Clinical Psychology Training
The Department of Psychology at BC Children’s Hospital offers training opportunities in clinical psychology, including practicum positions, internship/residency, and post-doctoral fellowships. All positions are based on-site at the 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 2021 and 2024 from the University of British Columbia
We offer four 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.
2025-26 practicum positions
(information on 2026-2027 training opportunities will be posted in fall of 2025)
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 (please note: for applicants applying to more than one position, separate cover letters are required)
- 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
Pre-Doctoral Residency Program
The pre-doctoral internship (referred to as “residency” in the BC Children’s Hospital Psychology Department) provides training in psychological assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of a wide range of acute and chronic medical and mental health conditions. The primary focus is on children and youth, with an emphasis on family-based care. As a breadth-base internship, residents complete rotations in Mental Health, Pediatrics and Developmental Disabilities.
Accreditation
The residency is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association. This pre-doctoral residency is listed with and follows the guidelines of the Association of Psychology Post-Doctoral and Internship Centers in Psychology (APPIC) and the Canadian Council of Professional Psychology Programs (CCPPP).
As of 2025-26, BC Children’s is beginning its 30th year of a continuously operating CPA-accredited psychology residency program on this campus. We have been successfully re-accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association for the maximum (7-year term) as of the 2024-25 academic year.
CPA Accreditation Office
Canadian Psychological Association
141 Laurier Avenue, Ouest/West, #702
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5J3
Tel: 613-237-2144 x 333, 1-800-472-0657 ext.33 (Toll Free in Canada)
Fax: 613-237-1674
Email: smadon@cpa.ca
Website: www.cpa.ca
Applications
The application deadline is November 1, 2025. For more information, please see the BC Children's Hospital Residency Brochure (PDF).
Post-doctoral fellowship
Learning opportunities
There are opportunities for clinical and/or research post-doctoral fellowships both within the Psychology Department and in the Healthy Minds programs at BC Children’s Hospital. Updated opportunities will be posted in fall 2025. Please contact Dr. Slavec for more information.