CAPO 2026 Award for Clinical Excellence Winner: Kimberley Thibodeau

Kimberley Thibodeau, MSW, CFT, works as a couple and family therapist at the Psychosocial Oncology Program, Supportive and Palliative Care Division at the Cedars Cancer Centre of the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) since 2008. She earned a Master’s Degree of Social Work at McGill University, and additional training at the Jewish General Hospital to become a certified couple and family therapist and a registered psychotherapist with the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec. She sits on the board of directors of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) as vice-president and is the chair of the advocacy committee and the co-chair of the clinical advisory committee. 

As a clinician, she provides psychosocial services to cancer patients and their family members from diagnosis to end-of-life through evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions. She is a recognized expert on the impact of cancer on patients and their family members. She is actively involved in supervising and training the next generation of psychosocial oncologists with expertise in couple & family systems.

Kimberley Thibodeau, M.S.S., CFT, est thérapeute conjugale et familiale au sein du Programme d’oncologie psychosociale du Centre du cancer des Cèdres du centre universitaire de santé McGill (CUSM) depuis 2008. Détentrice d’une maîtrise en travail social de l’Université McGill, elle est également psychothérapeute agréée par l’Ordre des psychologues du Québec. Elle siège au conseil d’administration de l’association canadienne d’oncologie psychosociale (ACOP) à titre de vice-présidente, et copréside les comités de défense des droits et clinique.

En tant que clinicienne, elle offre des services psychosociaux aux personnes atteintes de cancer et à leurs proches, de l’annonce du diagnostic jusqu’à la fin de vie, en s’appuyant sur des interventions psychothérapeutiques fondées sur des données probantes. Reconnue comme une experte de l’impact du cancer sur les patients et leurs familles, elle s’implique activement dans la supervision et la formation de la prochaine génération d’oncologues psychosociaux spécialisés dans les dynamiques conjugales et familiales.

Spécialisée dans l’accompagnement psychothérapeutique des patients atteints de cancer et de leurs proches, elle intervient tout au long du parcours de soins, du diagnostic à la fin de vie. Reconnue pour son expertise en dynamique conjugale et familiale en oncologie, elle contribue activement à la formation des futurs professionnels du domaine.

To nominate a CAPO member for one of these Awards of Excellence, please see below:

• Nominators do not need to be CAPO members. It is the responsibility of the nominators to obtain permission from the nominee to put their name forward for the award.

• Application for the award will consist of:

• • a curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee,
  • a letter of nomination from the primary nominator summarizing the nomination submission,
  • one letter of reference from individuals familiar with the nominee’s contributions. The letter of nomination will specifically state why the nominee is deserving of the award by providing evidence for how the individual has contributed to the enhancement of psychosocial oncology in Canada, through their scientific and research endeavors, clinical practice, or education or policy (depending on award they are being nominated for).
  • It is the responsibility of the nominators to obtain permission from the nominee to put their name forward for the award (letter or email).

• Dates to submit completed nomination packages for 2026 is April 10, 2026. Once determined they must be submitted online the Chair(s) of the Awards Committee (c/o the CAPO office), using the buttons below.

• Nominations and supporting documentation can be submitted in either French or English.

• In the event of multiple nominees, the Awards Committee will invite members of the CAPO Board (barring those with conflicts of interest) to vote in order to attain a recipient of the award. In the event of a tie vote, the last three CAPO past presidents, excluding the immediate past president (who are clear of any conflict of interest) will review the tied nominations and vote amongst themselves to select a winner.

• If no suitable recipients are nominated, no award will be given.

• There is no monetary value to these awards.

• Click here to view the Excellence Awards Terms of Reference.

CAPO Award for Clinical Excellence

This award shall be presented by the Awards Committee and the Board of Directors of the association to a CAPO member in recognition of outstanding clinical contributions to the field of psychosocial oncology in Canada.

1. The recipient will have made his or her contributions as a practitioner in applied psychosocial work in oncology;

2. Nominees must be registered or licensed to practice in their field, and have been practicing in the field of psychosocial oncology for a minimum of 5 years;

3. Nominees must demonstrate outstanding clinical contributions to psychosocial oncology. The award focuses on the distinctive contribution made in providing or developing services to patients and families; and/or in clinical supervision of others.

4. Award recipients must register and attend the annual CAPO conference (in person or virtually) in order to be eligible.

Innovation and sustained successful clinical service should be what distinguishes the recipient of this award.