MPS In-Person Fall Institute

  • 16 Oct 2026
  • 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Fort Whyte Alive, Buffalo Crossing, 1961 McCreary Rd

Registration


Register


Small Changes, Big Impact: An Evidence-Based Approach to Sustainable Mental and Physical Health

*Please note that this will be an in person only event and no recording will be available afterward. 

This Fall, the Manitoba Psychological Society is welcoming you to join us for an in- person, day-long session with Dr. Lesley Lutes. Attendees will be introduced to principles and application of the Small Changes Approach to behavior change treatment: an evidence-based approach to sustainable mental and physical health for people living with obesity and other chronic health and mental health conditions. 

The day spent with psychologists, other medical providers, trainees and affiliates, will offer opportunities for networking. Fort Whyte Alive will welcome attendees to its spacious and inspiring space at Buffalo Crossing, with King Cole providing catering. Thank you for informing us of dietary preferences and accessibility needs. 

Speaker Bio

Dr. Lesley Lutes is a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Director of the Centre for Obesity and Well-being Research Excellence. Her research focuses on developing evidence-based interventions that improve mental and behavioral health while reducing the impact of chronic physical health conditions. She has secured more than $8 million in research funding, published over 80 peer-reviewed papers, and delivered more than 100 national and international presentations. In 2024, she was named UBC Researcher of the Year in Health. Dr. Lutes also leads initiatives to improve access to integrated mental health care and has been a strong advocate for expanding publicly funded psychological services in Canada.

Session Summary

This session explores the evidence supporting the Small Changes Approach to behaviour change treatment as a sustainable alternative to traditional weight management strategies for people living with obesity and other chronic health and mental health conditions. Participants will review the current health landscape in Canada, the evolution of evidence-based treatment for people living with obesity over the past 40 years, including the recent advancements in biologics. We will introduce the theoretical foundations of the Small Changes treatment approach as an alternative to traditional treatment approaches. Evidence from RCTs across diverse populations will be presented, along with a detailed review of each treatment session. Clinicians will then engage in applied group exercises learning how to successfully implement and tailor this treatment approach to improve long-term mental and physical health outcomes in patients.

MPS celebrates the sponsors who made this event possible:


This event is CPA Accredited 

Contact us at ContEd.MPS@gmail.com about sponsorship and marketing opportunities for this event!

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