News

Dr. Natalie Frost and Chris Dalton attended the 2026 Canadian Psychological Association Annual National Convention held in Montreal in June. Dr. Dan Dalton and Chris Dalton also attended the pre-conference workshop on Indigenous Psychology and the medicine wheel. This conference is held annually and is an opportunity for psychologists across the country to share new research, ideas, and trends in the field. There were some key themes this year from the speakers that we hope will help inform our practices at Dalton Associates.

1. Inclusion, Diversity, and the Future of the Profession

One theme involved creating a more diverse and inclusive psychology workforce by focusing on how inclusive educational and professional environments can improve psychology student success and increase diverse representation within the profession. This is a value we also hold and are seeking to improve through our EDI practices at Dalton Associates. We are always striving to enhance our roster of clinicians from an EDI-lens to better serve our diverse client population.

2. Psychology’s Role in Addressing Societal Challenges

Another theme looked at sustainability and how it is inherently a psychology issue because it requires change of human behaviour. Engineers and technicians across the world can develop more sustainable products and services, but if people aren’t able to make the change in their behaviour to utilize these technologies appropriately, then they aren’t as effective as they could be. Food for thought – how might you make a change in your behaviour to support sustainability for future generations?

3. Digital Transformation of Psychological Practice

Another central theme was how psychologists can practice effectively in an increasingly digital world, addressing the opportunities and challenges created by technology, especially AI. It was predicted that AI therapy bots will only increase in their effectiveness in the years ahead. This tool may be helpful for individuals who maybe never would have sought therapy otherwise. However, many clients still have a preference for human connection and engagement as we saw during and after the global pandemic. At Dalton Associates we see the value of how some AI tools can facilitate services and administrative tasks, but we also see the wisdom, and value the clinical judgment, that our clinicians bring to our practice.

4. Evidence-Based Mental Health

The conference also stressed scientific rigor and evidence-based practice. This was especially evident in discussions about misinformation and the growing “wellness industry”, emphasizing the importance of psychological science in public mental health. As clinicians we may need to help clients make informed decisions about their treatment options, noting risks and benefits of products that are widely advertised, as well as regularly incorporate evidence-based practices into our work.

Overall, the Canadian Psychological Association Convention, reinforced that psychology has an important role in addressing both individual and societal challenges, reminding us to support informed decision-making, promote meaningful behaviour change, and advance equity and sustainability in our work and communities. At Dalton Associates, we can strengthen the future of mental health care by fostering inclusion, embracing evidence-based practice, and using technology thoughtfully while continuing to provide the human connection, clinical judgment, and culturally responsive care that clients value.

Dr. Natalie Frost

Director of Clinical Mental Health Services