LAB DIRECTOR

HEATHER PRIME, PHD, C. PSYCH. (she/her)

Associate Professor

Department of Psychology, York University

Dr. Prime's research program uses a family-based approach to understanding mental health and development in children and youth. She emphasizes the importance of family relationships as a key mechanism through which risk and/or resilience is transmitted in families. She also considers contextual factors that influence children and their families, such as daily stress, early adverse experiences, pandemic-related stress, and climate change. She pays close attention to processes of vulnerability and resilience; that is, how certain factors within individuals and families can heighten the impact of risk on outcomes (vulnerability) OR can buffer against the threat of risks on outcomes (resilience). The overarching goal of Dr. Prime's research program is to provide evidence to inform public health policy and clinical practice aimed at supporting children and their families.

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In the Prime Family Lab, we use multiple, complementary methodological designs, such as longitudinal, daily diary, within-family (sibling), and RCT designs, to address complex questions related to human development. We study individual differences in children and families, including predictors and consequences, as well as evidence-based interventions to support child and family well-being. We implement real-time observations of family interactions to support our understanding of naturalistic processes in families.

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Our lab is also focused on building evidence-based, accessible family-centered supports, including self-directed, brief (e.g., 4 session), and virtual parent group programs. Throughout, we support parents to identify personal needs and help them to build up core skills that benefit parents, children, and entire families. These programs are being developed and evaluated in collaboration with the York University Psychology Clinic and Garry Hurvitz Cenre for Community Mental Health.

Dr. Prime joined the Department of Psychology at York University in 2020, following a CIHR-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University. She is registered with the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario. She is a practicing clinical psychologist at the York University Psychology Clinic, where she see clients directly and also supervises graduate trainees. Her clinical focus is on family assessment and family therapy (including parent coaching and coparenting support) to support children’s emotional and behavioural challenges, and to support parents to make positive change in their families. As a clinical psychologist, she is committed to using her clinical training to guide her research, and she emphasizes clinical utility in her research endeavours.