Q: What types of projects do students typically work on? What is collaboration like across the lab?  
A: Students have the opportunity to collect their own data and/or use previously collected data for their projects. Graduate students help out with current studies being run in the lab through various tasks such as study conceptualization, conducting clinical interviews, compiling questionnaires, and data collection. Students will then use the study data for their dissertation. They will often also collaborate with other lab members to write and publish side project manuscripts using this data. Study data is also available for others in the lab to use, and there are several other datasets of previously collected data to be used for potential projects and/or graduate dissertations. 

Q:  What is clinical training like?
A: Clinical training occurs in the in-house clinic and at external practica sites around Montreal. Starting in your first year, you receive training in adult and child assessment, which includes classroom and practical training. You will conduct at least one full adult and one full child assessment as part of these courses. Your first psychotherapy practicum occurs in your second year and takes place in the in-house clinic. After this, you will apply for one to two additional practica, typically at external sites. Clinical supervisors are incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and provide good feedback. Patient sessions are recorded, so both graduate students and their supervisor can watch the session back together and receive process-oriented comments. Students that thrive in the clinical program are those that take charge in their own learning by doing reading (e.g., therapy manuals), engaging in independent clinical work, and reporting to their clinical supervisors with questions. 

Q: What type of student is typically successful here?
A: Students that are passionate about their research topic, take initiative, are independent workers, and who appreciate cultivating a positive/social lab culture are typically successful here. Our lab is fast-paced with lots of opportunities to pursue projects and work alongside others. Graduate students often help each other out, so students that are collaboration-oriented often thrive in our lab environment. 

Q:  What clinical populations does the lab work with?
A: The lab works with individuals across the spectrum of eating disorders. Commonly, our studies recruit individuals with binge-spectrum eating disorders, though we have also recruited individuals with restrictive-spectrum eating disorders, as well as community samples.

Q: Do students receive travel or conference funding?
A: Students receive funding for one conference a year. This amount is determined in discussion with the supervisor. Students are also encouraged to apply for travel grants from the department and/or their graduate student association. 

Q: What is it like living on the stipend in Montreal?
A: Montreal is a relatively livable/affordable city compared to other big cities in Canada. Quality of living will depend on the stipend/fellowship/scholarship you receive. The departmental stipend alone may not be enough without also being a TA and/or receiving supplemental funcing or scholarshops. However, winning a federal or provincial funding award, particularly at the doctoral level, allows you to live comfortably in Montreal.