Psychological Society
Jamaican
Values
The core values of the Society are: integrity, accountability, transparency, professionalism, inclusivity/inclusiveness, cultural relevance, social responsibility and respect for diversity.
Objectives
The strategic objectives of the Society are:
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To protect the public by advocating for the highest professional standards amongst psychological and counselling practitioners in Jamaica.
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To enhance the professional practice of psychology and counselling in order to serve the nation and its psychological needs.
Vision
The Jamaican Psychological Society aspires to be the professional body for psychologists and counsellors in Jamaica; while exemplifying high professional standards, providing quality continuing education, ensuring public awareness and advancing psychology and counselling as a profession.
Mission
To promote the development of professional psychologists and counsellors; and uphold ethical standards, conduct, and respect for diversity in the practice of psychology and counselling.
JamPsych Committees
Advocacy
Ms. Valrie McKenzie
Ethics
Dr. Margarett Barnett
Membership
Ms. Daniella Sykes
Public Relations
Policy
Dr. Kerri-ann Peart
Research
Dr. Kimberly Ho Misiaszek
JamPsych Executives
Kai A. D. Morgan, PsyD
Immediate Past President
Dr. Kai A. D. Morgan is a registered clinical psychologist in Jamaica, with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology obtained from Carlos Albizu University in September 2001. She worked as a Clinical Psychologist at the University of the West Indies as a lecturer and the University Hospital of the West Indies for 15 years as a consultant in the Department of Community Health & Psychiatry. In 2016, she moved into the entrepreneurial world to include a private practice and consultancy work, and other business endeavours. Dr. Morgan's private practice includes a team of more than 10 associate clinical psychologists (Masters level persons) and services include both therapy (e.g. for trauma, depression, anxiety, personality disorders) and assessment (e.g. psychoeducational, personality, behavioural, neuropsychological) as well as research, training and consultancies for various purposes.
She is currently the Co-Chair of the Professional Practice & Standards Committee of the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations (CANPA), sits on the Executive Board of the Lister Mair / Gilby School for the Deaf, and is a member of the American Psychological Association's Global Psychology Alliance and the International Movement for Prescription Authority for Psychologists (IMPAP). Her interests for both research and clinical practice include trauma, sexual behaviour, couples / relationship dynamics, and Caribbean psychology.
Finally after serving in various JamPsych executive roles for almost 20 years, she currently sits as the Immediate Past President of the Jamaican Psychological Society (JamPsych).
Contact: jampsychipp@gmail.com
Djavila Ho, MSc
President
Djavila Ho is a licensed Associate Clinical Psychologist in Kingston, Jamaica, who has been in clinical practice for over 10 years. She received her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with Distinction from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. In addition to private practice, she has worked in diverse settings as the University Counsellor at Caribbean Maritime University, Clinical Psychologist at Victoria Jubilee and Kingston Public Hospitals, and as a research and practicum supervisor for psychology students at the International University of the Caribbean and the Northern Caribbean University respectively.
Her clinical practice focuses on adolescent and adult mental health care, trauma and stress-related disorders, grief, and mood disorders. She has a passion for mental health policy and initiatives focused on developing accessible, affordable and high quality mental health care.
She is an International Affiliate member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and has previously served on the Jamaican Psychological Society executive body as Director of Membership (3 years) and Vice President (1.5 years). She is currently the President of the Jamaican Psychological Society.
Contact: jampsychpresident@gmail.com
Margarett Barnett, PhD
Vice President
Dr. Margarett Barnett is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University College of the Caribbean and a Consultant at the Jamaica Theological Seminary. Dr. Barnett has spent over twenty years working in private, nonprofit organizations that focus on providing services to young people and their families. During this time she has worked as a Counsellor, Program Director, Trainer, Project Manager and Church/School Administrator.
Her professional interests are in the areas of integral psychology (particularly the intersection of psychology, spirituality & business), reflective processes such as dialogue and contemplative practices for building a high trust culture in organizations, leadership studies (particularly servant leadership and transformational leadership), emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, renewal, passion, and life balance at work, family dynamics in the workplace, and long-term sustainability and fostering a triple bottom line in organizations.
Dr. Barnett enjoys a blend of work as an educator, researcher, and consultant.
Contact: jampsychvicepresident@gmail.com
Verol Billet, MSc.
Treasurer
Verol A. Billett is a Licensed Associate Clinical Psychologist (MSc.) who currently works in private practice conducting psychological assessments and psychotherapy. He is also an adjunct staff at The University of the West Indies Mona, where he teaches in the areas of Psychology and Criminology in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work. Much of his work involves helping persons across the lifespan, in various settings, manage their emotions, increasing self-awareness and find healthy ways of coping, adjusting and overcoming obstacles and challenges they are facing and how to use those strategies in the future. He has special interests in forensic psychology, trauma, emotion dysregulation, personality disorders and male mental health. He is a member of the Jamaica Psychological Society, American Psychological Association and a graduate member of the British Psychological Society.
Contact: jampsychtreasurer1@gmail.com
Daniella Sykes, MSc
Director of Membership
Daniella Sykes is an Associate Clinical Psychologist in Kingston, Jamaica. She currently works in private practice conducting psychological assessments and psychotherapy. She also works in a school setting where she does psychotherapy, psychological assessments, and social skills training with children with special needs. She received her MSc. in Clinical Psychology with distinction from the University of the West Indies in May of 2021. Her areas of work in psychology include research, assessments, and psychotherapy. Her interests include positive psychology, body image and working with children and adolescents.
She is a member of the Jamaica Psychological Society and is part of its Policy Committee. She is also an affiliate member of the American Psychological Association. She was nominated in 2021 to be an emerging leader for the American Psychology Association’s Global Psychology Learning Leadership Institute.
Contact: jampsychmembership@gmail.com
Valrie McKenzie, MA., MBPsS
Director of Advocacy
She is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica where she has been since 2011. She has developed the Behavioural Dentistry course in the College of Oral Health Science among other courses.
Ms. McKenzie is a Member of the British Psychological Society which is denoted by the titled acronym MBPsS and extends to divisional membership of Health Psychology Division since 2009. Being a member of the Jamaica Psychological Association, she is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association.
Her educational achievements include a M.Sc. Psychological Research (Clinical & Health) – University of Wales, Bangor, B.Sc. Psychology – Northern Caribbean University (NCU), ASc. Mass Communication – NCU, Certificate in Counselling – United Theological College of the West Indies, Postgraduate Diploma Teaching & Learning with Emerging Technologies – UWI, Postgraduate Certificate in Law (Medical Ethics) – University of Edinburgh, Certificate in Dental Nursing formerly Dental Auxiliary School, Certificate in Health Records & Statistics formerly CAST.
Contact: jampsychadvocacy@gmail.com
Angelina Franklin, B.SW., M.Sc.
Secretary
Angelina Franklin, BSW, MSc is a trained Social Worker, who has been serving in said capacity at the Child Guidance Clinic; within the St. Andrew Health Service, since 2008. She serves as a Medical Social Worker in offering counseling services to children, adolescents and their families.
She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) from the UWI in 2008; and her Master of Science in Counselling and Social Work from The Mico University College in 2019.
She is a Full member of the Jamaican Psychological Society and an International Affiliate Member of the American Psychological Association (APA).
Contact: jampsychsecretary@gmail.com
Cheril Thompson, PhD.
Director of Education
Dr. Cheril Thompson is a Licensed Clinical psychologist with over 18 years of experience providing treatment to adults, children, and families. Her area of expertise includes psychological testing, and the diagnosis and treatment of trauma related and other psychological disorders. Dr. Thompson is an Associate Professor at Northern Caribbean University. She has served as a faculty member with over 10 years of teaching experience at the university level, in the Caribbean and in the United States. Dr. Thompson completed her educational training by earning a BSc in Communication Disorders from the University of Houston (Central), an MA in Clinical Psychology from Texas Southern University, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at PsychSolutions Inc. in South Florida and her post-doctoral fellowship at the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center in Houston Texas.
Dr. Thompson has been in private practice for over 14 years and she provide treatment both in person and online. She is a member of the Jamaica Psychological Society (JAMPSYCH), the International Honor Society in psychology (PSI CHI), and the American Psychological Association (APA). She is currently involved in research and her faith in God permeates her personal and professional life.
Contact: jampsycheducation@gmail.com
Melody Samuels, MSc
NorthEastern Regional Rep
Melody Samuels is an Associate Clinical Psychologist who gained her education at the University of the West Indies, Mona (MSc, Clinical Psychology) and Williams College in Massachusetts (BA, Psychology). She serves as Regional Clinical Psychologist at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) in the North East Region, which spans St. Mary, Portland, and St. Ann.
Miss Samuels' duties include therapy for children in State care, along with those who are under the supervision of State social workers. Among other tasks, she helps to educate parents and train staff within the system on key issues related to the psychosocial wellness of our vulnerable children
Contact: jampsychnerep@gmail.com
Yvette Boucher Gardner, MSc
Western Regional Rep
Yvette Boucher Gardner is a licensed associate counselling psychologist for the island of Jamaica. Her expertise includes counselling with families and individuals who are experiencing challenges in functioning optimally in different settings and she has worked extensively with the adolescent population for more than a decade. For the past twelve years, Mrs. Boucher Gardner has been lecturing various psychology courses at a number of the island's tertiary institutions. She is an international member of the American Psychological Association.
Contact: jampsychwestrep@gmail.com
Paul Smith, PsyD.
Southern Regional Representative
Paul Smith hails from the parish of Trelawny, a people person, a practicing believer of Jesus Christ, one who embodies the philosophy; “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain”. He is married with Two Children. Dr. Smith attended Church Teachers’ College, Jamaica Theological Seminary, Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, and California Southern University. He holds a diploma in Spanish, a bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counselling, and two master’s degrees, one in Theology and the other in Counselling Psychology. He presently has a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. He has a keen interest in
treating persons suffering from caregiver burden.
Dr. Smith is presently the Founder and one of the Directors of Love & Restoration Ministries- LARM (A registered charity & non-profit, non-denominational organization). He is also a Minister of Religion, a marriage officer, a Justice of the Peace, and a Motivational Speaker. He has a private practice called New -Life Counselling & Psychotherapy Services in Santa Cruz, St, Elizabeth and Mandeville, Manchester.
Contact: jampsychsouthernrep@gmail.com
Monique Barrett, B.Sc.
Student Representative
Monique Barrett is a recent graduate of the University of the West Indies (Mona campus), with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is fascinated by the field of psychology, and has a passion for research. Her research interests include the the clinical risk factors of psychosis in minority populations and the development of culturally relevant assessment tools and interventions. Despite being an academic at heart, she also enjoys going to the beach and traveling.
Contact: jampsychstudent@gmail.com
By-Laws
Scope of Practice
JamPsych's Scope of Practice outlines the the tasks and roles associated with different categories of psychologist and counsellors who are members of the Society.