Provincial Anger Research Clinic (PARC)

PARC provides specialized and comprehensive assessment and treatment for individuals with anger related problems.

The overall aim of this proposed first study of the program is to provide both diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for dysfunctional, suppressed, and impulsive types of anger in women and men.

The objectives of this study are:

• Characterize the temporal integration during interoception and multisensory stimulus processing in relation to the sense of self to provide both diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for dysfunctional anger participants compared to healthy participants. In other words, to study awareness of bodily sensation and brain activity.
• Evaluate the modulating effect of 12-week anger focused Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) psychotherapy on neuronal, psychiological, and psychological correlates as a measure of the efficacy of the intervention.
• Explore the effect of sex on behavioural and neuronal correlates of anger to propose optimal care in terms of diagnosis and treatments.

Virtual Intensive Substance (Use) Treatment Outpatient Program (ViSTOP)

ViSTOP is an innovative three-phase intervention program delivered over nine to 12 months by a trained interdisciplinary team with the aim being to reduce substance use and recidivism by providing care and treatment equivalent to that available to all Saskatchewan residents. 

Our proposed project aims to evaluate the impact of ViSTOP on the successful rehabilitation of patients with substance use disorder (SUD) in the criminal justice system. 

The objective of this project are:

• To evaluate the impact and treatment outcomes of ViSTOP on substance use consumption, mental health symptoms, functional difficulties due to health/mental health conditions, criminal offenses and recidivism.
• To examine if patients' attitudes, beliefs, and readiness for change are associated with treatment outcomes at the end of the program.
• To evaulate if the program is implemented as planned and achieves the desired outputs regarding program fidelity and capacity, patient engagement and service utility.

Dr. AG Ahmed has a background in forensic psychiatry, along with master's degrees in psychological medicine, drug use and addictions and health law. He has trained mental health professionals across North America and Africa, including clinicians at the World Health Organization's Centre for Reserach and Training in Mental Health. Dr. Ahmed joined the department of psychiatry as a professor and provincial department head of psychiatry in 2022. His research interests and clinical practice include the assessment and treatment of patients with major mental disorders, dysfunctional anger and aggression and psychotherapy in forensic settings.

See his research at Google Scholar.