Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselling Psychology
McGill University | 2026

Dissertation: Depathologizing Queer Substance Use and Recovery: Critical Community Perspectives

Recipient of the Society of Addiction Psychology Distinguished Student Scholar Award for Research, Equity, and Social Justice.

Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling Psychology
McGill University | 2020

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Psychology
Bishop's University | 2018

Recipient of the Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence for the top Honours Psychology thesis.

Specialized Training

Advanced Certificate in Complex Trauma and Dissociation

International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) | 2024

2SLGBTIA+ Affirming Care

Pride Therapy Network of Montreal | 2023

Certificate in Complex Trauma and Dissociation

International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) | 2020

Internships & Practicums

Doctoral Clinical Internship
Healing Tree Psychology and Wellness Centre | 2023–2025

Supervisors: Dr. Julia Di Nardo & Elena Grinevitch (Psychologists and Co-Directors)

Focused on trauma, dissociation, and neurodivergence-affirming psychotherapy through an integrative and Internal Family Systems-informed approach.

Doctoral Clinical Practicum
Grey Zone Psychology and Wellness Centre | 2021–2023

Supervisor: Dr. Melissa Stern (Psychologist and Co-Director)

Provided individual and group comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for emotional dysregulation, trauma, and daily living-related concerns.

Master's Clinical Practicum
McGill Psychoeducational and Counselling Clinic | 2019–2020

Supervisor: Dr. Shawna Atkins (Psychologist)

Provided individual psychotherapy and developed foundational skills in assessment, case conceptualization, and intervention.

Honours Applied Psychology Undergraduate Practicum
Dunham House Mental Health Treatment Centre | 2018

Supervisor: Dr. Erin Dunn (Psychologist)

Facilitated psychoeducational groups focused on addiction, mental health, neuroscience, and recovery.

Organizer, Sober Queer Dance Parties
Montreal, Quebec | 2018–Present

Founded and continue to organize sober, anti-oppressive community events designed to foster connection, belonging, and alternative pathways to recovery and wellbeing.

Active Listener, Project 10
Montreal, Quebec | 2021–2022

Provided peer support and harm reduction-informed listening for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth through community events and programming.

Theme Team Leader, Canada We Want Conference
Ontario & Quebec | 2018–2020

Facilitated youth-led discussions on teen dating violence and supported the development of policy recommendations presented to the Government of Canada.

President, Gender Equity Centre
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2017–2018

Led campus initiatives promoting equity, sexual health, consent education, and student wellbeing while providing peer support and resource navigation.

Organizer, Hang Out on Thursday: Sober Hang Outs
Sherbrooke, Quebec | 2017–2018

Organized sober social events and educational programming to promote connection and community outside of campus drinking culture.

Trainer, Bystander Intervention Training
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2017–2018

Facilitated workshops on consent, alcohol use, and bystander intervention for post-secondary students.

Student Services Assistant
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2017–2018

Supported student mental health, equity initiatives, and counselling-related services in collaboration with Student Affairs.

Facilitator, Sexual Assault Support & Healing
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2016–2018

Facilitated confidential peer-support groups focused on trauma recovery, safety, and healing.

Research Experience

Research Assistant, Cultural and Indigenous Research in Counselling Psychology (CIRC)
McGill University, Montreal | 2018–2026
Supervisor: Dr. Dennis C. Wendt
Contributed to community-engaged research through literature reviews, qualitative analysis, grant development, ethics applications, presentations, and scholarly publications.

Lab Manager, Cultural and Indigenous Research in Counselling Psychology (CIRC)
McGill University, Montreal | 2020–2021
Supervisor: Dr. Dennis C. Wendt
Coordinated laboratory operations, research administration, community partnerships, and collaborative research activities.

Investigator and Workshop Leader, Be the Program Intervention (PHAC)
Ontario, Quebec, & Prince Edward Island | 2019–2020
Collaborated on the design and evaluation of a national youth-led initiative focused on healthy relationships and the prevention of teen dating violence.

Research Assistant, Lumiere Consulting
Montreal, Quebec | 2019
Supervisor: Juniper Glass
Conducted research on gender-lens philanthropy and supported knowledge mobilization through reports, webinars, and visual communication tools.

Network Analyst, Students Commission of Canada
Ontario & Quebec | 2018–2020
Conducted qualitative and quantitative program evaluation, facilitated youth engagement initiatives, and contributed to national research and policy development projects.

Research Assistant, UnMasking Appearances Lab
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2015–2018
Supervisor: Dr. Lisa Mask
Supported psychological research through data collection and analysis, literature reviews, participant recruitment, and experimental design.

Peer-reviewed articles

Bernett, P., Ernest-Cohen, M., Baum, T., Costain, C., Kowalska, M., Asuncion, T. R., Navani, S., Janusauskas, J., & Wendt, D. C. (2026). Navigating the paradoxical roles of social support in queer substance use: A scoping review. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2026.2649407

Gala, N., Dobischok, S., Bernett, P., Parker, D. G., O'Callahan, A., Zentner, D., Huson, K., Tomaro, J., & Wendt, D. C. (2025). Indigenous peoples and medications for opioid use disorders: A scoping review. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 39(7), 577–590. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0001085

Lacerda-Vandenborn, E., Wendt, D. C., Strand, D. T., Albatnuni, M., Bernett, P., McDougall, T. D., & Gone, J. P. (2025). Reimagining “multiple relationships” in psychotherapy: Decolonial/liberation psychologies and communal selfhood. American Psychologist, 80(4), 522-534. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001441

Bernett, P., Spence, S., Wilson, C., Gurr, E., Zentner, D., & Wendt, D. C. (2023). Canadian school psychology and Indigenous Peoples: Opportunities and recommendations. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 38(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/08295735231151281

Wendt, D.C., Marson, S., Parker, D., Lizzy, K.E., Roper, J., Mushquash, C., Venner, K.L., Lam, A., Swansburg, J., Worth, N., Sorlagas, N., Quach, T., Manoukian, K., Bernett, P., & Radin, S. (2021). Commentary on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on opioid use disorder treatment among Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108165

Conference Presentations

Bernett, P., Kowalska, M., McCrea, T., & Boyd, B. (2024, April). LGBTQ+ social and community supports for substance recovery in Montreal, Canada [Symposium]. Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction, Denver, CO.

McCrea, T., Bernett, P., Kowalska, M., Boyd, B., & Wendt, D. C. (2024, January). Queering recovery: Barriers faced and recommendations for support from LGBTQIA+ individuals in recovery from substance misuse [Poster presentation]. Centre for Clinical Research in Health, Montreal, QC.

Gala, N., Bernett, P., O'Callahan, A., Parker, D., Zentner, D., Huson, K., Tomaro, J., & Wendt, D. C. (2023, June). Indigenous Peoples and medications for opioid use disorder: A scoping review [Symposium]. Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction, Toronto, ON.

Kowalska, M., Bernett, P., McCrea, T., & Boyd, B. (2023, May). LGBTQ+ social and community supports in substance recovery: Ongoing research study [Poster presentation]. OutLoud 2023: Queer Voices in Research Symposium, Montreal, QC.

Bernett, P., Favel, B., & Wendt, D. C. (2020, May). Indigenous university students' perspectives on social and on-campus supports: Preliminary findings [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Montreal, QC. (Conference cancelled).

Wendt, D. C., & Bernett, P. (2019, October). Rethinking “multiple relationships” in psychotherapy: Cultural, Indigenous, and community perspectives [Conference session]. Psychology & the Other, Boston, MA.

Bernett, P., Parker, D., & Wendt, D. C. (2019, April). Medication-assisted treatment and Indigenous Peoples: A systematic review [Poster presentation]. Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction, Providence, RI.

Parker, D., Bernett, P., Favel, B., & Wendt, D. C. (2019, April). Indigenous traditional healing practices to address substance use problems: A literature review [Poster presentation]. Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction, Providence, RI.

Bernett, P., Mendrek, A., & Lawford, H. (2018, March). Mental health on campus: Stigmatizing attitudes and resource utilization [Poster presentation]. Bishop's University Research Week, Sherbrooke, QC.

Awards & Grants

Doctoral Research Scholarship
Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC) | 2022–2025
Awarded for doctoral research exploring LGBTQ+ social and community supports in substance recovery.

Student Research Grant
Society of Addiction Psychology (APA Division 50) | 2023
Awarded in support of participatory research examining LGBTQ+ social and community supports in substance recovery.

Master's Research Scholarship
Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC) | 2019–2020
Awarded for research exploring Indigenous post-secondary student belonging and support following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master's (CGS-M)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) | 2018–2019
Awarded in support of research examining Indigenous student belonging, connection, and care within post-secondary education.

Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence
Canadian Psychological Association | 2018
Awarded for the top Honours Psychology thesis at Bishop's University.

Student Life Impact Award
Bishop's University | 2018
Recognized for contributions to student wellbeing, community engagement, and campus life.

Leadership Excellence Award
Bishop's University | 2018
Recognized for leadership and service contributions within the university community.

Co-Chair, Montreal Study Group on Trauma and Dissociation | 2021–Present

Supports a community of interdisciplinary professionals through case consultation, discussion, and continuing education in trauma and dissociation.

Guest Lecturer
McGill University, Montreal | 2023–2024
Delivered lectures in graduate-level courses on participatory research and 2SLGBTQIA+-affirming clinical considerations.

Co-Supervisor
McGill University, Montreal | 2024
Co-supervised an undergraduate research project exploring 2SLGBTQIA+ substance recovery, which was later published in the McGill Journal of Human Behavior.

Guest Lecturer
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2018
Delivered a lecture in Abnormal Psychology focused on gender-affirming care in the context of the DSM.

Training Committee Member & Workshop Facilitator
Montreal Pride Therapy Network | 2023
Developed and delivered professional workshops on 2SLGBTQIA+ mental health and trauma-informed practice for mental health professionals.

Statistics Seminar Leader
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2016–2017
Facilitated seminars in introductory and advanced statistics for undergraduate psychology students.

Teaching Assistant
Bishop's University, Sherbrooke | 2016–2018
Supported instruction in multiple psychology courses, including Abnormal Psychology, Environmental Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, and Psychology of Nutrition.