Handbook for Provisional Psychologists in Training

Psychological Practice and Supervision

Alexa Kambouropoulos, Connie Harris

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781000597523
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Psicologia
• Subtopic: Storia e teoria della psicologia

This book provides provisional psychologists in training with a comprehensive and practical understanding of the specific skills and competencies required in the profession, during placement and beyond, in varied settings.

Handbook for Provisional Psychologists in Training supports the personal and professional development of provisional psychologists undertaking the Master of Professional Psychology and brings together current research findings with practical insights and resources. It covers all aspects of practice for trainees, such as establishing professional relationships and maintaining professional boundaries, applying evidence-based theory to practice, utilisation of psychological treatments, communicating with clients about treatment, making referrals and self-reflective practice. It also enables provisional psychologists to prepare for psychological practice in varied settings, including working with children, adults, and diverse populations.

This book will be helpful to all provisional psychologists but particularly those undertaking the Master of Professional Psychology 5+1 pathway.

1Preparing for psychological practice

DOI: 10.4324/9781003161127-1

1.1 Introduction

Congratulations! You have successfully been accepted into a postgraduate psychology programme (Master of Professional Psychology 5+1) having completed the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited fourth-year course in psychology. The Master of Professional Psychology (MPP) is an APAC accredited fifth-year degree that has been designed specifically to meet APAC and Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) guidelines for such course. Graduates of the MPP are eligible to continue their registration as a provisional psychologist to undertake sixth-year Psychology Board +1 Internship Program to complete the final requirements of the 5+1 pathway to general registration as a psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The aim of this chapter is to provide specific and detailed practical information to students with a focus on precourse commencement preparation in relation to how to obtain provisional registration through AHPRA, prepare and plan other documents such as Police Check and Working with Children Check which are part of the requirement before resuming the course. The chapter will also assist trainees in pre-practicum preparation when considering undertaking a clinical placement in various psychological settings. This includes how to present a compelling cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV) to a potential placement agency provider and prepare for an interview to assist in securing a placement for training in the coming months of the academic course. Finally, the chapter includes other considerations that provisional psychologists need to reflect on for the commencement of their psychological practice. This includes the following:

• How to define your role as a provisional psychologist at placement
• Developing a good understanding of the service delivery procedures, such as the referral process, types of forms required before commencement of therapy such as consent, confidentiality, and release of information
• How to write client case notes using various methods such as SOAP and/or PROC
• Completing logbooks satisfactorily to satisfy APAC and PsyBA requirements
• How to prepare for mid and final placement performance reviews
• How to terminate clients

1.2 Precourse preparation

1.2.1 Provisional registration

Prior to commencing the coursework component of the Master of Professional Psychology, students must be registered as provisional psychologists with the AHPRA. Undertaking the completion of this application can be onerous and often requires considerable input of time. Students are strongly advised to start their application process as soon as possible they receive a letter confirming their enrolment in the course. Once you have received your provisional registration, the original copy plus a photocopy must be presented to the education provider you are enrolled in. It is worthy to note that provisional psychologists’ registration needs to be renewed annually. Without an up-to-date registration, trainees are not permitted to continue with their placements as it is unlawful. Information regarding the application process can be obtained from:

www.psychologyboard.gov.au/registration.aspx

1.2.2 Police check

Many placement host agencies and schools require students to pass a Police Check prior to being accepted for placement. Students are responsible to secure this themselves and are advised to allow up to three weeks for its process. Also, note that if your Police Check is 12 months after issue, you will need to provide a statutory declaration stating that there have been no disclosable court outcomes since the original date of the Police Check. Information about the application is available from:

www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274

Students are eligible for a reduced fee if the University and/or Institute they are enrolled in validates the form. It is important to submit your form to either the Placement Administrative Support Officer or Academic Registrar for validation. Once your Police Check has been approved, the original copy plus a photocopy must be presented to University/Institute reception who will certify the copy and scan it to the Placement Administrative Support Officer to keep on file.

1.2.3 Working with Children Check

As of June 30, 2008, it is mandatory for all psychologists working with children to hold a current Working with Children Check (WWW). As you may be working with children as a provisional psychologist, it is expected that you apply for a check, keeping in mind that it is free (you can select the ‘volunteer’ box). Information about the application of WWW is available from:

www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

Similarly, once the WWW has been approved, the original plus a photocopy must be presented to the University/Institution reception desk who will certify the copy and scan it to the Placement Administrative Support Officer to keep on file.

1.3 Practicum preparation

1.3.1 Guide to applying for placement

With the large number of postgraduate psychology programmes across the state of Victoria requiring the completion of placement to meet the requirements of regulatory bodies such as APAC and/or the PsyBA, placements have become very competitive, and students compete with other students across many universities for placement positions. Further, placement agencies are very selective of who they invite to complete a placement within their services, and the interview selection process has become a very rigorous one. Hence, there is a great value in the thought and care that needs to be invested into the pre-preparation for placement. This section will provide some practical advice in the process of planning.

1.3.2 Preparing cover letter

When applying for a placement, most placement providers (agencies/schools) will require the submission of a cover letter and CV. In the planning stage, prepare a professional style cover letter to suit the agency and/or educational institution to which you are applying. The cover letter should:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the work conducted at the agency/school
• Suggest how this placement could enhance your practical training
• What you bring to the situation/placement
• What you hope to gain from being placed there

The cover letter is generally short, concise, and one page in length. An example is provided for your purposes in Appendix 1.1

1.3.3 Preparing the curriculum vitae

In preparing your CV, be mindful of key headings that should be included: for example, contact details, educational qualification, current employment, employment history, scholarships and awards, membership of professional organisations, and training workshops attended. Remember that the reader will be a very busy person and does not need an extensive description of the work you have done and ideally, keep it uncluttered. There are many excellent examples provided for your use on career websites.

1.3.3 Preparing for the interview

One of the most challenging aspects of preparing for potential placement(s) is the interview with the chosen agency the educational institution has organised for you. Our personal experiences as placements and course coordinators of the Professional Psychology programme, this process lends itself to pre-preparation and planning on your part as a trainee. Some practical advice to assist in your interview preparation are as follows:

1. 1Find out as much information as possible about the agency/school that you have applied to and have a very good understanding of what particularly attracted you to this placement. For example, is it the type of services it offers to clients; the presentations of clients and/or age group of which you are keen to work with? Or is it the mission and v...