Counselling Psychology as a Career NIBPS

1. Counselling Psychology as a CareerNIBPS/PSI Joint Careers Event28/02/2009 Dr. Donal McAteer Chartered Counselling Psychologist Adult Psychological Therapies Service Western Health and Social Care Trust 1

2. Outline What is Counselling Psychology? What do Counselling Psychologists do? Where do Counselling Psychologists work? Salary? Training Where can I train? What type of course? What do I need to do to help me get onto a course? Application � what are they looking for? What should I expect at interview? What should I expect from training itself? 2

3. What is Counselling Psychology? A branch of applied psychology that focuses on: Personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan A holistic view of emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental and organisational concerns The delivery of evidence-based psychological therapy The potential for development and growth of all clients 3

4. What is Counselling Psychology? The BPS states: Counselling Psychology is distinctive in its competence in the psychological therapies, being firmly rooted in the discipline of psychology whilst emphasizing the importance of the therapeutic relationship and process. It continues to develop models of practice and research which marry the scientific demand for rigorous empirical enquiry with a firm value base grounded in the primacy of the counselling/psychotherapeutic relationship. 4

5. What is Counselling Psychology? Continued: It is now considered a well established branch of applied professional psychology concerned with the integration of psychological theory and research with therapeutic practice. Counselling Psychology competencies are grounded in values that aim to empower those who use their services, and places high priority on anti-discriminatory practice, social and cultural context and ethical decision-making. 5

6. What is Counselling Psychology? Emphasis on the �use of self�: Requires a high level of self-awareness and competence in relating the skills and knowledge of personal and interpersonal dynamics to the therapeutic context. Requires an understanding and acceptance of one�s personal history combined with an explicit use of psychological theories to analyse the process of a particular therapy, or counselling situation. Engaging in personal therapy. 6

7. What do Counselling Psychologists do? Help people with physical, emotional, behavioural and psychological �disorders� Help people improve their well-being Alleviate distress and maladjustment Resolve crises Increase clients� abilities to live more highly functioning lives 7

8. What do Counselling Psychologists do? Chartered Counselling Psychologists work therapeutically with clients with a variety of problems (for example, the effects of childhood sexual abuse, relationship breakdown, domestic violence, major trauma) and/or symptoms of psychological disorder (such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis). They offer an active collaborative relationship which can both facilitate the exploration of underlying issues and can empower people to confront change. 8

9. Who do they work with? Counselling Psychologists can work with individuals, couples, families or groups of all ages across the lifespan. 9

10. Most common activities include: Provision of psychological therapy, which includes: Assessment � whereby the psychologist seeks to gain an understanding of the difficulties from the client�s perspective, taking into account the wider context. Formulation � developing an explanation of how and why the particular difficulties have arisen and are experienced by the client. Planning and implementing a course of psychological therapy Evaluating the outcome of the therapy. 10

11. Other key tasks: Management of services in the NHS, public/private sectors Supervision and training of other counselling psychologists, assistants, and related professions Multidisciplinary team work and team facilitation Service and organisational development Audit and evaluation Research and development 11

12. Where do Counselling Psychologists work? NHS services: primary care, Community Mental Health Teams, tertiary settings for psychiatric in-patients, specialist services for older adults, those with eating disorders, personality disorders, learning difficulties, and in general health care settings where psychological services are offered. Prison and probation services Social services 12

13. Where do Counselling Psychologists work? Voluntary/charitable organisations Employee assistance programmes Occupational health departments Student counselling departments Private practice 13

14. Salary? Those Counselling Psychologist�s who are working in National Health Service must have Chartered Psychologist status with the BPS � the PSI and BPS are currently looking at this. Pay scales are the same for all Applied Psychologists working in the NHS � Clinical, Educational, etc � if working in Trusts or Education Authorities. Start on �30,000 and can go up to �80,000. Private independent consultancy work ranges from �30,000 per year to �80,000 depending on how much work you take on. Usually, NHS employers� criteria will request a Counselling Psychologist to either possess chartered status or be registered to be working towards it. 14

15. Postgraduate Training in Counselling Psychology There are many similarities to the work conducted by clinical psychologists. Some of the differences can be seen within the training. The training required to become a counselling psychologist tends to be more focused on personal insight, awareness of the use of self in practice and the relationship with the client. This is evident in the emphasis on personal development and personal therapy in particular. Another difference is that clinical psychology trainees are paid while they train and counselling psychologist trainees pay their own fees and expenses � therefore there tends to be more flexibility in their training. See this very useful link on careers in Counselling Psychology, salaries explained, and requirements for training: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/downloads/occprofiles/profile_pdfs/B3_Counselling_psychologist.pdf 15

16. Postgraduate Training in Counselling Psychology Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (PSI) Trinity College Dublin, 3 years full-time MA in Counselling Psychology (PSI) University College Cork, 2 years full-time Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (BPS) � 3 years full time City University, Glasgow Caledonian, Metropolitan, Metanoia, Regent�s College, Roehampton, Strathclyde, East London, Surrey, Teeside, West of England, Wolverhampton Currently no training available in NI (Chartership for working in NHS � PSI and BPS looking at this) 16

17. Entry Criteria to Postgraduate Training Undergraduate Psychology Degree (PSI/BPS Accredited) Generally 2.1 or higher required Beneficial (Not always necessary): Experience in emotionally demanding helping role (e.g. Assistant Psychologist, voluntary sector work) Counselling Skills training Evidence of Personal Development Work (e.g. personal therapy) 17

18. The Application Personal statement should aim to discuss areas such as these: That you have a clear understanding of what Counselling Psychology is and what it stands for. Somehow getting a message across that you understand what integrative therapy is, i.e. having knowledge and competence of working with more than one model of therapy. An example might be using the person centred model as your foundation and utilising other approaches with your client, such as psychodynamic therapy, CBT or systemic psychotherapy. Your personal qualities, personal values/moral beliefs about human beings; how reflective are you as a person? Are you self-aware and are you sensitive about the way in which you interact with other people? Consider respect for difference/ race/religion etc. Your research ideas � be clear and have thought this through a little. 18

19. The Interview Usually A group task interview (how you interact with others) A personal one-to-one interview (you as a person) A panel interview (your knowledge of Co P and research). All assessing You as a person � self-awareness/reflection Your knowledge of Co P Your knowledge of psychological therapies Your research plans and what you think about being a �scientist practitioner�? Prepare also by reading up-to-date journals, especially the BPS Counselling Psychology Review, for current developments etc. 19

20. 3-Year Doctoral Training Block of intensive skills training in first semester. Then it is usually 2/3 days placement (3 year-long placements over three years in different areas) 1-2 days at University Need to undergo personal therapy Supervision either on placement or externally. Can have placement here in NI. Costs approx �5000 per year x 3 years Doctorate, but this can vary. Can work as a Psychological therapist/assistant and be allowed day release for training. This helps payment of fees. 20

21. Some Components of Postgraduate Training Skills Training � video work, role-play, skills training workshops Theories and Approaches (and Advanced) Working with specific client groups Assessment Procedures and Psychometrics Research Projects Personal development � therapy, group process Practical components � placements, individual supervision, group supervision 21

22. Elements of Students� Assessment Personal Learning Reports Theoretical Essays Process Reports and Case Studies (inc. detailed analysis of transcribed sample of session work) Unseen Exams Research projects and literature review Practical Video Exams On-going assessment in supervision/skills training Placement Assessments with Supervisor 22

23. Thank you for listening and good luck If you need any help: Contact: Karen Kirby k.kirby@ulster.ac.uk 02871 375109 Donal McAteer donal.mcateer@westerntrust.hscni.net 02871 320143 23