Psynopsis

The Winter 2023 Issue of Psynopsis is focused on extended health insurance coverage of psychological services. As the readership is well aware, psychological services, provided outside of publicly funded institutions like hospitals and schools, are not covered by Canada’s medicare plans. People needing psychological services must either pay out of pocket or rely on extended health insurance plans, typically offered by employers, or covered through other insurance plans such as those associated with motor vehicle or workplace accidents. This issue invites submissions from members that focus on all issues and aspects of extended health insurance coverage including but not limited to:

• Services, needs and gaps when it comes to privately insured psychological care,
• The insured needs of people living with chronic health conditions and disability,
• How to successfully assist clients to manage disability and return to work,
• Working collaboratively with clients, insurers, and employers in the management of illness and disability.

Guest editors: Dr. Sam Mikail Ph.D., C.Psych and Carmen Bellows, R.Psych

Psynopsis is calling for articles on telepsychology. The landscape for telepsychology in Canada changed overnight with the advent of COVID-19. In this issue, we will highlight issues, opportunities, and innovations in telepsychology. We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics related to telepsychology, including the practice of e-mental health, tele-training, tele-supervision, tele-therapy, ethical and practice issues, research-based telepsychology programs and initiatives, e-therapies, web-based interventions, remote testing and assessment, and clinical application of virtual reality.

Psynopsis is seeking articles on substance use health and addictions. Substance use health harms have been increasing, particularly since the onset of COVID-19. This edition will highlight emerging issues, trends, opportunities, and innovations in substance use health and addictions—and the important role of psychology in practice, science and education in the field. We welcome submissions on a wide range of related topics, including: stigma; risk factors and social determinants of health; improved access to care and outcomes; harm reduction; treatment; comorbidities (i.e., chronic pain, mental health conditions); improvements in health policies, systems, digital health and service delivery methods; novel approaches to care, research, and education; health equity, human rights, and social justice; and educational strategies and initiatives.

In April 2023, the CPA released a policy paper on gender affirming health care for trans and gender diverse people: https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Position/Gender%20Diversity%20Report%20EN%202023%20Final.pdf. The fall 2023 issue of Psynopsis will be focused on the psychosocial challenges and resiliency of trans and gender diverse people and their communities. We are inviting articles that address the societal systems and structures that impact health and wellbeing and articles that highlight best practice in gender affirming care for trans and gender diverse people.