Forensic Psychiatry Subspecialty

Thank you for considering Forensic Psychiatry subspecialty training at the University of Calgary!

Our forensic psychiatry subspecialty training program has received Royal College accreditation and has started accepting residents in their PGY5 year of training in 2022. We will be accepting applications for training to begin in July 2023. Our training program consists of 12 months of specialized forensic psychiatry experience ranging across a vast array of services and opportunities.

Our educational sites include:

• Inpatient psychiatry and consultation liaison at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre (SAFPC),
• Outpatient forensic mental health clinics at the Forensic Assessment and Outpatient Services (FAOS),
• NCR inpatient and outpatient care and assessments at both the SAFPC as well as Community Group Homes
• Calgary Correctional Centre in Calgary Zone as well as Calgary Remand Centre to provide institutional assessments and treatment
• Rocky Mountain Sex Offender Program out of the Calgary Correctional Centre

Elective opportunities including but not limited to assessments and treatment with Police and Crisis Teams

Our clinical teaching staff are committed to developing confident and competent clinicians who will become our future leaders in forensic psychiatry. They have been recognized by many residents during their training to be great sources of wisdom, mentorship and support in their educational journeys and are the foundation of our training program.

Education is the foremost objective in our subspecialty training program with protected half days, participation in international review courses (American Psychiatry and the Law) and flexibility to attend conferences and symposia. Formal mentorship will be a key component during the one year of training to develop both clinical and professional skills necessary for successful independent practice.

Thank you once again for consideration of joining our subspecialty training program.

Please contact us for any further information in regard to this program.

The University of Calgary forensic psychiatry subspecialty training program is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Our 12 month program provides exposure across the continuum of forensic psychiatric care from inpatient psychiatry and consultation liaison, outpatient forensic mental health clinics, NCR inpatient and outpatient care, Community Group Homes, Calgary Correctional Centre and the Calgary Remand Centre.

Within the 12 months, exposure to forensic Psychiatry and dedicated time for research and scholarly projects is included. We strive to be responsive to our residents and training can be tailored to future practice interests.

There will be weekly protected educational half days throughout the duration of training and allotted time for exam preparation including in person and online forensic psychiatry review courses. There will be ample opportunities for developing teaching and supervision skills for junior learners in our subspecialty area as well. Longitudinal mentorship opportunities will supplement the didactic teaching sessions to help you develop into clinical leaders in forensic psychiatry at the completion of training.

Policies regarding IMG including Return of Service

Currently we are only considering applications who are in the process of completing or have completed their general psychiatry training at a Canadian Royal College accredited program. There are no return of service expectations

Requirements for Application

• Currently be in PGY5 level of training
• Letter of Intent
• Completed Forensic Psychiatry Subspecialty Training Program Application Form
• Residency rotation experience form
• Three letters of reference, at least one from a forensic psychiatrist
• Updated CV
• Letter of Good Standing from current program director
• Evaluations from previous psychiatry rotations

Link to: Instructions and Eligibility, Overview and application process, Application Form,  and Rotation Experience Forms, Application and Matching Process 

Completed applications should be submitted electronically to program Coordinator Pauline Burgess, by September 1, 2022 for an anticipated start date of July 1, 2023.