“Inside Clinical” Series, Episode 4
By Dr. John Lee, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology (University of Waterloo)
With Joseph Ghanem, fourth-year PhD student in Clinical Psychology at McGill University
Meet Joseph
Our fourth guest in our Inside Clinical series is Joseph Ghanem, a 4th-year PhD student in clinical psychology at McGill University in Montreal. Once an eager grad school applicant, Joseph has come a long way. If you're stressed about applying, his story might be just what you need.
After completing his undergraduate studies at the American University of Beirut, Joseph moved to Canada during a time of economic crisis in Lebanon. Through persistence, mentorship, and a growing passion for research, he forged his way into graduate school and a career combining clinical work, academic research, and personal meaning.
“I feel like back then I was so hard on myself, like many undergrads are today.”
Today, Joseph is studying long-term outcomes in psychosis and schizophrenia, investigating what happens 10 to 15 years after individuals receive early intervention and after their first episodes. And while the life of a PhD student can be intense, Joseph makes room for what brings him joy outside the lab, like strumming his guitar, traveling to conferences in places like Florence, Copenhagen, and Chicago, and unwinding with a good TV show.
From Beirut to McGill: Joseph’s Journey
Joseph's journey to McGill wasn’t perfectly planned, but was driven by a desire to research severe mental illness and a willingness to take chances.
After arriving in Canada, he applied to multiple research assistant positions, with the hope of gaining local experience. Eventually, he landed a position in a psychosis research lab at the Douglas Institute, affiliated with McGill. While he initially worried that coming from outside Canada and lacking personal faculty connections would be a disadvantage, working with McGill-affiliated researchers helped bridge that gap.
By the time he got into a clinical psychology program, Joseph had completed two years of post-undergrad research, gained strong reference letters, and, importantly, developed a real passion for psychosis and schizophrenia research.
“Really going above and beyond the responsibilities that were highlighted on my job description was really helpful because they were like, this student seems really curious and enthusiastic and interested about research, which are the main qualities people look for as a grad student.”
He only applied to McGill University…and it worked out, though he has different advice for new applicants:
“I applied just here. Yes, that's terrible advice. What I would say is that I recommend applying to eight to 10 places.”
Finding Your Fit
Though Joseph had long been drawn to severe mental illness, it wasn’t until he got hands-on experience as a research assistant that his passion really came into focus.
“I was interested in severe mental illness as a whole. Back then, I wasn't sure if it was going to be psychosis…once I got it, I started to like it even more and more, I was like, okay, I can see myself doing this for the next five to six years.”
In this lab, he saw how passionate, supportive supervisors could shape a student's development and love for research. It helped him understand what he wanted to study and the kind of program he could thrive in.
“I have really good mentors that I got really close to who are excellent, excellent researchers, really passionate about what they do. And I started to really love working in psychosis and schizophrenia research. I found it really meaningful. So I tried my best to get to do my PhD in that same environment.”
Today, he continues that research while also completing a clinical placement in mood disorders, anxiety, and neuropsychology, showing how versatile a clinical psychology program can be.
The Application: What’s Important & What’s Not
Joseph’s biggest takeaway? Perfection is not required.
“I was worried about having the perfect statement of purpose and having the perfect CV with the perfect format, which I realized in hindsight is not as important. Those little details are not as important as I thought.”
What he does find to be essential to a competitive application, though, are strong letters of reference.
“It's the only way they [the application committee] can see how their own peers, like other supervisors, see you and describe you…they want to see that someone reliable, someone has done good work, someone who's conscientious.”
While some may apply to these programs directly after undergrad, Joseph says waiting gave him time to gain experience, strengthen his application, and clarify his interests.
“I think it's actually better to get some experience after undergrad for a few reasons. One, you'd most likely be more competitive. Two, you give yourself a chance to see if you really like research. And then maybe you're like, if I still really love it, then I can probably do five more years.”
Looking back, he encourages students to be proactive in pursuing opportunities to publish, though it is not required for acceptance.
“I would have tried to be more proactive in publishing. If you can have a first author publication going in, it’s a very strong asset. But it's unlikely, and it's very difficult to get a first author paper.”
Although it is also not required, another lesser-known tip is to apply for funding if possible (Joseph has his own CIHR grant).
“The reason people say that it's important to get funding or have applied for funding before getting in is that sometimes the supervisor wants to take a student, but they don't have the funding to take a student. It adds credibility to your CV that you're someone who's able to get funding because you're going to be applying for them as you go through your PhD.”
Inside the Interview:
Having sat on both sides of the admissions interview, first as an applicant and later as a current graduate student, Joseph shared unique, key tips on how to approach the interview process.
#1: Be clear in your academic interests, but not too rigid. He warns against having too broad or generic an interest, such as saying you’re interested in just “schizophrenia.” However, if the interest is too narrow, the committee may not think your interests can be honored in the program.
“It could be that the supervisor doesn't have that type of grant to do exactly like negative symptoms and hippocampal volume, you know what I mean?...Of course, be authentic about your interests and what you want to do, but make sure it's a good fit with that program.”
#2: Do your homework. Look into the faculty and their current projects and past works. Be prepared to explain why you are a good fit into that specific program.
“A common mistake is they haven't researched the faculty and the program very well before. Is it just another interview you're doing because you have like twelve? Or are you actually interested in that program?”
#3: Express genuine enthusiasm and curiosity regarding the program and your interests. Describing past research experiences lends an opportunity to reflect on its meaning and detail what you have learned from the experience.
The interview allows the program committee to see the person behind the CVs and transcripts. They are not only choosing a talented student, they’re also selecting a long-term colleague.
“One of the things they're trying to assess at the interview is also your interpersonal skills. Are you someone who's comfortable talking with the other person? Are you pleasant to be around? Also, are you someone who's receptive to feedback?”
#4: And above all, be real. Joseph emphasizes that nerves are normal, and they can actually help you connect with the interviewer.
“Remember that being anxious is normal and that it makes you human, and in my opinion, more authentic. The faculty or whoever is interviewing you knows that you're going to be a bit nervous.”
If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so and show that you're curious and eager to learn. And remember to take snack and water breaks if you’re given them (something Joseph forgot to do on his interview day).
Looking Ahead: Joseph’s Vision for the Future
One of Joseph’s passions is mentorship, which he credits as a huge part of his success and now prioritizes in his own work. He now supervises undergraduate theses, participates in mentorship networks, and stays involved with students navigating applications, interviews, and lab placements.
“And one of my favorite things is like sharing something I wish I knew back then, I just love it. ‘Cause back then also when I was applying, I did get a lot of help from people who were in programs. And so I was like, okay, I'm gonna do the exact same thing when I make it.”
As he moves toward the end of his PhD, Joseph hopes to work as a researcher and a clinician, ideally in a hospital setting.
“So in the future, I do see myself doing research, but also clinical work. And I'm really passionate about research in psychosis and schizophrenia.”
He loves living in Montreal and hopes to stay, but will follow academic opportunities. If you’re considering McGill, he points out that the psychology department is very supportive and well-connected with clinical settings.
“The faculty is very supportive and there's a lot of opportunities around campus…In terms of the psychology department specifically, if you have a question, you need something, the faculty is there for you and I really like that. They're super welcoming.”
He may be attending Canadian Psychological Association Convention in 2026, held in Montreal. If you’re going, keep an eye out, you might just meet him in person.
Final Words of Wisdom
For students feeling overwhelmed by the application process or pessimistic about their chances, Joseph’s advice is simple but powerful.
“First of all, talking to other grad students, like watching or reading about my experience, about other people's experiences. The second thing is that you always get another shot. So reapply, get more research experience, network more, go to more conferences, be proactive about the things that you can control.”
Whether your path is a PhD, a PsyD, or another mental health career, he encourages students to stay curious, excited, and kind to themselves.
“There are ways to get into the field. And so don't get discouraged. Stay interested. Stay passionate. I know it can be hard, especially if you've applied many times, but if it's something that you really, really want, I would just keep working at it.”
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