Zenovia Ursuliak

Education

BSc (Simon Fraser University)
PhD (Simon Fraser University)
MD (University of Calgary)
FRCPC (Dalhousie University)
Fellowship in Psychotherapy(Dalhousie University)

Research interests

Dr. Ursuliak’ s research focuses on studying the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to promote recovery in people with mental illness. Current interventions of interest include art therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, herbal remedies for anxiety, mind-body skills such as mindfulness, and motivational interviewing for patients and their family members.

Selected publications  

• Ursuliak, Z., Milliken, H., Morgan, N. Wellness Program for People With Early Psychosis: Promoting Skills and Attitudes for Recovery, Psychiatric Services, in press for January 2015
• Ursuliak, Z., K-L. Cassidy, G. Eskes, Burke, D.  An Observational Study of the Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Late‑Life Depressive and Anxiety Disorders.  The Canadian Journal of Geriatrics.  11(2), 88-93, 2008
• Carlson, L.E., Z. Ursuliak, Goodey, E., Angen, M., Speca, M.   Six Month Follow-Up: The Effects of a Mindfulness Meditation Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients.  Supportive Care in Cancer 9(2):112-23, 2001.

Selected awards and honours  

• Poster Presentation Award, 3rd Place, Seventh Atlantic Canada Psychosis Conference, September 2007
• Poster Presentation Award, Client/Community Focus Category, 2nd Place, Capital Health Quality Fair May 2007
• Canadian Psychiatric Association’s R.O. Jones Award for Best Paper by a Resident, November 2006
• Dr. W.O. McCormick Award for Outstanding Resident Presentation, June 2006
• Best Resident Paper, Atlantic Provinces Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, June 2006

Teaching

• Provides didactic lectures and psychotherapy supervision in Motivational Interviewing for PGY2 Psychiatry Residents.
• Provides didactic lectures and psychotherapy supervision in Interpersonal Group Therapy for PGY3-5 Psychiatry Residents.

Service & Activity

• Provides presentations and Motivational Interviewing skills training for family members of people with schizophrenia through the Schizophrenia Society and the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program.
• Provides presentations on herbal and relaxation techniques for dealing with stress for community mental health clinics and the Recovery to Discovery peer support group, Halifax Regional Municipality Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia.