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Site Name: BC Children's Hospital

Department: Department of Psychology

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Department : Department of Psychology

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1826
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: BC Children's Hospital
Department: Department of Psychology
Address: 948 West 28th Ave
Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z4H4
Country: Canada
Metro Area: Vancouver (Surrey, Burnaby)
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 0
Phone: 604-875-2345x5086
Fax: 604-875-3230
Training Director Email: janine.slavec@cw.bc.ca
Co-Training Director Email:
Web Address: http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/hospital-services/psychology
Brochure Website's Address: http://www.bcchildrens.ca/careers/train-with-us/clinical-psychology-internship
Primary Agency Type: Child/Adolescent Psychiatric or Pediatrics
Additional Agency Types:
  • Academic Health Center
  • Child/Adolescent Psychiatric or Pediatrics
  • Psychology Department
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Not Accredited
CPA Accreditation Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Janine Slavec
Chief Psychologist: Katharine Thomson
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 5
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 48
Position Information
Start Date: 09/02/2026
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 3
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 62000
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 00000
Fringe Benefits: Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Additional fringe benefits include the opportunity for ample continuing education received on site, during the internship, as well as time being given to attend relevant continuing education off site. Additionally, we work collaboratively with residents to negotiate time needed to attend their dissertation defenses, if applicable.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site A typical work day may involve individual treatment sessions, assessment sessions, a group therapy session, a didactic and supervision session- either, all or most likely, some combination of these. We are a breadth based program, where you will have exposure working in pediatrics, mental health and with patients who have developmental disabilities. It is a highly enriching experience overall, with a primary goal being to provide exceptional training. Our hospital is a tertiary academic teaching hospital, where you will also have the experience of working within diverse and stimulating multi-disciplinary teams. You also have the opportunity to supervise junior trainees and be a part of a strong training team (inclusive of practicum students and fellows).
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? Yes
Doctoral Psychology Practicum StudentsYes
Masters Psychology Practicum StudentsNo
Do Psychology Interns/Postdocs Have the Opportunity to Supervise Practicum Students?Yes
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/01/2025 11:59 PM EST
Interview notification date: 12/05/2025
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

Applicants will be notified whether or not they have been short-listed for an interview by email. Interviews generally take place in January. All interviews are conducted virtually (Zoom, MS Teams) with the Clinical Lead and a member of the Training Committee. In-person interviews can be arranged if desired. Interview format (i.e., virtual vs. in-person) does not impact applicant standing in any way. 

Interviews are typically one hour to 90 minutes in length, with the ability to contact a current resident (intern) by phone or virtually. A separate (individual) interview may be held with the training director at a later time. Once the match has been completed, an in person visit, prior to the beginning of their residency,may be arranged but is not mandatory, nor expected.
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: In the last five years, we have matched with the following programs: City University of New York, Concordia University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Simon Fraser University, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Guelph, University of Ottawa, University of Victoria, University of Waterloo
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: No
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: Yes
Masters Degree Required: Yes, by application deadline
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by application deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 150
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 150
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Does your program require applicants to submit supplemental materials (i.e., an assessment report and/or a case/treatment summary): No
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Not Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements: Please see our website for details regarding the on-line APPI. Preference is given to Canadian applicants, all else being equal, but U.S. citizens who would qualify for a work/student visa will be considered. As a condition of employment, the provincial government requires a criminal records check prior to commencing employment. While residents are not required to be vaccinated for COVID-19, all employees are required to submit their vaccine status for hospital records.
Program Description

The mission of our internship is to provide exceptional clinical, ethical and professional training to enable interns to become highly competent, caring clinical psychologists. At the conclusion of internship, interns/residents will be able to function in complex, interdisciplinary healthcare settings.

Internship spans BC Children’s & Women’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children. BC Children’s is a tertiary care facility and the main referral centre for children from birth to 19 with complex medical problems from throughout BC and the Yukon.  Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children is a major provincial resource providing specialized services to children with developmental disabilities and/or rehabilitative needs.

Throughout their time in internship, interns will receive training in psychological assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of children and youth with a wide range of acute and chronic medical and mental health conditions, through a lens of cultural safety. There is a strong emphasis on specialized assessment skills across the developmental spectrum and on short-term therapeutic interventions. Our program ensures that all trainees obtain a broad base of skills, so that they are prepared to practice with a diverse range of ages and presentations, in a variety of settings. Training considerations take precedence over the demands of service delivery. Rotations are chosen collaboratively with the DoT and intern as they fit the residents' interests, goals, gaps in training, and appropriateness for their level of expertise, experience, and skills.

In addition to the emphasis on strengthening clinical skills and knowledge and evidence-based care, the program pays considerable attention to each patient’s cultural identity, including historical and sociological contexts and the role of psychology and colonial practices in healthcare. Our program strives to reduce barriers for Indigenous youth and families, practicing cultural safety, and promotion of ongoing learning around Indigenous ways of knowing and culturally-sensitive care.

The department pursues an integrated mix of clinical services, training and teaching, research, and community partnerships.  We offer a wide range of diagnostic services and consultations with care teams in the hospital and community. We conduct regular seminars on difficult ethical and patient related issues and attend a wide range of rounds and presentations available in the hospital. A goal of internship is formation of professional identity, developing collaborative relationships with hospital and community caregivers, and accessing/contributing to scientific literature.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children: Yes
Adolescents: Yes
Adults:
Family: Yes
Older Adults:
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
LGBTQ+: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking: Yes
Deaf/Hearing-impaired: Yes
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
People without housing:
Other: Mandarin speaking

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy:
Family Therapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Group Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Community Intervention: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Consultation/Liaison: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: Experience (21% to 30%)
Primary Care:
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Supervision of Practicum students : Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Women's Health:
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Physical Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Learning Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Developmental Disabilities: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Assessment: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Adult:
Neuropsychology-Child: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Serious Mental Illness: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology:
Pediatrics: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
School: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Supervision: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Research: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Administration: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - primary:
Integrated health care - specialty: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Other:

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/hospital-services/psychology  for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025 2025-2026
Number of Completed Applications: 50 50 55 50 56 55 57 33 31
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 16 16 16 16 19 12 18 15 21
Total number of interns: 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 2 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 2
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 15 16 15 20 12 15 23 17
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 45 35 45 40 30 50 52 20
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025
Academic teaching:
Community mental health center: 0 0 0
Consortium: 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 3 2 1
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0 0 0
Psychiatric facility: 0 0 0
Correctional facility: 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0
School district/system: 0 0 0
Independent practice setting: 0 0 2
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0 0 0
Link to Program's Trainee Admissions, Support, and Outcome Data:
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