Nominee Statement for Kimberly Watson seeking the Director at Large Position
As a psychologist in Ontario, my practice is in clinical, health and rehabilitation psychology. My psychology training from undergraduate through to the Ph.D. was at York University, with a predoctoral internship at Alberta Hospital Edmonton. At the time, I served on association committees related to psychology. Currently I divide my time between my role as Mental Health Psychology Lead at a provincial worker's compensation board, where I provide strategic thought leadership to internal and external stakeholders, and direct clinical services at my small private practice.
Previously, I have worked as a course director, research analyst, supervisor to trainees and College candidates, have provided psychological services in various hospital and community clinics,
In my government position, I have been able to represent the value psychology brings to the workplace mental health and disability recovery spheres, and to advocate for increased mental health literacy to inform decision-making at individual and systems levels. Doing so in partnership and collaboration with other psychologists, health professionals, and leaders in other domains has been particularly rewarding. Feedback indicates I am a compassionate team player, strategic thinker and clear communicator.
It would be my honour to serve as Director-at-Large, and in doing so support CPA's vision for policies and programs that derive from an understanding of human needs, and the mission of evidence-based application of psychology via advocacy, support and collaboration. To do so feels like a natural progression of my current purpose-driven professional activities.