Urgent Call for Inclusion in Canadian Psychology Profession
UPDATE: A groundbreaking paper has just been released, urging immediate action for greater inclusion in the Canadian psychology profession. The report reveals a severe shortage of racialized psychologists, impacting the mental health care of countless individuals. This urgent call highlights systemic barriers that perpetuate inequity, particularly for clients of color.
Every day, individuals from racialized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), struggle to find psychologists who understand their unique experiences. One poignant example comes from a Black professional woman who, during a personal crisis in Ottawa, Canada, could not find a single Black psychologist. Instead, she was forced to seek help from a therapist hours away in Toronto, illustrating a sobering gap in care.
The new paper, titled “Opening the Gate: A Call for Inclusion and Representation of Peoples of Colour in Canadian Professional Psychology,” identifies critical issues hindering the entry of BIPOC into the field. Out of 481 full-time faculty members, only two were Indigenous and just seven were Black, with many departments lacking any Black faculty altogether. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for change as current faculty serve as mentors and gatekeepers for future generations.
The authors of the paper argue that seemingly neutral policies can be manipulated to maintain the status quo. In their findings, they emphasize the necessity of collecting race-based demographic data to hold institutions accountable. Without measurable standards for equity, well-meaning guidelines can inadvertently allow biases to persist.
For years, the psychology profession in Canada has resisted systematic data collection, creating a fundamental barrier to progress. As stated in the paper, these inequities are “invisible by design.” The authors aim not only to expose the problems but also to provide actionable solutions.
The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) has recently updated its accreditation standards, but the authors warn that without mechanisms for accountability, these changes will fall short. They recommend making race-based data collection a standard practice for university programs to earn and maintain accreditation.
Additionally, the authors propose immediate structural changes, including the amendment of CPA by-laws to create designated voting board seats for representatives from Black, Asian, and Indigenous psychology sections. Currently, the CPA Board is predominantly White, averaging 87.1% White over the past 13 years.
This issue extends beyond academia; it directly affects public trust and the quality of mental health care. Patients benefit significantly when therapists understand their cultural backgrounds and the real-world impacts of racism. The health of communities hinges on a psychology profession that is accessible, representative, and just.
The urgency of this call cannot be overstated. As mental health continues to be a critical issue worldwide, the need for diversity in psychology is imperative. It’s time for the profession to transition from passive statements of support for equity to decisive action that fosters real change.
As the authors conclude, the path forward is clear: we must dismantle the existing barriers and ensure that the psychology profession reflects the diverse society it serves. Immediate action is necessary to establish a more equitable future for mental health care in Canada.
