Psychology in Newfoundland and Labrador

February is Psychology Month in Canada.  An initiative sponsored by the Canadian Psychological Association that began in 2005, the goal of Psychology Month is to generate grassroots activities that will raise Canadians’ awareness of the role psychology plays in their lives and in their communities.  Psychology Month encourages all members of the psychology profession to connect with their communities and show them the value and benefits of their work.

2021 has been a year of unprecedented stress and mental health challenges, resulting in many more people identifying their struggles, and reaching out for assistance, but often not sure where to turn.  For 2021 APNL is hoping to clarify What Is a Psychologist and what role we can play within the mental health system.

Psychologists are trained to understand how people think, feel, and behave.  Psychologists can help people to understand, explain and change their feelings, thinking, and behaviour. The title “Psychologist” is protected and can only be used in NL by someone registered with the Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board (NLPB).  All Registered Psychologists in NL must be registered by the NLPB.  In our province, there are currently 222 Registered Psychologists working in the NL and approximately 18,000 in Canada

Psychologists work in hospitals, community mental health and addictions centres, schools, universities, the corrections system, community services, and in private practice providing health-related, evidence-based interventions for issues such as eating disorders, sleep concerns, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other long-term chronic health conditions.   As well, they are the only licensed professionals trained in the assessment and diagnosis of Learning Disorders.