Email

psevigny@ualberta.ca

Phone

(780) 492-7719

Address

5-131 Education Centre - North

8730 - 112 St NW

Edmonton AB

T6G 2G5

I received my doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Regina in 2013. I worked in tertiary health care settings and also at the University of Regina before joining the University of Alberta in 2017. I am a clinical psychologist, and in that role I have worked primarily with families and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Professional Affiliations

College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP); Saskatchewan College of Psychologists (SKCP); Canadian Psychological Association (CPA); Canadian Positive Psychology Association (CPPA).

Theoretical Orientation

My theoretical orientation is largely influenced by humanistic and family systems theories. In both clinical assessment and psychotherapy, I believe it important to seek to understand the whole person in the context of their lived experience. I utilize a strengths-based approach to support resilience and foster positive change for my clients.  

My research interests have focused mainly on the changing role of men within the family and on understanding factors that promote positive father involvement. Specifically, I have studied fathers’ parenting self-efficacy, and supporting the transition to fathering. I am also interested in the interplay between masculine ideologies, parenting beliefs and parenting behaviours. Additional areas of interest include exploring the influence of nature contact on psychological well-being and better understanding the assessment of existential courage. 

Select Publications & Presentations

Brooks, A. M., Ottley, K. M., Arbuthnott, K. D., & Sevigny, P. R. (2017). Nature-related mood effects: Season and type of nature contact. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 91-102. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.10.004.

Berard, N., Loutzenhiser, L., Sevigny, P. R., & Alfano, D. P. (2017). Executive function, social emotional learning and social competence in school-aged boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 32, 265-281. doi: 10.1177/0829573517707907

Sevigny, P. R. (2017, March). Beyond Risk: Identifying and encouraging the use of character strengths to foster positive change. Keynote address given at the 3nd Canadian National Fatherhood Conference, Winnipeg, MB.

Sevigny, P. R., Loutzenhiser, L., & McAuslan, P. (2016). Development and Validation of the Fathering Self-Efficacy Scale. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 17, 92-102. doi:10.1037/a0039659

Malloy, D. C., Sevigny, P. R., Hadjistavropoulos, T., Bond, K., Fahey McCarthy, E., Murakami, M., Paholpak, S., Shalani, N., Liu, P. L. & Peng, H. (2014). Religiosity and ethical ideology of physicians: A cross-cultural study. Journal of Religion and Health, 53, 244-254.

Sevigny, P. R. & Loutzenhiser, L (2010). Predictors of parenting self-efficacy in mothers and fathers of toddlers. Child: Care, Health and Development, 36, 179-189.