Students in York University’s psychology program will be able to help their peers, while getting hands-on experience, in a new psychology clinic and research centre on campus.
The new clinic, launched Oct. 28, strives to provide members of its community with effective mental health services while simultaneously offering training and experience to students.
Clinic director Louise Hartley said she sees the opening of the clinic as a two-pronged attack against helping students learn despite recent recession-based budget cuts and helping patients find treatment.
“We’re seeing cutbacks everywhere,” Hartley said. “Hospitals are reducing their psychology departments, making it harder for students to get their clinic hours in. Both students and the public have a crucial need for this facility.”
The university said it wants to build upon the psychology department by opening up a new array of courses for its students. In this way, York said it hopes to place itself at the forefront of psychological education in Ontario.
York said it expects its combination of assiduous young minds and state-of-the-art technology can contribute to a deeper understanding of certain mental disorders, including Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism characterized by intense interest in details and limited social skills.
The Counselling Foundation of Canada has pledged $250,000 towards this endeavour.
“It’s good news, to be sure,” said first-year York undergraduate Mark Baluk. “Film is my major, but psychology is my favourite course. . . . If this clinic can help people out that are sick, and maybe raise York’s standing in the realm of psychological teachings, that’s good for everybody.”
The clinic will offer its first group program, Coping with Chronic Pain, Nov.19.