, but conditions and requirements may vary among jurisdictions.

The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards has a website section dedicated to this topic that may also be of assistance: https://www.asppb.net/page/covid19

Keeping in Touch:

CPBC email updates and the COVID-19 updates webpage are offered to registrants as a means of keeping registrants informed on a timely basis regarding the practice of psychology during the pandemic. Comments received via the feedback@collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca email continue to be appreciated, as are the thoughtful comments expressed.

Registered psychologists have been recognized for their contribution to the pandemic response by the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and many others, and the College is proud and appreciative of the high standard of services the profession has provided in difficult and novel circumstances. We again take the time to make a friendly reminder about the importance of self-care during these challenging times.

Please accept my best wishes for your good health on behalf of the College Board and staff.

Dr. Andrea Kowaz, Registrar