When it came time to begin her residency, Yasaman Sadat Madanikia didn’t look for a placement close to home in Vancouver where she’s finishing up a clinical psychology PhD.
Instead, she turned her gaze in the opposite direction to Halifax and the Dalhousie Centre for Psychological Health — a community-based clinic that has helped hundreds of low-income Nova Scotians access psychological services free of charge since opening in 2023.
The provincially funded clinic has served as a training ground for clinical psychology PhD students and residents such as Madanikia, who offer their drive, knowledge and skills to clients in need while finishing their journey to becoming a professional.
“I feel so lucky that I’ve been placed here,” she says. “The supervisors are student-centered and supportive. It’s been fantastic.”
Madanikia, who specializes in trauma therapy, was attracted by the opportunity to round out her skills in emotionally focused counselling, conduct full ADHD assessments, and work with a more diverse range of clients — all of which she’s been able to realize during her time with the Centre.
Other residents like Madanikia and the clients they serve will continue to benefit from the Centre’s services in the years ahead thanks to a new $6.2-million investment by the Province of Nova Scotia made this spring. The Office of Addictions and Mental Health’s new funding includes an extension of the clinical psychology residency program or another two years.
The Honourable Brian Comer, Nova Scotia's Minister of Addictions and Mental Health.
“We’re incredibly proud of the work being done here at the Centre for Psychological Health,” said the Honourable Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, during the funding announcement at the clinic’s home in Halifax’s Fenwick Medical Centre in May. “It’s showing benefits in terms of recruitment and retention for clinicians in the province and expanding access to care for those who otherwise wouldn’t receive it.”
Nurturing talent
To date, 68 clinical psychology, psychiatry, and social work students and residents have trained at the Centre under the supervision of experienced clinicians.
The two-year extension for the residency training program will see four clinical psychology residents continue to rotate through the Centre and Dal Student Health and Wellness, a clinic located nearby on Dalhousie’s Studley Campus in Halifax.
“Making sure that people have a great residency experience in their final years is crucial to developing psychologists who are ready to meet the needs of the communities they’re going to serve,” said Dr. Cheryl Aubie, co-director of training for Dal’s clinical psychology residency program, adding the Canadian Psychological Association recently accredited Dal’s residency program for seven years — the longest length of time possible.
The four Dal-based seats increase Nova Scotia’s total to 18, with residency programs a key recruitment tool. So far, so good: five of the six current and former residents have indicated they will stay and practice in the province.
“When people train here, they make connections here and they’re more likely to stay,” said Dr. Aubie.
Strong foundations
Drs. Shannon Johnson and Alissa Pencer, the Centre’s co-directors, have drawn much praise for the clinic’s success.
“They’re just exceptional professionals, incredibly dedicated, committed people, both to this clinic, to Dalhousie, and the folks that we serve,” said Dalhousie President Kim Brooks in remarks at the funding event this spring. “Thank you for getting us to this place.”
The clinic has established itself as a key provider of psychological assessment and treatment services in Nova Scotia, with nearly 4,000 appointments provided to over 500 low-income clients referred by 34 different community partners across the province.
Dr. Johnson said close to half of the Centre’s clients identify as members of priority populations who often face barriers in accessing psychological services.
“Once clients are through the door, they feel like this is a safe place they want to return to,” she said. “Quality care is just as important to us as access to care.”
Dr. Pencer said the renewed commitment will “allow us to build on strong foundations and deepen our impact of both care and training,” including implementing new tools to track and evaluate client outcomes and student progress.
Youth mental health will also be an increased focus, with new federal support announced in May for a community-based project through the Government of Canada’s Youth Mental Health Fund.
Taking knowledge home
While family ties and a private practice will soon see Madanikia, her husband, infant son, and three cats move back to the West Coast where she immigrated from Iran as a teenager, she leaves enriched by lasting friendships and “all the knowledge I’ve gained here.”
With the end of her residency approaching this August, she looks back with fondness at the experience.
“I would absolutely do it all over again.”