Clinical Psychology Training
The Psychology Department offers training opportunities in clinical psychology, including practicum positions, internship/residency, and post-doctoral fellowships. All positions are based on-site at BC Children's Hospital or Sunny Hill Health Centre.
Senior practicum positions
The Psychology Department at BC Children's Hospital was awarded Best Practicum Site for 2017 and 2021 from the University of British Columbia.
We offer several formal senior practicum positions. The positions begin in September and last for 10-12 months. They either end in June, or extend through July/August. The minimum commitment is 10 months. The end date is flexible due to the high interest in ongoing clinical experiences during the summer months.
Applicants should have:
- Completed their masters' degree from a CPA-accredited program
- Some prior formal experience working with children and youth (supervised by a registered psychologist)
- Completed a child assessment course
Students must commit to a minimum of two days on site.
Practicum students are welcome to attend and participate in the majority of the training didactic opportunities that we offer to our clinical psychology residents and fellows. For example, we invite our practicum students to attend a two-day workshop on play therapy, in addition to seminars on a variety of additional topics such as ethics, assessment, supervision, psychopharmacology, psychosis and diversity.
2025-26 practicum positions
General practicum position (one available)
We can tailor the position to the applicant's training needs and cover a wide range of interests, including mental health and pediatrics (medical psychology); assessment and intervention; and inpatient/outpatient. In addition to clinical variety, we expose the student to all that an academic medical facility has to offer, such as teaching didactics, clinical rounds and seminars/workshops.
Neuropsychiatry (one available)
An advanced/senior psychology practicum is available in the neuropsychiatry clinic. The primary focus is 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 (one 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.
Patients range from pre-school age through the late teen years. We require previous coursework and experience in child assessment. The neuropsychology practicum requires a minimum of three days per week, with at least one of those days on a Monday or Thursday.
Teaching and Consultation Clinic (one available)
A full-year practicum is available to an individual interested in expanding psychotherapy skills in attachment-oriented treatments for adolescents affected by somatization. We may offer treatments at the individual, family or group level. Students must commit to be on-site on Tuesdays, with flexibility about scheduling for the second day of practicum.
Applications
The practicum placements adhere to the Lower Mainland notification day, and standard application deadlines.
Applications should include:
- Cover letter
- Two letters of recommendation
- CV
Students applying for the neuropsychology practicum should also include a sample neuropsychology report. Submit all applications to:
Dr. Janine Slavec
Director of Training
Department of Psychology
BC Children's Hospital
950 West 28th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 4H4
Email: janine.slavec@cw.bc.ca
Phone: 604-875-2345 x 5086