As the new President of the College, I am mindful of the privilege it is to be in this position. I anticipate that my first year will be a busy one as the College pursues multiple initiatives. As I work to fulfill the demands of the role, I have quickly learned the benefits of being surrounded by a competent and supportive team of individuals including our Registrar, Dr. Rick Morris, the Deputy Registrar, Mr. Barry Gang, College staff and fellow members of Council and Committees. The College is always responding and adapting to change as Council and staff work to fulfill our public protection mandate. Working for positive change will remain a priority and I believe we will have a collaborative and productive year together.
I heard a quote by Etienne de Grellet (1773-1855) voiced by a family member, a friend, a colleague and a client in the past month. He wrote the now popular quote hundreds of years ago, yet its sentiment is valued to this day. “I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now”. It was a reminder for me as an individual, a Psychologist and as President, to capture life’s moments; to be mindfully aware of who is in front of me; and make choices to be kind and act for good in my interactions with others.
I am impressed by how you, the College membership, have captured the moment and found ways to “do good” in just such a manner over the many months that we have been burdened by COVID-19 related illness and restrictions. In the face of uncertainty and change you have worked to fulfill the ethical mandate of doing good, avoiding harm and being aware of and sensitive to the needs of those you interact with. You have pivoted to provide psychological services in new ways; developing new competencies in the process and meeting growing public needs for mental health support.
The College can also consider this moment in time and any “good” it can do as it interacts with its membership and the public it serves. This is the legacy of Dr. Barbara Wand who passed away on July 13, 2021. Her considerable achievements as Registrar of the Ontario Board of Examiners in Psychology (later the College) for 15 years and chair of the CPA Task Force on Women (1975-76) contributed to the “elevation of the regulation of psychology” and the status of women in the profession of psychology provincially and nationally. Today, our College can continue this work of change via focusing on the tenets of equity, diversity and inclusion and collaboration with Behaviour Analysts as we expand our regulatory oversight.
I am impressed by how you, the College membership, have captured the moment and found ways to “do good”
The College can also consider this moment in time and any “good” it can do as it interacts with its membership and the public it serves. This is the legacy of Dr. Barbara Wand who passed away on July 13, 2021. Her considerable achievements as Registrar of the Ontario Board of Examiners in Psychology (later the College) for 15 years and chair of the CPA Task Force on Women (1975-76) contributed to the “elevation of the regulation of psychology” and the status of women in the profession of psychology provincially and nationally. Today, our College can continue this work of change via focusing on the tenets of equity, diversity and inclusion and collaboration with Behaviour Analysts as we expand our regulatory oversight.
Preparatory work for the expansion of the College to include regulation of Behaviour Analysts as a separate and distinct profession is beginning. This follows from news in June, that the Advancing Oversight and Planning in Ontario’s Health System Act, 2021 passed third reading in the Legislative Assembly and received Royal Assent from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario with Schedule 4 of the Act, the Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act, 2021 applying to our College when it is proclaimed.
I anticipate that many College initiatives will be topics of interest in the next year, so I encourage you to stay informed as the College makes efforts to ensure this is possible. Review this online publication of HeadLines. Explore the interactive College website. Watch on-line streaming of Council meetings on the College’s YouTube channel. Monitor for College email updates. And, sign up for social media posts through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Electronically based College updates can provide useful practice guidance and contacting the College’s Practice Advice Service with practice questions that arise as you seek to “do good” is always an option.
So, as I start this year as President, I trust that each of you will join me in the goal to mindfully pause and see what good we can do.
I wish you all the opportunity to give and receive kindness in the days ahead.
Wanda Towers, Ph.D., C.Psych.
President