2025 CPA Student Section Elections

Interests in Position First, I am aspiring to become a Licensed Psychologist, and have been pursuing this dream since 2017. I am deeply interested in cognitive processes and neurological states (—or, rather, dispositional traits—) that are fundamental to the constructs of creativity, generativity (Erikson, 1950, 1963), and Openness-to-experience (Costa & McCrae, 1985, 1992). I strive to have a meaningful career and go on to make contributions within the developments of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). Second, I thrive in roles that allow me to demonstrate leadership. I enjoy taking the lead and supporting others in any way I can; and, furthermore, attunement to others’ needs is very important to me. It would be a capstone to my career developments to hold this position of Chair-Elect for the Student Section. 🙂 Applicant Qualities First, I am a devoted worker and deeply-caring young woman; that is, I am very attentive to detail and can gracefully work "on-my-feet" when needed. I am a natural-born leader and markedly high in psychosocial agility; that is, I thrive in work that allows me to support the development of other people, especially within administrative and organizational fields. Second, I attended my first CPA convention in 2023 (84th annual convention; Toronto, ON), and loved volunteering to help guests at the Student Booth. In the following year, I had an amazing time at the 85th CPA convention (Ottawa, ON) running Snapshot Presentations. I am registered for the upcoming 86th CPA convention in St. Johns (NL), and excitedly look forward to attending each CPA convention in the future. In closing, I love being a part of the CPA and becoming more involved, and I would flourish in the executive role of Chair-Elect. Thank you for your consideration! 🙂

Academic Activities  Thesis in Quantitative Psychology. Applied Modelling and Quantitative Methods, Master of Science (MSc); Trent University, September 2023 — August 2025 (in-progress). Highlights. Studies in Advanced Psychometrics & Test Validation (AMOD 5310H; 96%), Special Topics in Personality Assessment (AMOD 5320H; 96%), Foundations in Modelling (AMOD 5210H; 93%), Applications in Advanced Seminar, Part I (AMOD 5901H; in-progress) and II (AMOD 5902H; Summer 2025). Honours in Philosophy and Psychology. Double-major Bachelor of Science (BScH), Trent University, September 2017 — May 2023 (awarded). Highlights. Completed split-thesis (i.e., PSYC 4010Y and PHIL 4900Y; 93% cumulative average). Studies in Advanced Statistics (PSYC 3015Y; 95%), Psychopathology (PSYC 4310H; 93%), Advanced Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3300H; 92%), Drugs & Behaviour (PSYC 3240H; 92%), Psychometrics (PSYC 4111H; 91%), Early Modern Philosophy, Part I (PHIL 3420H; 91%) and Part II (PHIL 3430H; 90%), and Logic & Language (PHIL 4410H; 90%). Precocial Excellence. First- and second-year undergraduate studies in Symbolic Logic (COIS-PHIL 2410H; 96%), Human Anatomy (BIOL 1050H; 91%), Philosophy of Mind (PHIL-PSYC 2270H; 91%), Brain & Behaviour (PSYC 2200H; 91%), Intro Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 2300H; 90%), and Intro Social Psychology (PSYC 2700H; 90%).2 Academic Goals  First, I have long-term interests in emotional empathy and related empathic capacities; for example, I have written a number of prestigious works on dynamics between generativity (Erikson, 1950) and alexithymia (Sifneos, 1973). My supervisor and I conduct quantitative research projects with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20; Bagby et al., 1994) and the Toronto Empathy Scale (TEQ; Spreng et al., 2009). Second, I am also interested in broader concepts of Clinical and Applied Psychology: (1) Metacognition and outcomes in life; (2) Resilience and stress-responses; and (3) Self-determination and Longevity or Mortality. Personal Interests  Briefly, I am a skilled guitarist and singer, with training in Classical Music Theory from childhood. I would love to elaborate more in a remote meeting (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams)! 🙂 Thank you for your consideration! 🙂

I am writing to express my interest in the Chair-Elect position for the CPA Section for Students. As a dedicated psychology student and practitioner, I am deeply committed to advancing student engagement, mentorship, and research dissemination within our field. My experience as a registered psychotherapist, clinic director, an active cohort representative in my master’s program, and a student member of the CPA has reinforced my passion for fostering student success and enhancing professional development opportunities. With a strong foundation in psychodynamic psychotherapy, neuropsychology, and academic leadership, I am well-positioned to contribute to the CPA Student Section. Through my experience directing a private practice, I have developed organizational, leadership, and mentorship skills that would be invaluable in coordinating CPA’s Student Mentorship Program, Travel & Best Poster Awards, and Psynopsis student submissions. Moreover, my experience serving on the Nominations and Elections Committee of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) starting in April of this year will give me further insights into governance, student advocacy, and policy implementation, which I believe would significantly enrich my contributions as Chair-Elect. If provided the opportunity, I plan to enhance student engagement initiatives, improve mentorship networks, and cultivate a more integrated student-professional community within CPA. I look forward to the possibility of serving in this capacity and furthering the mission of CPA’s Student Section.  Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Adnan Zoubi, MA, RP

Adnan Zoubi is a Registered Psychotherapist, Clinic Director, and dedicated psychology student, currently completing a Master of Psychology in Clinical and Counselling Psychology and working towards a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at Adler Graduate Professional School. With a strong academic foundation in forensic psychology, counselling psychology, and neuropsychology, Adnan has actively engaged in research, mentorship, and clinical practice throughout his academic journey. His clinical expertise lies in psychodynamic psychotherapy and neuropsychological integration in therapy. He is the founder and director of the Centre for Psychodynamic Insights, where he provides psychotherapy services while advocating for culturally responsive and evidence-based care. Beyond his clinical work, Adnan is deeply invested in student leadership and professional development. He is a student member of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), Ontario Psychological Association (OPA), and the elected representative of his cohort at Adler Graduate Professional School. His appointment at the Nominations and Elections Committee at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) will further his understanding of governance and student advocacy. Adnan’s academic goals include pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and contributing to the advancement of psychodynamic and neuropsychological research by introducing a therapeutic model that integrates this through his current work in his major research paper and future dissertation. Outside of academia, he enjoys music, traveling, reading, and engaging in philosophical discussions. His commitment to student mentorship and professional development makes him an ideal candidate for Chair-Elect of CPA’s Section for Students.

As an openly queer South-Asian women in academia, I am writing to express my intent to apply for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Executive position in hopes of using my personal lived experiences as well as my diverse qualifications to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment within the psychology community. Throughout my academic and volunteer work, I have gained invaluable experience in advancing EDI initiatives. For example, as the President of the Racialized Students’ Collective at the University of Toronto, I have experience in not only carrying out various student-led initiatives aimed at fostering community but also working hand in hand with institutional organizations to promote equitable representation at all levels by bridging the gap between students and faculty. Beyond leadership, my research contributions—including the Beyond Bullying Project and the Women’s Right to Risk initiative—have deepened my understanding of how discrimination, marginalization, and identity shape lived experiences. These projects have allowed me to develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities of discrimination, marginalization, and identity; un understanding that will guide my work within the JEDI Executive position. As someone who is acutely aware of the historical and colonial exclusion of marginalized voices in academic spaces, my goal of holding this position is to promote diversity and inclusion by leveraging my position to uplift the unique experiences of BIPOC and queer student researchers and clinicians. With my background in research, leadership, and advocacy, I am eager to help coordinate and develop initiatives that foster an environment where historically excluded students feel valued and supported. I bring strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a deep commitment to anti-oppressive programming, and I look forward to contributing to meaningful, systemic change within the CPA.

I am a joint Master’s and PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo, specializing in the experiences of BIPOC and Queer populations. I completed my Honors Bachelor of Science while concurrently specializing in psychological research and majoring in criminology, focusing on the victimization of Black and Indigenous Peoples within the Canadian justice system. As such, my academic journey has been shaped by a strong commitment to justice and equity, particularly as my research focuses on addressing disparities in mental health and examining how systems of privilege and oppression impact marginalized communities. Originally intending to pursue law and policy reform, I discovered my passion for advocacy through leadership roles such as serving as President of the Woodsworth Racialized Students’ Collective and mentoring BIPOC high school students in the Summer Psychology Research Initiative (SPRINT). My time spent on academic and justice initiatives reinforced my trust in and commitment towards working within institutional systems to promote equity in a way that is not only supportive but also culturally responsive and empowering. Beyond academia, I am actively engaged in advocacy and community work, including serving as a crisis line responder. I recognize that BIPOC and Queer individuals frequently encounter systemic barriers to mental health care, and providing accessible and immediate support through these roles have only further strengthened my resolve to dismantle these inequities. As both a researcher and a clinician-in-training, I see firsthand how psychology often fails to equitably serve marginalized populations due to limited representation in research and practice. My professional goal is to challenge epistemic injustice by advocating for genuine diversity and inclusion across all levels of institutional power. I believe that diverse perspectives are essential to advancing meaningful knowledge, and I am committed to ensuring that historically excluded voices are centered in psychological research, training, and practice.

Growing up as a Chinese-Canadian, I felt like conversations surrounding mental health advocacy were practically unheard of in my community. Often discouraged from pursuing psychology as a career, my awareness of the lack of representation and safe spaces for marginalized individuals in this field only grew. Psychology was not only stigmatized in my culture – it was often inaccessible, leaving people like me on the outside looking in. Attending graduate school for psychology has always been my dream, and now that I’m here, I started wondering: What’s next? Beyond my studies and research in school and child psychology, I always felt there was a need for something more. I am deeply drawn to the opportunity to serve as CPA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity (JEDI) executive for this reason. In this role, I aim to advocate for anti-oppressive practices, take tangible action by fostering inclusive programming, and create a space where marginalized voices can be amplified and heard. I’ve had much experience with EDI work, including research assistant roles on conference- published projects, writing manuscripts, planning events, editing podcast series, and volunteering in diverse communities. I hold strong interpersonal and leadership skills and am passionate about advocacy for minority groups, equipping me to excel in this position. I thrive in both collaborative and independent settings, and my ability to stay organized and manage my time efficiently ensures I can take on this role well. Through this position, I am eager to drive meaningful change beyond my studies – not only within the Chinese-Canadian community but across other marginalized groups. I want to help dismantle barriers, create safe and inclusive spaces, and push for lasting, systemic change. I believe I am ready to take on this responsibility and would be honored to contribute to a more socially just and equitable future in the field of psychology.

Laurie He is a first-year Master’s student in the School and Applied Child Psychology program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Neurophysiology with a minor in Psychology from McMaster University, where she was actively involved in various mental health clubs and initiatives.

Her current research focuses on child language brokering in newcomer families, using arts-based engagement ethnography as her primary methodology. Passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion, she approaches psychology with a social justice orientation. She currently works as a research assistant and coordinator at UBC’s Psychological Services and Training Centre. She loves working with children of all ages and aspires to complete her PhD in the same program. Outside of her studies and work, you can find her at the gym, exploring new cafés and restaurants, or spending time with friends.

I am applying for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Executive position because my journey as both an advocate and researcher has fueled my commitment to empowering marginalized communities within psychology. As the first-born child in an immigrant family from India, I navigated the tension between my family’s values and the expectations of Western society. This experience deepened my passion for advocacy as I learned how systems profoundly influence individuals’ lives, from their self-concepts to their access to opportunities and spaces. My work with children, particularly neurodivergent populations, reignited this passion as I recognized the systemic barriers they faced in accessing services. Through my academic and personal experiences, I’ve learned that psychological practices and research must be culturally responsive. My research on disordered eating within a community sample reinforced my belief that empirical work must reflect the realities of the communities it serves. I approach all aspects of becoming a psychologist with one main goal in mind: honouring lived experiences and amplifying marginalized voices. I am drawn to the JEDI Executive position because I believe in the power of inclusive, community-driven programming that respects and addresses the diverse needs of individuals. As a JEDI Executive, I will use my experience in research coordination, publication, and volunteer facilitation to develop impactful resources that promote inclusivity and equity. I am dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes the voices of marginalized communities, ensuring that individuals not only have access but feel supported in their journey. It would be a privilege to contribute to making psychology a more equitable, supportive, and accessible space where all individuals are seen, heard, and valued.

I am pursuing a Master’s in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), driven by a passion for understanding and supporting marginalized populations. My research, funded by the Canadian Graduate Scholarship, focuses on the experiences of autistic adolescents transitioning into early adulthood. The goal of my work is to amplify their voices and address the unique challenges they face. This aligns with my belief that psychology should be a tool for inclusivity and social justice, reflecting the lived experiences of the individuals it serves. My academic journey has been shaped by a commitment to advancing mental health care for diverse groups. I have provided behavioural support to neurodivergent children and assisted individuals in recovery from eating disorders. These experiences have offered me a multifaceted understanding of the complex needs of diverse populations, informing my academic goal of developing interventions and resources that foster equity. Outside of academia, I am deeply dedicated to social advocacy. For me, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are not mere concepts but calls to action, recognizing that these values require ongoing work. I consistently reflect on my positionality and strive to empower those around me. I hope to build a career centred on advocacy, advancing the causes I believe in. By applying for the JEDI Executive role, I seek to gain leadership skills that will allow me to continue my advocacy work and practice self-reflection. I do not apply for this role thinking I have all the answers but with a sense of humility and curiosity. I view this as an opportunity to immerse myself in a community of like-minded individuals committed to continuous learning. I am excited to contribute to positive change through research and practice that promotes accessibility, inclusivity, and justice in mental health and education systems.

I am pleased to put forward my candidacy for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion position with the CPA’s Student Section Executive team. I am a first year Master’s student pursuing a degree in Health Psychology at the University of British Columbia on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are essential to advancing the field of psychology by ensuring that diverse perspectives shape our research, practice, and policies. This position provides an opportunity to create meaningful, tangible change by providing resources, materials, and opportunities for learning to students at various stages of their psychological training. My own positionality as a Black woman and first-generation student combined with my project management skills position me well to support making a lasting impact on JEDI initiatives within the CPA. I have personally benefited from mentors and resources supporting underrepresented groups throughout my undergraduate and graduate degree. I understand the value of having access to resources and mentors who promote an atmosphere of inclusion. Issues of equity stand at the core of my academic work and personal ethos. For this reason, I have recently joined my department's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion consulting team. The Canadian Psychological Association has a longstanding history of supporting equity initiatives, and there is always more to be done. I hope to contribute to upholding this tradition of excellence for the next two years. If elected to the Executive committee, I will work to create initiatives that reflect the needs of our student members and the broader community. I hope to earn your trust and your support to drive meaningful change in Psychology.

Hello, reader, my name is Marisa and I am a first-year MA student in the Health Psychology program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, where I also completed my BA. My MA research is broad, though all of my work is focused on the social determinants of health, with a particular emphasis on gender, housing, and socioeconomic status. I have recently completed a project exploring how social networks and group dynamics affect our well-being. For the past several years, I have been coordinating a CIHR-funded longitudinal study on hormonal contraceptive use and depression in adolescents and most recently I am exploring the role of housing environments and financial stress in relation to health and well-being. I have extensive experience leading teams and collaborating with others in both academic and non- academic roles. I love working with data and I run a monthly data visualization club to get undergraduates excited about data and coding. After the completion of my Master’s degree I plan to continue this work through my PhD where I hope to pursue policy work alongside a career in academia. I remain inspired by the importance of translating research and knowledge into tangible change, ensuring that the work we do in academic settings continues to address meaningful, real-world issues. I look forward to contributing to the development of policies that address societal needs while continuing my academic pursuits. Outside of work, you can find me foraging for coffee and bubble tea, solving puzzles, or volunteering in the community.

Please consider this a letter of interest in the position of undergraduate student affairs, as indicated by the email received on the 8th of March 2025. My work experience, training, and education combines to make me a suitable candidate for this position. The undergraduate student affairs officer is responsible for the recruiting, onboarding, supporting, and reporting of undergraduate representatives. Over the course of the last fifteen plus years I have honed the interpersonal and clerical skills necessary for professional services. I achieved these skills working for reputable global organizations (such as Microsoft), and for other organizations directly serving the community; all the while maintaining a positive image of the organizations I represented. My calm, patient, professional demeanour has led to repeat success, along with the positive spirits of the teams I work in. In addition to these things, my experience as a campus representative provides me with useful insight into the student executive and responsibilities of an undergraduate representative. These things are reflected in my CV. I look forward to speaking with you.

If there is one word to describe me, it is dedicated. To my friends, family, community, and myself. As a firm believer in keeping promises and achieving goals, effort is key. Together we achieve remarkable things, individually and collectively.

Academically, I strive to earn a bachelor’s specialization in psychology with honours, replete with clinical chemistry, biology, physiology, and law courses. My intention is to graduate cum laude with a grade average above 80%. In the long term I intend to apply to both the master’s and doctoral streams in psychology, as well as a related doctorate in naturopathy (ND). My area of focus includes psychometry, psychotherapy, and health sciences.

For the above purposes I have been saving most of my extra income and investing shrewdly for nine years. The money is just a means to an end. What I really want is to bring compassionate, quality care to others, and to hasten aid by contributing to reduced wait times.

With these things in mind, volunteering is part of my schedule. Preferably, I work four days a week and volunteer one. I have a long history of aiding causes that benefit the community or nation at large. Whether it be fundraising, manual labour, presentations, demonstrations, customer service, administration, first aid, or crisis intervention. I do not shy from the hard tasks, because they equal the success of children’s skating events, marathons, food banks, schools, and other public events and institutions. Lastly, my personal interests include reading, hiking, kayaking, guitar, amateur radio, and carving ornate walking sticks. When it comes to television, I prefer comedy and drama. Musically, I enjoy anything with a catchy beat, but prefer duads. Simply, I have diverse interests and friendships, with a keen interest in those things in life which bring happiness and passion.

As a dedicated third-year student at Dalhousie University, I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with hopes of adding a French minor. While I initially began my studies in Biochemistry, my passion for Psychology led me to change course last year, I am now working towards graduating with honours in 2027. From a young age, I have been deeply intuitive about understanding people's emotions, often listening to and giving any advice to my peers’ hardships. My personal experience with a counselor at the age of seven helped solidify my commitment to pursuing a career as a Counselor or Psychologist. This realization, paired with my genuine desire to support others, has shaped my academic and professional journey. During high school, I was honored to receive academic distinction, maintaining a grade average above 95%. Additionally, I was elected as the Graduate Council President, where I played a key role in organizing events, promoting initiatives, and even presenting an award during my graduation ceremony. These experiences strengthened my leadership and communication skills, further preparing me for future responsibilities. At Dalhousie, I have consistently earned a spot on the Dean’s List and am actively involved in initiatives that reflect my passion for inclusion and personal growth. As a member of Best Buddies, I have the privilege of forming meaningful relationships with individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am also an Events Coordinator for Play4All where our goal is to bring sports to all-income children. With the responsibility of Events Coordinator, I am given the opportunity to schedule activities and coordinate with various representatives via email to secure spaces for these events. Overall, with my deep commitment to helping others, I am excited to continue my personal and professional growth, while contributing meaningfully to any role I undertake.

I am a first year PhD student in the Department of Psychological Clinical Science at the University of Toronto Scarborough. My research interests concern the stigmatization of mental health conditions, and particularly conducting research to better understand the existence of stigma in various settings (community and mental health care), as well as to explore pathways to reduce the experience of internalized stigma. My dissertation project will include three studies that aim to (1) examine the existence of stigma towards borderline personality disorder in allied mental health professionals, trainees, and nurses in the emergency department; (2) determine the impact of public versus private mental health service use on stigma experiences for people living with BPD; and (3) test the effectiveness of a novel anti-stigma intervention in reducing self-stigma in people with BPD. After the completion of my doctoral degree, I hope to obtain a position as a postdoctoral fellow that will facilitate the development of my research program and equip me with the skills to become an associate professor. I am also currently completing a practicum placement at the Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences, wherein I am receiving specialized training in first-line psychological treatments for obsessive-compulsive and related spectrum disorders. This experience has been an invaluable learning opportunity that has allowed  me to enhance my skills as a clinician. Outside of my research and clinical work, I spend my timevolunteering for organizations in which I can support and inspire individuals affected by cancer.Engaging in this work is very important and meaningful to me and I am very fortunate to haveopportunities in which I am able to make a lasting impact on the lives of those who have beentouched by cancer. I am also an avid “foodie” and enjoy trying out new restaurants in Toronto.