PRE-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP IN CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY 2015-16

PRE-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP IN
CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
2015-16
For more information, please contact:
Susan Vandermorris, PhD., C. Psych.
Director of Training, Pre-doctoral Internship in Clinical Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health Program
Baycrest
3560 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON M6A 2E1
Telephone: 416-785-2500 x2686
Fax: 416-785-4235
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.baycrest.org/neuropsychology
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 3
TORONTO AND SURROUNDING AREA ................................................................................... 3
BAYCREST ............................................................................................................................... 3
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY & COGNITIVE HEALTH PROGRAM....................................................... 4
OVERVIEW OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ....................................................................... 6
PROGRAM MISSION AND MODEL .......................................................................................... 6
PROGRAM STRUCTURE .......................................................................................................... 6
DIDACTIC EXPERIENCES .......................................................................................................... 7
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................................... 9
INTERN CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRAINING AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE .................................... 9
SALARY AND BENEFITS ......................................................................................................... 10
DIVERSITY AND ACCESSIBILITY............................................................................................. 10
ACCREDITATION ................................................................................................................... 10
DESCRIPTION OF THE ROTATIONS ................................................................................... 11
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT ................................................................................ 11
MEMORY INTERVENTION .................................................................................................... 12
BEHAVIOURAL MANAGEMENT & SUPPORT ........................................................................ 12
CLINICAL REHABILITATION ................................................................................................... 14
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH .................................................................................... 15
PROGRAM FACULTY ........................................................................................................ 16
APPLICATION PROCESS ................................................................................................... 21
APPLICATION MATERIALS AND DEADLINE .......................................................................... 21
SELECTION CRITERIA ............................................................................................................ 21
ACCEPTANCE AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES ................................................................ 22
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INTRODUCTION
TORONTO AND SURROUNDING AREA
Toronto is the capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. There are three universities
(University of Toronto, York University, and Ryerson University), numerous cultural
attractions (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto International Film Festival, live theatre,
Toronto Science Centre, Art Gallery of Ontario), and professional sports teams (the MLB
Blue Jays, the NHL Maple Leafs, the CFL Argonauts, and the NBA Raptors), as well as the
Hockey Hall of Fame. There are abundant water activities available at nearby Lake Ontario,
as well as opportunities for hiking and camping within driving distance from the city and
many bike trails within the city.
BAYCREST
BAYCREST MISSION
Baycrest is an academic health sciences centre that provides an exemplary care experience
for older adults across a variety of institutional and community based settings. We are
devoted to improving the quality of life of older adults everywhere through the integration
and application of exceptional healthcare, wellness promotion, research, and educational
activities. We draw inspiration from the unrivalled support of generations of families within
our community and the ethical and cultural values of our Judaic heritage. Our traditions
compel us to devote ourselves to helping others in need, while pursuing wisdom through
educational attainment and scientific inquiry.
We are dedicated to:

Achieving the highest quality and innovation in client-centered clinical and
residential care and patient safety;

Generating and applying clinical and scientific breakthroughs;

Sharing our expertise nationally and globally, serving as a thought leader and
resource for information to support the health and wellbeing of the older adult
population;

Providing a community of care and learning that encourages creativity and personal
and professional growth for all of our staff, physicians, volunteers, and students;
and,
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
Effectively advocating for an accessible and comprehensive healthcare and
community support system that responds to the diverse needs of older adults.
BAYCREST VISION
We will transform the experience of aging through leading innovations in brain health,
wellness promotion, and approaches to care that enrich the lives of older adults.
ABOUT THE CENTRE
Baycrest provides care and service to approximately 2,500 people a day through the centre,
which includes a unique continuum of care including wellness programs, residential housing,
and outpatient clinics. The Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged is a 372-bed
residential unit providing nursing care. Baycrest Hospital is a 300-bed complex continuing
care hospital facility consisting of clinical programs in Geriatric Assessment and Treatment,
Palliative Care, Rehabilitation Medicine, Behavioural Neurology, and Psychiatry. The
Baycrest Terrace is a 204-unit, adult residential complex. The Wagman Centre is a
community centre for older adults, providing social services and activities to the residents of
the Centre and to the community.
Baycrest’s Research Centre for Aging and the Brain includes the acclaimed Rotman Research
Institute, considered one of the top five brain institutes in the world, and the KuninLunenfeld Applied and Evaluative Research Unit (KLAERU) which supports research focused
on clinical outcomes, client and family experiences and knowledge translation. Through the
Centre for Education on Aging, Baycrest shares expertise and knowledge locally, nationally
and internationally. Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest plays a unique
and important role in training and enlightening future professionals who will have the
responsibility of servicing our aging population. Baycrest has linkages, partnerships and
appointments at other academic centres across the country, continent and beyond.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY & COGNITIVE HEALTH PROGRAM
The Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health program provides clinical services, education
and training and clinical research related to the assessment and treatment of memory and
other cognitive abilities in older adults. The mission of our program is to provide excellence
and leadership in clinical neuropsychological services. Our staff is made up of psychologists,
social workers, administrative support as well as many volunteers and students.
CLINICAL SERVICES
The program provides neuropsychological assessment, intervention, and consultation across
Baycrest programs and to external organizations.
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
Neuropsychological Evaluation Services contribute to the diagnosis of cognitive
disorders and treatment planning.

Neuropsychological intervention is offered to clients with mild to severe cognitive
changes. Specific programs include the following:
o The Memory and Aging Program serves older adults with age-normal memory
changes.
o Learning the Ropes for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) serves clients with
MCI and their family members.
o Memory-Link provides training and support for clients with severe memory
impairment and their family members.
o Neuroperceptual intervention provides cognitive rehabilitation for visual
disorders.
o Training of Executive Attention targets executive and attention deficits
associated with diverse cognitive disorders.

External neuropsychological consultation services are provided to Sunnybrook
Health Sciences Centre and West Park Healthcare Centre (a 774-bed, rehabilitation
centre in Metropolitan Toronto).

Behavioural consultation helps Baycrest teams manage responsive behaviours in
patients with cognitive disorders.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
We offer training opportunities for undergraduate psychology students, graduate practicum
students in social work and psychology, and pre-doctoral neuropsychology interns. We also
provide numerous rounds and seminars for trainees in neuropsychology.
CLINICAL RESEARCH
Our staff members are involved in clinical research investigating cognitive and behavioural
changes that occur with normal aging and age-related cognitive disorders.
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OVERVIEW OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
PROGRAM MISSION AND MODEL
The mission of the Pre-doctoral Internship in Clinical Neuropsychology is to educate, train
and evaluate our interns in order to support achievement of competence in evidence-based,
clinical neuropsychological practice and research. Our mission is accomplished through a
model of training that consists of the following components: (1) staged and sequential
development of clinical skills throughout the internship; (2) acquisition of critical thinking
skills to evaluate evidence applicable to clinical practice; (3) integration of research into
practice by development of skills in outcome measurement; (4) mentorship by faculty to
foster the interns’ professional development.
We value and model the close integration of care, research and education in all professional
activities. We strive to provide our interns with the knowledge of current, best-practice in
provision of neuropsychological services, exposure to evidence-based research in clinical
neuropsychological practice and the opportunity to develop skills in intervention for
cognitive disorders. We aim to equip our interns with the core skills and competencies
involved in delivery of neuropsychological services including professional consultation,
assessment, diagnosis, intervention, clinical research and providing useful information to
our clients.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
All interns complete two 6-month rotations (2.5 days/week) and one 12-month rotation (11.5 days/week). Neuropsychological Assessment is required as one of the 6-month
rotations. Memory Intervention is required as the 12-month rotation. Interns may choose
one of three elective rotations for the other 6 months: (a) Behavioural Support and
Management, (b) Clinical Rehabilitation, or (c) Neuropsychological Research. The specific
program will be jointly determined by the intern and internship director at the time of
acceptance to the program. Didactic sessions run from September through June. Two
hypothetical rotation configurations are laid out below. Detailed descriptions of the
rotations and seminars are provided beginning on page 11.
Sample Rotation:
Fall/Winter (September-February)
 Neuropsychological Assessment: 2.5 days per week (one to two assessment cases)
 Memory Intervention: 1-1.5 days/week (may include one group session of either the
Memory and Aging Program or the Learning the ROPES for Mild Cognitive
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

Impairment Program and one to three individual memory training sessions with
Memory Link program clients)
Didactics: 3+ hours per week (Behavioural Neurology Rounds, Neuropsychology
Seminar/Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology Rounds, Psychology Speaker Series,
optional rounds of interns’ choice)
Supervision: 4 hours per week (one hour may be group supervision)
Spring/Summer (March-August)
 Clinical Rehabilitation: ~2.5 days/week (Training of Executive Attention program at
Baycrest, Psychotherapy at West Park)
 Memory Intervention: as above
 3+ hours of didactics: as above
 4 hours of supervision: as above
Sample weekly schedule (fall/winter):
Morning
Afternoon
Monday
Neuropsych.
Assessment
(one case,
intern may
also be
involved with
a second
case on
Tuesday)
Tuesday
Supervision
Report writing
Wednesday
Behavioral
Neurology
Rounds
Thursday
Memory and
Aging Program
group session
Memory
Disorders
Clinic Rounds
Report Writing
Memory Link
client session
Supervision
Friday
Psychology
Speaker Series
Supervision
Neuropsych.
feedback
session
Memory Link
client session
Group
supervision
Neuropsych.
Seminar or
EvidenceBased Practice
in Psychology
Seminar
DIDACTIC EXPERIENCES
Interns are introduced to specific topic areas by clinical and research seminars and by
inpatient rounds. In addition to mandatory attendance at the core seminars, there are also
opportunities to attend research seminars, grand rounds, medical rounds, and lectures by
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visiting scientists and clinicians at both Baycrest and other hospitals, according to individual
interests and relevance to ongoing rotations.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY SEMINAR (CORE)
This is a weekly didactic lecture series that is required for all interns and open to the
hospital community. Presentations focus on core topics in the practice of clinical
neuropsychology (e.g., interviewing, scoring and test interpretation, making diagnoses,
providing feedback, intervention and rehabilitation, neuroanatomy, neuroimaging,
neurologic examination, ethics and professional issues). Each intern is expected to give at
least one presentation during the year focused on a neuropsychological disorder. Typically,
the didactic talk regarding the disorder is supplemented by a case presentation of a patient
the intern has seen during the neuropsychological assessment rotation.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN PSYCHOLOGY SEMINAR (CORE)
This is a monthly meeting that is required for all interns and open to the hospital
community. The purpose of this seminar series is to familiarize the participants with the
methods and procedures of evidence-based practice. Topics include evaluation of the
clinical utility of diagnostic tests, evaluation of clinical studies and trials, evaluation of risks
and benefits of treatments and program evaluation. Participants will learn how to formulate
clinically relevant questions from clinical cases, search the literature for evidence and
critically evaluate the evidence. Participants are expected to choose a clinical topic, develop
a clinical question and lead a discussion of the relevant clinical evidence that answers the
question.
PSYCHOLOGY SPEAKER SERIES (CORE)
This is a monthly meeting that is required for interns and open to the hospital community.
Speakers give didactic presentations on research topics relevant to neuropsychology. Each
intern is expected to give at least one presentation during the year. In the past, this has
typically been a presentation of the intern's own dissertation research.
BEHAVIOURAL NEUROLOGY ROUNDS (CORE)
These weekly rounds are required for all interns and consist of city-wide case based
presentations on persons with neurological problems, often with a focus on differential
diagnosis. Target audience is neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, or others that
see persons with neurological problems.
BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORT ROUNDS (OPTIONAL)
These weekly rounds focus on assessment and interventions for behavioural and
psychological symptoms of dementia (BSPD). Target audience is front line staff at long-term
care, hospital, and community settings.
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ROTMAN RESEARCH ROUNDS (OPTIONAL)
This is a weekly seminar that focuses on cognitive neuroscience research. Speakers include
postdoctoral fellows and faculty from the Rotman Research Institute and prominent visiting
scientists from the around the world. Attendance at these talks is optional, and strongly
recommended for interns interested in an academic career.
PSYCHIATRY GRAND ROUNDS (OPTIONAL)
These weekly rounds focus on issues relevant to (primarily geriatric) psychiatry, and may be
clinical or research-based. Speakers include both in-house faculty and invited guests from
other institutions.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
All our faculty are engaged in clinical research which is both informed by and informs
scientific research in cognition and neuropsychology. There are many opportunities for
interns to engage in supervised clinical research relevant to their training experiences and
interests. During the internship year, interns are required to carry out at least one
individualized supervised research project, typically within the context of one of their
rotations. Specific objectives for the project are determined individually and collaboratively
with the supervising staff member. Examples of possible projects include: a detailed case
study of a client evaluated on the neuropsychological assessment rotation, program
evaluation of one of the group interventions, systematic reviews or meta-analyses of clinical
topics, or development of cognitive tests.
INTERN CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRAINING AND WORK-LIFE
BALANCE
Interns are key contributors to the program and have regular opportunity to shape their
experience. They are members of a standing training committee focused on the functional
structure of the internship (e.g., rotation content and scheduling, interns’ evaluations of the
internship, work-life balance and time-management, activities related to accreditation,
preparation for applicant interviews and applicant evaluations). The program values interns’
contributions and has a history of making changes in response to intern feedback. To
highlight a recent example of this, we have taken a number of steps to promote work-life
balance in our trainees. This includes reducing caseload expectations in the
Neuropsychological Assessment rotation, consolidating our weekly Neuropsychology
Seminar with our monthly Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology Seminar to increase
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interns’ scheduling flexibility, and dedicating time within this Seminar series and our
Training Committee meetings to ongoing discussion and monitoring of this important issue.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Funding is provided for full-time interns at the rate of $28,500 per annum. Benefits include
10 paid vacation days per year in addition to paid statutory holidays. Interns are allotted 5
days for conference attendance or professional time. Registration at the annual Rotman
Research Institute conference in March will also be covered.
DIVERSITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
The Pre-doctoral Internship in Clinical Neuropsychology at Baycrest is committed to
employment equity, welcomes diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from
all qualified individuals, including members of visible minorities, aboriginal persons, and
persons with disabilities.
Baycrest complies with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. As such, we offer an accessible
workplace, including office space, washrooms, dining facilities, parking, and equipment, for
both clients and interns with disabilities. The Director of Training will be happy to provide
additional information to interns with specific questions about access and accommodations
at Baycrest and West Park.
ACCREDITATION
The program has been accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association in clinical
neuropsychology since 2008-09. A site visit for re-accreditation was completed in 2013-14. A
decision on this application will be made at the next CPA Accreditation Panel meeting,
October 17-19, 2014. Information regarding accreditation status can be obtained from the
CPA Accreditation Office at:
Office of Accreditation, Canadian Psychological Association
141 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 702
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5J3
Dr. Melissa Tiessen, Director, Education Directorate & Registrar, Accreditation
888-472-0657 (613-237-2144), ext. 333, [email protected]
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DESCRIPTION OF THE ROTATIONS
All interns complete two 6-month rotations and one 12-month rotation. For all rotations,
the specific responsibilities will be established collaboratively with the intern’s supervisor,
based on the core program requirements and the intern’s personal training goals.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
6-month REQUIRED rotation, 2.5 days per week
Interns will carry out supervised neuropsychological assessment of individuals presenting
with a range of conditions such as neurodegenerative disease, stroke, trauma, psychiatric
disorders, and systemic disease. The intern will train to interview patients and review their
medical history in order to develop a differential diagnosis or provide a functional
assessment pertaining to discharge planning. A primary focus of outpatient
neuropsychological services at Baycrest is on differential diagnosis of dementia, such as
Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontal lobe degeneration or frontal-temporal
dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other forms of dementia. Occasionally, patients are
referred for other reasons, including evaluation of head injury, attention-deficit disorder,
and learning disabilities. Neuropsychological services at West Park Healthcare Centre
predominantly offer assessment to inpatients with stroke, head injury, anoxic brain injury,
tumor, hydrocephalus, alcohol-related syndromes, various dementia syndromes and brain
abscess.
Interns will learn to administer a battery of standardized tests of memory, cognition,
attention, language, sensation, perception, praxis, visuospatial ability, motor skills, and
mood. The intern is expected to score the tests given, summarize the results, and report
behavioural observations made during testing. Initially, the supervisor will conduct the
clinical interview, but the intern will do so as the rotation progresses. Interns will prepare
written reports based on the assessments (following discussion of the results with the
supervisor), including delineation of cognitive strengths and weaknesses, diagnosis of
cognitive impairment, and recommendations regarding further assessment or treatment.
They will participate in multidisciplinary team meetings where information from several
health professions is shared to develop treatment plans for clients (e.g., the Memory Clinic
team includes representatives from Neurology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work,
Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Pathology). Interns will also provide
information about the assessment results to patients and their families in feedback sessions.
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MEMORY INTERVENTION
12-month REQUIRED rotation, 1-1.5 days per week
In this rotation, interns engage in memory intervention activities involving the entire range
of memory dysfunction, from mild changes associated with normal aging and mild cognitive
impairment to severe memory impairment (amnesia) secondary to neurological dysfunction.
The intern will learn to integrate neuropsychological findings in order to develop and
implement individualized and group memory interventions and to coordinate case
management. The approach of this rotation is to apply findings from basic research to
problems of day-to-day memory functioning.
Interns will conduct in-depth assessments of memory and other cognitive abilities, provide
group and individual education, develop and implement evidence-based memory
interventions, and provide clients and families with feedback. These services are provided
within three contexts: (a) the Memory and Aging Program: an education and intervention
program for older adults who are experiencing normal age-related memory changes. (b)
Learning the ROPES for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): a group program focused on
optimizing cognitive health through lifestyle choices, memory training, and psychosocial
support in older adults with MCI and close family members/friends, and (c) Memory-Link, a
clinical evaluation and treatment service provided to adults with moderate to severe
memory problems and their family members/friends. Specific memory interventions include
both internal memory strategies (e.g., associations and spaced repetition) and external
memory aids (e.g., smartphones). A unique aspect of this rotation is the opportunity to
contribute to the development and evaluation of novel memory interventions.
The types of clients receiving these services include healthy older adults and older adults
with mild cognitive impairment, and adults (20 to 85+) with traumatic brain injury,
encephalitis, cardiovascular accidents, and other neurological disorders. The majority of
clients in the Memory and Aging Program are self-referred. Patients with memory
impairments are referred from Behavioural Neurology, Memory Clinic, Geriatric Assessment
Clinic, and Community Outreach programs at Baycrest. Referrals are also received from the
neurology departments of other hospitals and from community general physicians.
BEHAVIOURAL MANAGEMENT & SUPPORT
6-month elective rotation, 2.5 days per week
The cognitive decline that is a defining characteristic of dementia syndromes results in
progressive inability to handle the demands of everyday life and contributes to the
development of behavioural disturbances (e.g., physical aggression, delusions, inappropriate
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vocalizations, inappropriate voiding, sleep disturbance). These behavioural disturbances are
often the reason that caregivers seek treatment as they challenge the knowledge, skills,
creativity, and coping resources of formal and informal caregivers. Challenging behaviours
are a major risk factor for caregiver distress, and are extremely disruptive in an institutional
setting. The successful management of challenging behaviours can result in an improved
quality of life for cognitively impaired individuals (e.g., they have new opportunities to take
part in social programming and may experience less conflict with other residents) and may
improve the safety of other residents and caregivers.
The Behavioural Management and Support rotation will provide the intern with the
opportunity to gain experience in the management of challenging behaviours. Clients seen
will include inpatients on the Behavioural Neurology Unit (BNU) and the transitional
Behavioural Support Unit (BSU). Baycrest’s inpatient Behavioural Neurology Unit is a 20-bed
hospital unit that specializes in assessment and treatment of behavioural disturbances due
to neurological disorders. The Behavioural Support Unit is a 23-bed unit in Baycrest’s Apotex
centre, a long term care setting, that also provides specialized transitional behaviour
support for resident’s with behavioural disturbances due to neurological disorders. Both
teams provide a multidisciplinary service composed of neurology (BNU only), psychiatry,
general medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, speech language
pathology, physiotherapy, dietary, and recreational therapy.
In order to develop a behavioural management plan of a particular client’s behaviour, the
intern will collect information about the person’s history in order to gain an appreciation of
details of the history that could be incorporated into the management protocol (e.g.,
preferences, likes, hobbies); cognitively assess the client, if appropriate; conduct interviews
with staff on all shifts in order to gain a better understanding of the nature of the
challenging behaviour, monitor the collection of data aimed at identifying what might be
triggering (the antecedents) and maintaining (the consequences) the challenging behaviour;
in collaboration with staff, develop a management plan that details the specific intervention
that is to be applied; evaluating and documenting the outcome of treatments; address staff
expectations around the outcome of treatment; and educate the staff, caregivers, and
family about the contribution of the client’s specific cognitive impairments to his/her
challenging behaviour.
Through this rotation, the intern will have exposure to how various neurological disorders
progress in terms of cognition and behaviour, gain experience cognitively testing clients
with behavioural disturbance, and develop an appreciation of the complexities of working as
a part of an interdisciplinary team. Outside of the intern’s involvement with individual
clients, he/she may participate in ongoing behaviour management research projects and/or
educational activities.
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CLINICAL REHABILITATION
6-month elective rotation, 2.5 days per week
The rotation focuses on two separate aspects of rehabilitation: neurorehabilitation and
psychological rehabilitation. The neurorehabilitation component will be served at Baycrest
for 1.5 days per week. In the neurorehabilitation component, the intern will work with
clients who have a variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions (e.g., stroke,
multiple sclerosis, mood disorders) and are experiencing significant difficulty in their day-today function. The intern will draw upon principles of neurorehabilitation to apply a
cognitive-based, training of executive attention (TEA) intervention, to address real-world
problems. The TEA programme is designed to teach participants strategies that they can use
in their daily lives to improve their ability to achieve goals by sustaining their attention and
staying focused, formulating realistic plans, and organizing, prioritizing, and completing
tasks in a timely fashion. When indicated, the intern may also perform cognitive
assessments in order to clearly define clients’ strength and weaknesses in order to tailor the
interventions to meet their abilities and needs.
The second component of this rotation is focused on psychological adjustment to a number
of medical conditions, where the intern will spend one day per week at West Park Hospital.
The intern may work with both adult inpatients and outpatients with a variety of complex
medical conditions: orthopaedic injuries (e.g. hip and knee replacement, trauma),
respiratory diseases (e.g. COPD, TB, pulmonary fibrosis), neurological disorders (e.g. CVA,
aneurysm, head injury, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries), neuromuscular (e.g. muscular
dystrophy, ALS, rheumatoid arthritis), and amputation. In addition, to learning to work with
the physical limitations, interns will have an opportunity to work with patients with
cognitive impairments and speech deficits (including nonverbal patients). Interns will be
involved in conducting brief assessments (chart review, client interview, psychological
testing) to inform treatment planning. Individual treatment is primarily delivered from a
solution focused, logotherapy and or cognitive behavioural perspective, adapted to the
patient population. Common treatment themes involve, but are not limited, to the
following: adjustment to illness and disability; adjustment to institutionalization; and
development of strategies to manage anxiety, depression, panic, and pain. In some cases,
family therapy is provided to assist patient families to cope with the impact of their family
member’s situation on their functioning. Professional consultation in the form of knowledge
dissemination and provision of practical strategies to the healthcare team may also be
provided to assist with the management of challenging patient behaviours.
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NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH
6-month elective rotation, 2.5 days per week
This rotation is intended to provide interns with research experience in clinical
neuropsychology. Ongoing studies involve memory, attention, and lifestyle (exercise,
volunteering) interventions in normal aging, individuals with mild cognitive impairment
(MCI), and individuals with cerebral small vessel disease, as well as research into the effects
of healthy aging and MCI on memory processes. New research in other cognitive domains
and with other client populations may also be feasible. There may also be an opportunity to
conduct detailed single-case designs.
Under supervision, interns will familiarize themselves with the appropriate theoretical and
empirical background, and carry out a focused study. Interns will be expected to conclude
the rotation by writing a report of the study and findings, ideally for publication. Interns are
also expected to attend relevant Rotman rounds during this rotation.
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PROGRAM FACULTY
Representative publications are provided for each faculty member. In some cases,
presentations are listed to give an idea of that faculty member's interests.
SUPERVISING FACULTY
Anderson, Nicole, PhD, C.Psych (University of Toronto, 1997); Senior Scientist at the Rotman
Research Institute. Supervisor of Neuropsychological Research rotation. Research interests
focus on cognitive aging (in healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment), memory
processes, memory rehabilitation, and functional neuroimaging.
Anderson, N. D., Damianakis, T., Kröger, E., Wagner, L., Dawson, D., Binns, M.,
Bernstein, S., Caspi, E., Cook, S., & the BRAVO Team. (in press). The protective
benefits of volunteering against functional decline and dementia: A critical review
and recommendations for future research. Psychological Bulletin.
Anderson, N. D., Murphy, K. J., & Troyer, A. K. (2012). Living with mild cognitive
impairment: A guide to maximizing brain health and reducing dementia risk. Oxford
University Press.
Jankey, Sharon, PhD, C.Psych (York University 1998); Staff Psychologist at West Park
Healthcare Centre; Supervisor of Clinical Rehabilitation rotation. Primary clinical interests
are the assessment and treatment of medical patients. Primary research interests are the
adjustment of persons and their families to chronic illness, disability, and residing in
complex continuing care.
Jankey, S.G. (in press). Psychological considerations in pulmonary rehabilitation. In L.
Pradan & V. Postalache. A practical guide to pulmonary rehabilitation.
Jankey, S.G. & Dooner, C. (2008) Psychological aspects and interventions. In N.
Ambrosino & R. Goldstein. Ventilatory support for chronic respiratory failure. New
York, NY: Informica Healthcare.
Jovanovski, Diana, PhD, C.Psych (University of Toronto, 2010). Staff Psychologist at West
Park Healthcare Centre; Supervisor of Neuropsychological Assessment rotation. Primary
clinical interests include neuropsychological assessment, rehabilitation, and discharge
planning with various patient populations including stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain
tumours, tuberculosis, epilepsy, and other clinical diagnoses; primary research interests
include the ecologically oriented evaluation of executive function in various patient
populations; the neuropsychological sequelae of various illicit drug users including cocaine
16
and MDMA; and cognitive rehabilitation techniques targeted at executive dysfunction and
memory impairment.
Jovanovski, D., Zakzanis, K., Campbell, Z., Erb, S., & Nussbaum, D. (2012).
Development of a novel, ecologically oriented virtual reality measure of executive
function: The Multitasking in the City Test. Applied Neuropsychology, 19, 171-182.
Jovanovski, D., Zakzanis, K., Ruttan, L., Campbell, Z., Erb, S., & Nussbaum, D. (2012).
Ecologically valid assessment of executive dysfunction using a novel virtual reality
task in patients with acquired brain injury. Applied Neuropsychology, 19, 207-220.
Murphy, Kelly J., PhD, C.Psych (University of Western Ontario, 1996); Supervisor, Memory
Intervention rotation (Learning the Ropes for Mild Cognitive Impairment program). Primary
clinical and research interests focus on cognitive changes and memory intervention in mild
cognitive impairment. Other research interests include executive and higher order visual
functions in clinical and normal aging populations.
Murphy, K. J., & Troyer, A. K. (2012). Recognizing dementia can be tricky. Journal of
Current Clinical Care, 3, 6-13.
Anderson, N. D., Murphy, K. J., & Troyer, A. K. (2012). Living with mild cognitive
impairment: A guide to maximizing brain health and reducing dementia risk. Oxford
University Press.
Rewilak, Dmytro, PhD, C.Psych. (University of Alberta, 1983); Supervisor of Clinical
Rehabilitation rotation. Clinical interests include cognitive changes in depression,
rehabilitation of executive dysfunction, and behavioural and emotional disturbances
associated with brain pathology.
Cusimano, M.D., Rewilak, D., Stuss, D.T., Barrera-Martinez, J.C., Salehi, F. &
Freedman M. (2011). Normal pressure hydrocephalus: Is there a genetic
predisposition? Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 38, 274-81.
Scalco, M.Z., Streiner, D.L., Rewilak, D., Castel, S., & Van Reekum, R. (2009). Smell
test predicts performance on delayed recall memory test in elderly with depression.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24, 376-381.
Ray, Colleen A., PhD, C.Psych. (University of Arizona, 2009); Supervisor of Behavioural
Management & Support Rotation. Primary focus involves interventions to ameliorate
behavioral and emotional challenges associated with neurological disorders.
Cohen-Mansfield, J. & Ray, C. (2014) Whose responsibility is it to make life worth living?
International Psychogeriatrics, 26 (08), 1231-1233.
17
Feldman, S. & Ray, C. A. (2013, October). Non-Pharmacological Approaches for the
Management of Responsive Behaviours/BPSD. Two workshops presented at the Ontario
Long Term Care Physicians 2013 Conference, Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre
Hotel, Toronto, Ontario.
Rowe, Gillian, PhD, C.Psych (University of Toronto, 2009); Supervisor of Memory
Intervention rotation (Learning the Ropes for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Memory-Link
programs). Primary interests include cognitive changes with aging.
Biss, R., Hasher, L., Ngo, J., Campbell, K.L., & Rowe, G. (2013). Distraction can reduce
age-related forgetting. Psychological Science. 24, 448-455.
Svoboda, E., Rowe, G., & Murphy, K. (2012). From science to smart-phones: Boosting
memory function one press at a time. Journal of Current Clinical Care, 2, 15-27.
Stokes, Kathryn, PhD, C.Psych (University of Virginia, 1988); Supervisor of
Neuropsychological Assessment rotation. Runs outpatient clinical neuropsychology services
and is involved in student training. Primary research interests are hormones and cognition,
and spatial processing in Alzheimer's disease.
Westmacott, R., Freedman, M., Black, S. E., Stokes, K. A., & Moscovitch, M. (2004).
Temporally graded semantic memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease: Cross-sectional and
longitudinal studies. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 21, 353-378.
Siegenthaler, A.L., Stokes,K. A., Park, N. W., & Chow, T.W. (2004, Aug.). Cognitive
decline, Gerstmann’s syndrome, and apraxia in a case of Corticobasal Ganglionic
Degeneration (CBGD). Poster presented at the 28th International Congress of
Psychology, Beijing, China.
Svoboda, Eva, PhD., C.Psych. (University of Toronto, 2006); Supervisor of Memory
Intervention rotation (Memory-Link program). Primary clinical interests include
neuropsychological assessment of subacute acquired brain injuries and cognitive recovery,
and memory rehabilitation in amnesia. Research interests focus on the assessment and
neuroimaging of autobiographical memory and the development and evaluation of memory
interventions in amnesia.
Svoboda, E., Richards, B., Leach, L., & Mertens, V. (2012). PDA and smartphone use by
individuals with moderate-to-severe memory impairment: Application of a theorydriven training programme. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 22, 408-427.
Svoboda, E., Richards, B., Polsinelli, A. & Guger, S. (2010). A theory-driven training
program in the use of emerging commercial technology: Application to an adolescent
with severe memory impairment. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 20, 562-586.
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Vandermorris, Susan, PhD, C.Psych (University of Victoria, 2009); Director of Training,
Supervisor of the Memory Intervention rotation (Memory and Aging Program). Primary
clinical interests are neuropsychological assessment and intervention in older adult
populations; Primary research interests are cognitive aging, within-person variability,
relationship of neuropsychological assessment to everyday functioning.
Vandermorris, S., Sheldon, S., Winocur, G., & Moscovitch, M. (2013). Differential
contributions of executive and episodic memory functions to problem solving in
younger and older adults. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society,
19(10), 1087-1096.
Vandermorris, S., Murphy, K.M., & Troyer, A.K. (2013). Age-related elevations in
intraindividual variability on associative memory tasks. Aging, Neuropsychology and
Cognition, 20(6), 722-34.
OTHER PROGRAM CONTRIBUTORS
Brickman, Ruth, MSW, RSW (University of Toronto, 1993). Social worker in the Memory-Link
program (part of Memory Intervention rotation). Practices within a multi-disciplinary team
to provide psychosocial support to Memory-Link program clients and their families. This
includes individual counselling, facilitation of psychoeducational support groups, and
assistance for clients in accessing a variety of resources in their communities
Climans, Renee, MSW, RSW. Social worker in the Learning the Ropes for MCI program (part
of Memory Intervention rotation). Practices within a multi-disciplinary team to provide
psychosocial support to program clients and their families. This includes individual, couples
and family counselling, facilitation of psychoeducational support groups, and assistance for
clients in accessing a variety of resources in their communities.
Leach, Larry, PhD, C.Psych (Arizona State University, 1977); Primary clinical and research
interests are assessment of dementia, attention and perceptual disorders, recovery of
function, and remediation of attention and memory disorders.
Leach, L. (2013). The Kaplan-Baycrest Neurocognitive Assessment. In L. Ashendorf
(Ed.), The Boston Approach to Neuropsychological Assessment (pp. 271-299). New
York: Oxford.
Monette, M.C.E., & Leach, L., (2013). Discrimination of the cognitive profiles of MCI
and depression using the KBNA. Canadian Journal of Neurological Science, 40, 670677.
19
Moscovitch, Morris, PhD, C.Psych (University of Pennsylvania, 1972); Research focuses on
cognition and memory with particular emphasis on the neural mechanisms mediating
explicit and implicit memory, face recognition, and attention.
Lee Y., Anaki D., Grady C.L. & Moscovitch M. 2012. Neural correlates of temporal
integration in face recognition: An fMRI study. NeuroImage, 61, 1287-1299.
Winocur G. & Moscovitch M. 2011. Memory Transformation and Systems
Consolidation. Journal of International Neuropsychological Society, 17, 766-780.
Rivest, Josée, PhD, C.Psych (Harvard University, 1993); Provides clinical services to patients
presenting with visual-perceptual difficulties. Clinical and research interests focus on higher
order visual behaviours (in particular, shape perception, object and face recognition, and
attention) as they relate to brain damage and aging.
Rivest, J., Moscovitch, M., & Black, S. (2009). A comparative case study of face
recognition: The contribution of configural and part-based recognition systems, and
their interaction. Neuropsychologia, 47, 2798-2811.
Tse, P. U., Rivest, J., Intriligator, J., & Cavanagh, P. (2004). Attention and the
subjective expansion of time. Perception & Psychophysics, 66(7), 1171-1189.
Troyer, Angela K., PhD, C.Psych (University of Victoria, 1994); Program Director of
Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health Program; Professional Practice Chief of Psychology;
Primary clinical interest is neuropsychological evaluation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
and dementia, and memory intervention in normal aging and MCI. Research interests focus
on memory changes in normal aging, MCI, and dementia; effectiveness of memory
interventions; and relationship between executive functions and memory.
Wiegand, M. A., Troyer, A. K., Gojmerac, C., & Murphy, K. J. (2013). Facilitating
change in health-related behaviours and intentions: A randomized controlled trial of
a multidimensional memory program for older adults. Aging and Mental Health.
DOI:10.1080/13607863.2013.789000.
Troyer, A. K., Murphy, K. J., Anderson, N. D., Craik, F. I. M., Moscovitch, M., Maione,
A., & Gao, F. (2012). Associative recognition in mild cognitive impairment:
Relationship to hippocampal volume and apolipoprotein E. Neuropsychologia, 50,
3721-3728.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION MATERIALS AND DEADLINE

Prospective interns must complete the APPIC Application for Psychology Internship
(AAPI), which can be obtained from the website http://www.appic.org/.

In your cover letter, please include a statement of your career goals and a
description of your training goals for the internship year, including identification of
which available rotations best align with your goals.

Your complete, online application must be uploaded to the APPIC website by 11:59
P.M. EST, November 3, 2014.

For further information, you may reach Dr. Vandermorris by phone at (416) 7852500 x2686, by e-mail at [email protected], or by mail at the following
address:
Susan Vandermorris, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health Program
Baycrest, 3560 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario M6A 2E1 CANADA
SELECTION CRITERIA
Prospective interns must meet the following requirements:

doctoral dissertation proposal submitted (prior to application),

graduate-level coursework complete (prior to the match),

a minimum of 600 hours of supervised practicum experiences including psychological
assessment and psychotherapy or intervention completed prior to the start of
internship, including at least 300 hours of direct client contact and 150 hours of
supervision.
Graduate coursework must include core scientific knowledge in general psychology,
neurosciences (neuroanatomy, cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology), and a thesis
project in neuropsychology. Preference is given to applicants from CPA or APA accredited
clinical psychology programs, but applicants from non-accredited programs that include
equivalent training will be considered. (Note: students from non-accredited programs
should provide sufficient documentation to demonstrate program equivalence, including
certification from the director of clinical psychology that the training is equivalent to
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approved programs.) We encourage interns to complete as much of their dissertation prior
to the start of internship as possible. Completion of their oral defence prior to internship
would be ideal, but at a minimum, data collection should be completed prior to beginning
the internship.
There will be a maximum of two interns enrolled in the internship program each year. These
two will be selected via the National Matching Service in accordance with APPIC regulations.
This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility
will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.
ACCEPTANCE AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
In selecting interns, the Baycrest Pre-doctoral Internship in Clinical Neuropsychology follows
the Association of Psychology and Postdoctoral Internship Centres (APPIC) voluntary
guidelines. Applicants, agencies, and programs are urged to report any violations of these
guidelines to the Chairperson, APPIC Executive Committee.
We will participate in APPIC’s computer matching procedure, the National Matching Service
for year 2015-16. The APPIC site code number for our internship program is 1837.
The details of the acceptance and notification procedures can be found on the APPIC
website: http://www.appic.org. We will also be happy to address your questions or
concerns directly (write to [email protected]) or during your interview at our
site (if you are short-listed).
We will contact students who match to our program after 11:00 on Match Day. A letter
confirming internship positions to students who are matched with us will be sent within 3
working days, which will allow time for our Human Resources department to approve the
letter of offer. Any offer from Baycrest is contingent upon the applicant not having made a
prior commitment and is subject to the sending institution signing an Affiliation Agreement
in respect of the sending institution’s responsibilities for the student. A copy of the
Affiliation Agreement is available from Baycrest upon request.
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