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Careers in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Careers in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY. Veronica Hutchings, PhD Registered Psychologist Capital District Health Authority Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre. How did I become interested in Psychology? I hated needles… Why is Psychology so fascinating?

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Careers in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

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  1. Careers inCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Veronica Hutchings, PhD Registered Psychologist Capital District Health Authority Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre

  2. How did I become interested in Psychology? • I hated needles… Why is Psychology so fascinating? • If you like/are interested in something, you can study it in psychology!

  3. Health Developmental Mathematical Cognitive Social Biological Learning Evolutionary Forensic Educational / School Abnormal Testing & Measurement Personality Counseling Sports Industrial/Organizational Sensation / Perception Positive Some Areas in Psychology

  4. The Clinical Psychologist

  5. Academic degree (Ph.D. or masters*) Don’t prescribe meds (this might change) Psychotherapy (i.e., “talk” therapy), p & p tests Treat problems within a wide range of severity Usually set hours Medical Degree (M.D. psychiatric residency) Usually prescribe meds May conduct psychotherapy Treat those with severe mental health issues On call Clinical Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist

  6. The path to becoming a clinical psychologist – step 1 The Honours Degree (BA or BSc; 4 years) • Gives you a broad base in psychology • E.g., developmental, social, personality, abnormal, learning, cognition, bio/neuropsychological, history of psychology, statistics, research design, emotions, etc. • Volunteer in research labs • Gets you experience and letters of ref!!! • Conduct Honours Thesis • your very own research project …YAY!

  7. The path to becoming a clinical psychologist – step 2 The Masters Degree (MA or MSc; 2 years) Advanced Courses in: Assessment, Interventions, Psychopathology, Ethics, Research Methods & Design, and Statistics • Clinical Experience Practica • Assess / Treat real people with real problems • Masters Thesis • Another research project – this time a little bigger

  8. The path to becoming a clinical psychologist – step 3 The Doctoral Degree (PhD; 4-6 years) • Additional advanced courses in Assessment, Interventions, Psychopathology, Psychometrics • Clinical Practica & Year long internship • The match! • Dissertation • This project proves you’re the expert! • You’ve added to the theoretical and empirical knowledge base in your area

  9. The path to becoming a clinical psychologist – step 4 Registration (process depends on province/education) In Nova Scotia: • Apply (transcripts, letters of reference) • Candidates’ Register • Period of Supervision • 4 years after Masters; 1 year after PhD • Examination of Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) • Oral Ethics/Jurisprudence Exam

  10. Hospital-Based Psychology Careers • Usually Monday-Friday, 9-5 (8-4) job • Interdisciplinary team member vs. Consultant • Committees & research • ~60-80% of time is clinical work (including lots of documentation) • Income security, pension, benefits, & FUN activities! Gross Salary at Capital Health • Masters: 63,000-86,000/yr • Doctoral: 83,000-117,000/yr

  11. What do Clinical Psychologists at Capital Health do? That depends on whether s/he is a: • Mental Health Psychologist • Neuropsychologist • Health Psychologist

  12. Clinical Mental Health Psychology • Stereotypical “Psychologist” • Mental Health diagnosis is primary reason for being seen • Depression / Suicide attempt • Anxiety • Bipolar (manic-depression) • Eating Disorders • Schizophrenia • Usually work in a hospital or mental health clinic, PhD may be required

  13. Clinical Neuropsychology • Assessing brain functioning • CT scan tells you what the brain looks like • Neuropsych Ax tells you what the brain can do • Treatments to improve functioning following brain injury • E.g., Computerized cognitive re-training • Usually work in a hospital or rehabilitation facility, PhD usually required

  14. Neuropsychological Assessment Examples of Areas Assessed • Attention: digit span • Memory: word lists, short stories • Language: naming pictures • Visual Spatial: copying figures

  15. Assessment Examples • Attention: digit span • Memory: word lists, short stories • Language: naming pictures • Visual Spatial: copying figures • Executive Functions: Stroop Effect

  16. Read the words Read the words Red green purple blue Orange Blue purple red orange green Orange red blue green purple Green Red green purple blue Orange Blue purple red orange green Orange red blue green purple Green

  17. Name the colour of the blocks Name the colour of the blocks

  18. Name the colour of the ink – do not read the words bluepurpleredorange greenredgreenblue purpleorangeblue green purple redorangered

  19. Clinical Health Psychology • Assess and treat individuals who have health problems • E.g., MS, organ failure, ABI, STIs, cancer, diabetes, pain, insomnia, GI issues, dementia, heart disease, etc. • Behaviour modification / motivational enhancement • Mental health issues may be secondary to, or co-morbid with, health problems • Usually work in a hospital or medical clinic, PhD may be required

  20. My typical week • Monday: reports, committee work & dept meetings • 8-10 assessment/therapy clients, CG & EAD groups • Supervision • patient rounds & consultation, • documentation, • professional development, • research

  21. Assessment • Presenting Problem • Medical History • Family & Social Support • Education & Work • Previous Mental Health Issues • Lifestyle • Leisure Interests • Goals

  22. Therapy Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Interpersonal Therapy Emotion-Focused Acceptance-Based Therapy Humanistic / Client-Centered CBT

  23. Other Career Options

  24. Academia • University Professor • Assistant Prof, Associate Prof, Prof • Conduct Research, supervise honours/graduate students research projects, teach • If clinical/counseling, may supervise clinical students in training clinics / counselling centres

  25. Other Reseach Career Options • Bachelor, Masters or PhD – depends on the position! • Possible Duties: • Administer surveys / collect data • Program evaluation • Project / Lab co-ordinator • Design research projects to answer a ? • Create questionnaires & analyse data

  26. Psychometrist • Bachelor or Masters degree • Works under a psychologist, usually a neuropsychologist • Administers and scores tests • Conduct treatments under the supervision of psychologist Salary at Capital Health • $55,000-70,000

  27. Private Practice Psychologist • Self-employed or part of group • 100% of time is clinical work • Fee for service • Usually 3rd party payers (insurance) • Full time = ~25 billable hours/week Individual Therapy: ~$140-155/hour Neuropsych Assessment: ~$2500-3000

  28. Thanks! For more info contact me at: Psychology: QEII Capital District Health AuthorityQEII Health Sciences Centre4th floor, Abbie J Lane Building, Suite 40605909 Veteran’s Memorial Lane Halifax, Nova Scotia   B3H 2E2Phone: (902) 473-4788  Fax: (902) 473-4873veronica.hutchings@cdha.nshealth.ca

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