The Clinical Developmental (CD) Area offers opportunities to engage in research spanning infancy through to emerging adulthood related to clinically-relevant topics in typical and atypical development, psychosocial development, neuropsychology, therapy outcomes, and program evaluation.

Research programs studied by CD faculty have a developmental emphasis and include topics defined by:
- Age and stage of development (e.g., infancy, adolescence, transition to adulthood)
- Clinical psychopathology and treatment approach (e.g., trauma therapy, pain assessment, parenting, CBT, attachment disorders, early intensive behavioural intervention)
- Developmental cognitive neuroscience (e.g., memory, executive functioning, attention, brain structure-function relationships in clinical populations)
- Professional function related to children and families (e.g., clinical assessment/diagnosis, pediatric neuropsychological assessment, program evaluation)
- Child and youth clinical populations (including, but not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health, addictions)
- Developmental risk factors (e.g. prenatal exposures, trauma, brain injuries)
Faculty members in the CD area are all registered psychologists. Most members are active clinically—providing supervision, consultation, program evaluation, and outcome research in various community settings in addition to conducting collaborative grant-supported research.
In addition to obtaining rigorous research training, students are expected to obtain core competencies in the scope of practice of clinical psychology as applied to children and adolescents. This includes coursework and practical training (mainly in external practica) in psychological assessment and diagnosis of children and adolescents (including various types of internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders and developmental disorders), as well as, a variety of evidence-based modalities of child, adolescent, and/or family intervention.
Students who are interested in specialized training in clinical neuropsychology can apply to the Clinical Neuropsychology stream after being admitted to the Clinical-Developmental area.
Admission Requirements for Applying to the Clinical Developmental area:
- Minimum A- GPA in last two years of a four-year undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology (or Psychology Major);
- Completion of an undergraduate thesis or thesis equivalent;
- At least two courses in statistics and/or research methods with a minimum grade of A- in each course;
- Minimum of 6 months research experience;
- Minimum of 6 months of volunteer or paid work in a clinical or related field;
- At least two letters of recommendation from a research or academic supervisor
For more information about the Clinical-Developmental area, please contact the Director of Clinical Training Dr. Adrienne Perry. For admissions queries, please email gradpsyc@yorku.ca.
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The Graduate Program in Psychology at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.