The Psychology Department at BC Children's Hospital was awarded Best Practicum Site for 2017 and 2021 from the University of British Columbia
The Department of Psychology at BC Children's Hospital offers several formal senior practicum positions. The positions begin in September and are of 10 - 12 months in duration (i.e. ending either in June, or extending through July/August, with a minimum commitment of 10 months).
The end date is flexible due to the high interest of ongoing clinical experiences during the summer months. Applicants should have completed their masters' degree from a CPA accredited program, have some prior, formal experience working with children and youth (supervised by a registered psychologist), and have completed a Child Assessment course. The positions require the commitment of a minimum of two days on site.
Practicum students are welcome to attend and participate in the majority of the training didactic opportunities that are offered to our clinical psychology residents and fellows. For example, our practicum students are invited to attend a two day workshop on play therapy, in addition to seminars on a variety of additional topics such as: 1) Ethics, 2) Assessment, 3) Supervision, 4) Psychopharmacology, 5) Psychosis, and 6) Diversity.
Practicum Positions available for the 2025-2026 academic year include:
General practicum position (1 position available): The position may be individually tailored to the applicant's training needs, and can cover a wide range of interests, inclusive of both: mental health and pediatrics (medical psychology), assessment and intervention, inpatient/outpatient. In addition to clinical variety, the student is exposed to all that an academic medical facility has to offer, with regard to teaching didactics, clinical rounds and seminars/workshops.
Neuropsychiatry (1 position available): An advanced/senior psychology practicum is available in the neuropsychiatry clinic, with a primary focus on evidence-based treatment for children and youth with mental health concerns in the context of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, intellectual disability, and/or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Neuropsychology (1 position available) : Neuropsychology practicum students at BC Children’s Hospital will provide comprehensive evaluations to children with a variety of medical and neurological conditions such as epilepsy (including epilepsy surgery), oncology/hematology, biochemical diseases, transplant, and acquired/traumatic brain injury. The age range of patients is from pre-school through the late teen years. Previous coursework and experience in child assessment is required. The Neuropsychology practicum requires a minimum of 3 days per week (with at least one of those days on a Monday or Thursday).
Teaching and Consultation Clinic (1 position available) : A full-year practicum is available to an individual interested in expanding psychotherapy skills in attachment-oriented treatments for adolescents affected by somatization. Treatments may be offered at the individual, family, or group level. There would be a commitment to be on-site on Tuesdays (with flexibility about scheduling for the second day of practicum).
The practicum placements adhere to the Lower Mainland notification day, and standard application deadlines.
Applications should include:
- A cover letter,
- Two letters of recommendation, and
- CV
Those students applying for the neuropsychology practicum should also include a sample neuropsychology report. All applications can be submitted to:
Dr. Emily Piper
Director of Training, Department of Psychology
British Columbia's Children's Hospital
950 West 28th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4
epiper@cw.bc.ca
(604) 875-2793
