UPEI announces two key appointments to the new Doctor of Psychology program

The University of Prince Edward Island is excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Stephen Butler and Dr. Raquel Hoersting to key leadership positions in the Department of Psychology’s new Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program. 

 

The four-year PsyD program, which is currently under development, will train clinical psychologists to address the mental health needs of individuals, couples, families, and broader communities and populations by combining course work, research, and clinical practice in the community.

 

Dr. Stephen Butler will be the director of training and will be responsible for all aspects of the new program, including curriculum development, the hiring of faculty, preparation of accreditation materials, and student recruitment.

 

Dr. Raquel Hoersting will be the associate director of clinical experience. She will have a leadership role in the design of the program, the establishment of working relationships with community partners and stakeholders, and development and implementation of the new psychology clinic, which will serve as an important training facility for PsyD students.

 

“We are incredibly fortunate to have recruited two outstanding faculty who bring an extensive list of academic, research, and teaching expertise to UPEI,” said President and Vice-chancellor, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “Our PsyD program is designed to respond to the challenges associated with access to mental health services. The collective experience of both Dr. Butler and Dr. Hoersting will be incredibly valuable in the final development and implementation of the program.”

 

The program stemmed from consultation with experts in clinical psychology and mental health services from across North America. The program will meet standards for accreditation by the Canadian Psychological Association and provides a new pathway for strong UPEI undergraduate students and others from across Canada and around the world.

 

“These two positions will be key contributors in supporting, shaping, and launching our new PsyD program,” said Dr. Jason Doiron, chair of the Psychology department. “It is exciting for the Department of Psychology to see our vision taking shape for this unique program.”

 

“The new PsyD program is history in the making for the Faculty of Arts; this is the very first doctoral program in our faculty,” said Dr. Neb Kujundzic, dean of the Faculty of Arts at UPEI. “We are very excited to welcome Dr. Butler and Dr. Hoersting to our community of scholars and educators.”

 

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.