TMU Psychology chair Martin Antony appointed to the Order of Ontario

Arts psychology professor and department chair Martin Antony was named as one of 29 civilians appointed for the 2024 Order of Ontario (external link) . As the province’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Ontario recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals whose work has demonstrated an enduring local, national and global impact. 

Reserved for individuals with remarkable qualities evidenced by their high-level contributions to various fields—across the arts, science, public service, business, technology, health care, and more—appointees to the Order of Ontario demonstrate inspiring merit and a commitment to enhancing the lives of others. 

Martin Antony is director of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Anxiety Research and Treatment Lab (external link) , former Psychology Graduate Program Director, and Director of Clinical Training. He also served as the former president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (2019-2020) and the Canadian Psychological Association (2009-2010). Currently, Antony is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (external link)  and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (external link) .

Acclaimed for his expertise in evidence-based treatment for anxiety-related disorders, Martin Antony continues to have international reach. His research spans over 300 academic publications, including over 30 books dedicated to individual and clinical use. Antony’s research and publications focus on cognitive-behavioural therapy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, and perfectionism. Antony’s outstanding contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including career awards from the American and Canadian Psychological Associations and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. At TMU, Antony has received numerous Dean’s Scholarly, Research, and Creative Activity (SRC) Awards, recognizing his academic achievements and substantial impact within his discipline. 

Sharing on his new appointment to the Order of Ontario, Antony remarked: “It is a little bit different than other kinds of accolades that academics tend to get…we might get rewarded for different research accomplishments, and I think what's nice about [The Order of Ontario] is that it's broader than that.” Antony continues, “I feel like this is recognition that some of the work I'm doing is reaching people outside of just academia.”

While Antony’s books and publications have evidenced a profound impact on the academic community, he also noted that he is most proud of “translating research into skills that people can use in their everyday life.” 

Throughout his distinguished career, Antony has dedicated himself to enhancing the field by helping develop psychology programs. “When I reflect on some of the things that I've done over the years that may have contributed to my appointment in the Order of Ontario,” Antony remarked, “I'm most proud of building new programs.” At TMU, Antony became the founding director of the Master’s and PhD programs in psychology—both of which continue to flourish in advancing socially relevant curricula balanced with theory and practice. Antony was also the provincial Clinical Lead for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program (external link) , a program dedicated to offering free, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural therapies to adults across the province. 

Antony’s achievements testify to his continued devotion to enhancing research, fostering collaborations, and supporting the continued development of treatments and research aimed at helping individuals with anxiety-related disorders. As a recipient of the Order of Ontario, Antony continues to inspire Ontarians and the TMU community with the enduring legacy of his work.

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