Payton McPhee, MSc.

Title: Graduate Student

Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:

Master of Science, Applied Forensic Psychology (Saint Mary’s University)

Bachelor of Science, Psychology (Honours; Saint Mary’s University)

Certificate in Forensic Sciences (Saint Mary’s University)

Certificate in Peace Education and Conflict Management (Peaceful Schools International/Saint Mary’s University)

Biography:

Hello! My name is Payton (she/her) and I am originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I have spent the past six years in Halifax, Nova Scotia to pursue my education, but I am excited to start a new chapter in Fredericton, New Brunswick! Throughout these past years, my research interests have been quite broad but have always maintained a forensic focus. During my master’s degree, I have explored research topics of sexual offending, reintegration and recidivism, zoophilia, violent victimization, forgiveness, restorative justice, and stigma toward individuals involved in the criminal justice system. My research has been recognized by several prestigious scholarships such as the Canada Graduate Scholarship Masters ($17,500) and the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Graduate Scholarship ($4,500). I have also had fantastic opportunities to supervise three undergraduate theses, and two graduate level research projects, during my master’s degree which has helped to strengthen my mentoring and research abilities.

In addition, I have gained rich clinical experiences throughout my education thus far. I have previously worked at the Forensic Sexual Behaviour Program where I was tasked with conducting risk assessments, scoring risk instruments, and implementing treatment options for individuals who have been convicted of a sexual offence. I have also spent time working at the East Coast Forensic Psychiatric Hospital where I engaged in clinical treatment and conducted program evaluations for those who have been found Not Criminally Responsible. Finally, I have had the privilege of engaging in an apprenticeship at Millhaven Institution, a men’s maximum-security prison in Ontario, where I conducted risk assessments and clinical treatment sessions with several high-profile incarcerated individuals.

Overall, I hope to continue to build upon my research and clinical skills as I enter into my PhD at UNB. In the future, I wish to work with adult populations within the criminal justice sector in hopes of promoting greater well-being, healing, and positive change that will benefit the individual and the greater societal population.

Select Publications:

McPhee, P., & Starzomski, A. (2024). The Value of Voice: Exploring the Perceived Impact of Patient Advisory Committees in a Canadian Forensic Mental Health Facility. Crime Scene: Psychology Behind Bars and In Front of the Bench, 30(2), 18-20.

McArthur, J., McPhee, P., & Ternes, M. (2024). Examining the Acceptability and Likelihood of Self-Centered and Other-Centered Lying Using the HEXACO. Personality and Individual Differences, 220, 112526.

McArthur, J., McPhee, P., & Ternes, M. (2023). Correctional Psychology Pioneer: Marguerite Warren (1920-2008). In Magaletta, P., Ternes, M., & Patry, M., The Future and History of Correctional Psychology (pp.73-84). Springer.

Select Presentations:

*McPhee, P., & Ternes, M. (forthcoming; 2024, July 22 - 26). Investigating Correlates of Forgiveness and Restorative Justice Attitudes Among Individuals Who Have Experienced Violent Criminal Victimization. [20-Minute Oral Presentation]. 38th Congress of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health (IALMH); Barcelona, Spain. https://ialmh.org/schedule-and-programming.

*McPhee, P., Monaghan, J., & Ternes, M. (2024, March 21 - 23). A Qualitative Analysis of Individual Differences and the Influence on Perceptions of Sexual Offence Reintegration. [5-Minute Data Blitz Presentation]. American Psychology and Law Society Conference (AP-LS); Los Angeles, California, United States. https://ap-ls.org/conferences/schedule

*McPhee, P., Kelln, B., & Stewart, H. (2023, October 3). LOOKS MATTER: Improving the Living Environment for the Inpatient Forensic Hospital. [Poster Presentation]. Nova Scotia Health Quality Improvement Summit; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

*McPhee, P., Monaghan, J., & Ternes, M. (2023, September 28 - 30). Exploring the Influence of Personal Experiences and Characteristics on Perceptions of the Reintegration Process of Those Who Have Been Convicted of a Sexual Offence. [5-Minute Data Blitz Presentation]. Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse Conference (ATSA); Aurora, Colorado, United States.