University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia offers a one-year Forensic Psychiatry Training Program that is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. The goal of our training program is to produce a generalist in forensic psychiatry with the skills to teach, consult, assess and manage referrals in criminal, correctional, and civil forensic psychiatry matters.
The first six months of the program encompass core training in criminal matters related to adult forensic psychiatry. The remaining six months of training is comprised of rotations in civil forensic psychiatry, youth forensic psychiatry, and correctional psychiatry. Forensic research is available as a selective training option.
The core training site for criminal forensic psychiatry is the 190-bed Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Port Coquitlam and the six regional forensic outpatient clinics. The youth forensic psychiatry rotation is at an Inpatient Assessment Unit, outpatient clinic and Youth Custody Centre in Burnaby. The civil forensic psychiatry rotation training sites are in Vancouver at St. Paul’s Hospital and in a private forensic practice office. The correctional psychiatry rotation training site with the Correctional Service of Canada is at the Pacific Institution/Regional Treatment Centre in Abbotsford.
Additional funding will be provided for core risk assessment training courses including the PCL-R and HCR-20 and to attend the AAPL Forensic Psychiatry Review Course.
**Applicants must have completed a Canadian Psychiatry Residency Training Program and be eligible for an independent practice license through the College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia; other Applicants who qualify for educational licenses will be considered if they have external funding available.
University of Saskatchewan – Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
The University of Saskatchewan offers a one-year Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry that is fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The principal site of training is located in Saskatoon at the Regional Psychiatric Centre. Training is also undertaken at Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford. The Fellow will also have involvement with the Saskatchewan Review Board and forensic outpatient assessments.
The Forensic Division is an important part of Saskatchewan’s mental healthcare system, which provides both inpatient and outpatient services. The division promotes clinical care, education, research, and advocacy for forensic mental health patients. The Division consists of members from Correctional Services Canada, the Department of Adult Psychiatry, the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the Faculty of Law, Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford, and private practice.
Saskatoon is a vibrant, active and culturally rich city of over 325,000 people. In Saskatoon residents will enjoy working alongside the scenic South Saskatchewan River, which provides breathtaking views as it flows through the city. For more information on the city of Saskatoon, please visit www.tourismsaskatoon.com.
Western University, Western University
This subspecialty training program/fellowship is specifically designed to train exceptional academic forensic psychiatrists.
Our training program teaches the pragmatic skills of performing evaluations in all of the major areas of criminal and civil forensic psychiatry. Specific focus will be given to topics such as: detecting malingering; developing high level skills in psycho-legal report writing and expert testimony aimed at providing comprehensive evidence-based information to courts and other agencies; performing complex risk assessments in a variety of cases and settings; learning how to administer forensic risk assessments and diagnostic instruments typically performed by forensic psychologists; developing the foundations necessary to build a rewarding and successful forensic practice and academic career; and developing critical thinking skills and complex reasoning in arriving at opinions.
Since the service requirement is less than four days each week, subspecialty residents will have the opportunity and time to: participate in research, teach, supervise trainees, and engage in independent study. A particular strength of the program is the individualized academic mentorship provided that will ensure trainees develop the skills required to maximize their effectiveness at teaching and evidence-based practice.
University of Alberta, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Forensic Psychiatry
This is a one-year program designed to provide experience in criminal forensic psychiatry. Fellows will receive training in assessment of fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility, treatment of unfit and not criminally responsible patients as well as the preparation of pre-sentence reports. In addition, fellows will be able to obtain experience in adolescent forensic psychiatry and correctional psychiatry.
McMaster University, Division of Forensic Psychiatry
Two positions in forensic psychiatry are available at this medical school, one of the most innovative in North America. The clinical-academic program, referred to at this Center as a Clinical Scholarship, provides a one year comprehensive experience in all aspects of forensic psychiatry. These include inpatient and outpatient assessments and treatment at a wide variety of settings including forensic maximum, medium and minimum security facilities, detention centers, provincial reformatories and federal penitentiaries. Program staff is active in criminal, civil and juvenile aspects of the subspecialty. There is a formal academic component involving a year-long series of seminars, self-directed reading projects, and the opportunity to be involved in any number of ongoing research projects in the Forensic Program. There is also opportunity for involvement in the department teaching program for interested candidates.
In addition to the two clinical fellowships, there also exists a research fellowship at the Center for Studies of Aggression and Mental Disorder. This has been formed under the auspices of the University and Penetanguishene Mental Health Centre, where internationally renowned researchers are available to supervise a suitably qualified fellow from any academic discipline.
Possession of or eligibility for licensing with the Medical Council of Canada and Royal College of Physicians of Canada, as well as a student visa are required.
* addendum to stipend: Plus opportunity to bill for services when appropriate.
University of Ottawa
With the recognition of Forensic Psychiatry by the Royal College, the University of Ottawa is on the forefront of preparing fellows for a career as a general forensic psychiatrist. As well, we offer opportunities to pursue areas of interest, including sexual behaviours, research, anger disorders, and family Court issues. We have a large number of teaching staff, many of whom are leaders in the field. As well, there are opportunities to train in French and employment opportunities following training.
Fellows will have opportunities in the following areas:
Criminal Responsibility & Fitness to Stand Trial Assessments
– We offer 24 assessment beds on two campuses
– High volume of assessment
– Regular opportunities to testify
Evaluation & Management of Sexual Offenders
– Internationally recognized sexual behaviours clinic
– Research opportunities
– Sexual preference testing
Management of NCR/NGRI acquittees
– We have 78 rehabilitation beds on two campuses
– Significant experience in ORB hearings
Correctional Psychiatry
– 100 bed inpatient facility for seriously mentally ill offenders
– outreach to large local detention centre
Child & Adolescent Forensic Issues, Mental Health Court, Dangerous Offender & Longterm Offender Evaluations, Dysfunctional Anger, Independent Medical Evaluations & Civil law matters, teaching & research
**Applicants must be eligible for an independent practice license through the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario; individuals who qualify for educational licenses will be considered if they have external funding available.
University of Toronto
The Toronto network is centered at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Experience is provided for assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders at all stages of the court process including probation and parole. Consultation experience in local jails, reformatories, penitentiaries and maximum and medium security psychiatric facilities is also provided. A comprehensive seminar program is an integral part of the fellowship during which the fellow has contact with a variety of faculty staff who have different interests within forensic psychiatry. Three of the part-time faculty are jointly qualified in law and psychiatry. Research training is also provided and fellows enrolled for the M.Sc. degree with the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto are preferred.
To be classified as a fellow, one has to have completed training to be eligible for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada examinations and must pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examinations. Student visas are required.
Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission, BC
Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission (FPSC) offers a one-year clinical fellowship in forensic psychiatry co-administered with the University of British Columbia.
The fellowship prepares psychiatrists to work as experts in criminal and civil forensic mental health settings with rotations in adult, youth, and civil forensics.
The primary training sponsor for adult criminal forensics is FPSC, a multi-site provincial health organization that includes a 190-bed inpatient Forensic Psychiatric Hospital and regional clinics.
The fellowship provides training in all aspects of forensic psychiatry in inpatient, outpatient and correctional settings, including the assessment of competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, civil liability, and risk for violence. Training includes the management of persons who have been found Unfit to stand trial or Not Criminally Responsible, sex offenders, and probationers.
Training in youth forensics is coordinated through Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services.
Training in civil forensics takes place in specialized clinics and under supervisors practicing in the private sector.
The fellowship program also includes exposure to correctional settings and opportunities for research, continuing medical education, tele-psychiatry, and some travel.
Faculty supervisors are specialized in forensic psychiatry and psychology.
* Level: Psychiatrists eligible for a license to practice medicine in B.C.
In addition to the salary, funding is also provided for attendance at the AAPL annual meeting and Board Review Course.
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship
The Forensic Fellowship at Queen’s University is organized from the Correctional Service of Canada and draws from a variety of institutions and academic programs aimed at providing the Fellow with a broad base of forensic and correctional issues and theoretical knowledge in Forensic Psychiatry.
The fellow will be based at the Ontario Regional Treatment Centre, a 120-bed psychiatric facility for the treatment of federal penitentiary prisoners. Under supervision, at this facility, the Fellow will learn first hand the interface between correctional and health systems and will be involved in the assessment and treatment of individuals serving from 2 years to life and who suffer from serious mental conditions, comorbidities, or correctional pathologies. Part of the time will be spent at the 30-bed Forensic Unit of the PCCC-MHS, a facility for the assessment of fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility, and treatment of persons found not criminally responsible because of mental disorder. The forensic program at the Hospital has community outreach facilities throughout the area served by the Hospital.
The Fellow will attend a series of forensic seminars at the Department of Psychiatry and will conduct specialized readings on particular areas of Forensic Psychiatry as directed by the Chairperson of the Division at the Department of Psychiatry, Queen’s University. On entrance, the Fellow is required to present a plan for a research project to be completed by the end of the Fellowship year.
A multidiscipinary Faculty at the Forensic Psychiatry program at Queen’s will be in charge of providing the seminars and directed readings for the Fellow. The following is a partial list of topics to be covered throughout the year. Other topics will be added as required. Forensic Psychiatry-Definition of the field and systems interface; Crime and its biological and social determinants; Criminal competence and fitness to stand trial; Criminal responsibility and psychiatric defenses; Sexual pathologies and social defense; Determinants of violence; Mental illness and violence and health/justice response; Risk assessment and risk management; Competence to undertake civil actions; Landmark cases, Correctional Psychiatry.
The Forensic Fellowship program at Queen’s University is a registered program within the Forensic Fellowships Programs of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.