Entering the Clinical Psychology PhD program at UBC Okanagan, Marcus Gottlieb was driven by a clear sense of purpose and an equally clear sense of fit. Drawn foremost by the opportunity to work with Dr. Jessica Lougheed—whose innovative research he had long admired—he found in their early conversations the mentorship he hoped would shape his next five years. What sealed the decision, however, was UBCO’s unique balance: a community intimate enough that students are known as individuals, yet large and dynamic enough for their work to carry meaningful impact.
Why did you choose to study at UBC Okanagan?
I came here for one main reason: to work with Dr. Jessica Lougheed. I’d followed her research for a while, found it innovative and very much in my wheelhouse, and felt I could add something useful in her lab. From our first conversation, it was clear she was someone I wanted to learn from for the next five years. The bonus has been UBCO’s size sweet spot: small enough that people actually know you, yet big enough that the work has real impact.
What program are you in and what specifically attracted you to it?
I’m in the Clinical Psychology PhD program. Like many people, I wanted to help those who were struggling with their functioning; I wanted to develop the proper tools to do so. During my undergraduate degree, I learned that there were numerous ways to achieve this, including both through research and clinical work. So, I was drawn to the genuine balance between clinical training and research here at UBCO. Many programs pay lip service to this, but it felt genuine here.
Clinically, the training extends far beyond basic therapy skills—I’ve learned to work with complex populations and match specific, evidence-based treatments to the individuals who actually walk through the door. It has made me a well-rounded clinician with both depth and breadth in all the right areas. On the research side, I saw a chance to strengthen family-systems work by bringing fathers into the parenting equation—too often, they’re an afterthought. Clinical Psychology at UBCO takes the scientist-practitioner model seriously; we do both, and we show how they inform each other every day.
What opportunities has the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences provided you with?
I’ve spoken at and helped host speaker series, built connections with faculty and grad students across disciplines, and attended and presented at major national and international conferences. Those three-day conference sprints have been among the most formative periods of my training. FASS backed that with funding and mentorship, which turned those “you should go” conversations into “you can go.” I recommend taking advantage of any and all of those opportunities— of course, with the help of FASS.
Have any specific faculty members or classes helped to shape your academic journey?
This is easily my favourite part of UBCO. Every clinical supervisor has shaped me in a different, memorable way. Thank you to Drs. Jessica Driscoll, Harry Miller, Zach Walsh, Jamie Piercy, Chris Wilson, and Kimberly Kreklewetz. In research, Drs. Jessica Lougheed, Lesley Lutes, and Carolyn Szostak have been foundational to my learning. Supervisors have different voices, to be sure, but they share the same throughline: high standards paired with genuine warmth. It’s a great combination when you’re learning hard things.
What has been the best surprise about UBCO?
Like anything in life, for me, the people make or break an experience. The graduate students here are kind, collaborative, and just the right amount of nerdy. Faculty are engaged, welcoming, and generous with their time. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t as good as this has turned out to be. Also, the Okanagan has a way of turning a post-clinic walk into a postcard. Hard to complain about that.
What advice would you give your younger self about the university experience?
Take it one step at a time: one week, one assignment, one milestone. The start-of-term syllabus can make anyone’s heart rate spike, let alone the start of program expectations. I find that zooming too far out feeds anxiety. Keep your focus on the next small piece, and it adds up faster than you think. Also, value creating and maintaining experiences out of the campus bubble; it’s easy to forget you’re more than a student.
What type of career are you considering after graduation?
A career that blends clinical work and research. Clinically, I see myself in a publicly funded setting—hospital or community—working with young people whose day-to-day well-being has been knocked off course, especially around substance use and trauma-related concerns. On the research side, I aim to partner with organizations to conduct work that directly enhances services for underserved populations. If I can’t see how the research helps people in clinics or communities, I think it’ll be hard for me to get excited about it. Most importantly, whatever I do, advocacy for access will be part of it. We know therapy can really help people, but it is almost irrelevant because too many people can’t access it or receive a watered-down version. Closing that gap matters to me.
What are some of your future goals?
Continue to build publicly funded mental health care that is accessible, effective, and grounded in evidence. I aim to contribute at two levels: in the room (through therapy and assessments) and at the systems level, through program evaluation, policy development, and advocacy. Helping one person matters; helping the system help thousands is the multiplier I’m after.
What do you do for fun outside of the classroom?
Sports are my happy place. I live and die with the Philadelphia Eagles, Toronto Raptors, and—deep breath—the Toronto Blue Jays. I also play a lot of squash, volleyball, and basketball. It’s my version of mindfulness, just with a scoreboard and occasional chirping.
Who have you learned the most from (professionally or personally)?
As much as he may cringe reading this, Dr. Zach Walsh. Clinically, his voice is constantly in my head—in a good way—when I’m making tough calls. A few of his one-liners from supervision are etched into my memory (and possibly onto my arm via a tattoo). I’ve been lucky to learn from many mentors, but his blend of clinical clarity, humility, and humour has been especially influential.