Nominee Statement for Dr. Deanne C. Simms seeking the Director Representing Practice
I am honored to put my name forward for the position of Director Representing Practice on the Board of the Canadian Psychological Association. I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of New Brunswick (2011) and have been a licensed Clinical Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario since 2011. I was also previously registered with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (2013–2019).
I currently serve as President and CEO of ThriveSpace Health and Wellness in Toronto, Ontario, a practice I founded in 2016. ThriveSpace provides specialized evidence-based psychological services to individuals, leaders, teams, and corporations. This dual focus on direct clinical service and systems-level consultation has given me a unique vantage point on the challenges and opportunities facing practitioners today.
My career reflects a deep commitment to both clinical excellence, innovation, and health systems leadership. As Clinical Director and Provincial Clinical Lead for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program at the Canadian Mental Health Association–York South Simcoe (2019–2022), I oversaw clinical operations for provincial mental health resources including Bounce Back Ontario and Clinician Assisted Bibliotherapy. In this role, I communicated outcomes to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the Mental Health Centre of Excellence, participated in the Governance Committee of the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program, and drove strategic initiatives alongside executive leadership.
Previously, I served as a Senior Clinical Health Psychologist at CBT Associates (2018–2021) and as a Clinical Psychologist at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax (2013–2018), where I contributed to the design and implement the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Specific Care Clinic for chronically suicidal, self-harming adolescents. Across two provinces, I have led and contributed to provincial and regional mental health program development and implementation efforts, with a strong focus on improving access, quality, and innovation in care delivery.
I bring meaningful experience with the CPA through my previous service as a Member of the CPA Professional Affairs Committee (2017-2020). This experience positions me well to serve as
an effective liaison between the committee and the Board. Prior to this role, I proudly served as a member, and ultimately a Chair of the Hospitals and Health Centres Section of the CPA. I have also valued my involvement as a member of the Black Psychology and Clinical Sections of the CPA, which have provided important opportunities for professional connection, advocacy and mentorship.
Beyond the CPA, I have extensive board and national leadership experience. I previously served as Director and Vice-Chair of Eli's Place, supporting the development of a rural residential treatment centre for young adults with serious mental illness. I currently serve on the Board of Look Good Feel Better Charity, a national charity providing psychosocial supports to Canadians undergoing cancer treatment. In addition, I have been a long-standing member of the EMental Health Collaborative with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, contributing to the development of the National E-Mental Health Strategy for Canada.
I am deeply committed to advancing the profession of psychology in Canada and supporting practitioners in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. I believe my combination of clinical expertise, systems leadership, governance experience, advocacy and longstanding CPA involvement would allow me to contribute meaningfully to the Board and to represent the interests of practitioners with integrity, collaboration, and vision. It would be a privilege to serve in this capacity.
Dr Deanne C. Simms, Ph.D., C. Psych.