To improve the wellbeing of individuals experiencing psychological difficulties via innovative psychological interventions, specifically focussing on:
1) developing, evaluating, and optimizing innovative psychological interventions and therapeutic processes;
2) enhancing engagement in innovative psychological interventions;
3) facilitating implementation of innovative psychological interventions in routine care
The goals of the Psychology Wellbeing Innovation, Service & Education Lab (Psychology-Wise Lab) are to design, evaluate, and optimize innovative psychological services in routine care by bringing together a collaborative team of researchers, clinicians, students, and community stakeholders; to foster a culture of psychological wellbeing among individuals through engagement and skill development; to promote patient-centered care by transforming mental health services; to train the next generation of researchers and clinicians to perform at the highest levels in developing, evaluating, and disseminating innovative psychological interventions.
The Psychology-Wise Lab focuses on conducting research designed to improve the psychological wellbeing and overall functioning of individuals suffering from clinical and subclinical mental health conditions, often comorbid with medical conditions. Early lab research focussed on how to optimize face-to-face assessment and treatment of mental health conditions among those with and without medical conditions (e.g., assessment and treatment of health anxiety and chronic pain). We also broadly focussed on how to improve face-to-face healthcare delivery processes (e.g., continuity of care, care pathways). The lab's research has evolved over time to focus on improving access to, and optimising the effectiveness of, Internet-delivered interventions as part of routine care. Through these goals we aim to enhance wellbeing of individuals and reduce suffering related to mental health problems. The majority of our research at this time is conducted via the Online Therapy Unit at the University of Regina, a government-funded clinic that supports the development and delivery of therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy throughout Saskatchewan. Visit www.onlinetherapyuser.ca. Other research is conducted via PSPNET, which specifically focuses on internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for public safety personnel.
Broadly, research in the Psychology-Wise Lab aims to address the following areas: Engagement:
Interventions:
Therapeutic Process:
Implementation:
Our studies have explored ways to improve psychological wellbeing for a variety of populations varying in demographic characteristics, including individuals living with:
Our lab has published research using a wide range of methodologies, including:
The Psychology-Wise Lab facilitates training of undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellows. Students have the opportunity to volunteer in the lab and may also be employed through research grants or contracts. Students typically gain experience in both qualitative and quantitative data analysis and prospective and retrospective studies.
The Psychology-WISE Lab supports the research conducted in the Online Therapy Unit as well as PSPNET at the University of Regina and collaborates with researchers within the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Work, and Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy. The lab is also affiliated with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. Furthermore, we conduct collaborative research with other researchers in Canada and with international research institutions located in Australia, Sweden, and other countries around the world.
Students in the lab hold a variety of national and local scholarships. Research in the Psychology-Wise Lab is currently supported by a grant entitled "Advancing Mental Health Care by Improving the Delivery of Therapist-guided, Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Clinical Practice" awarded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in 2017 ($971,552 over four years). We are particularly proud of this grant as out of 2887 applications, only 475 applications were funded. Our grant was rated 2nd out of the 99 applications in its cluster with a final rating score of 91.13!
The Psychology-Wise Lab is located in College West at University of Regina in space that was developed with funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation Leaders Opportunity Fund.