Mount Saint Vincent University has welcomed the first students into a new doctoral program designed to train psychologists who work with children, youth and families.
Eight students make up the first class of the four-year doctor of psychology program in school and child clinical psychology. The university expects to admit another eight students each year.
The program combines academic instruction, clinical experience and a residency. Nova Scotia says it is the first program of its kind in the province.
The Department of Advanced Education is providing $3.7 million to support the academic program. The Office of Addictions and Mental Health is investing another $8.5 million in the development and operation of an affiliated training clinic at the university.
Provincial officials say training psychologists in Nova Scotia could help retain more practitioners and expand access to mental-health care for young people and their families.
The clinic will also give students supervised, hands-on experience while adding capacity to the province’s mental-health system.
