Requirements for Admission to Clinical Psychology Training

1. Empathy and a person-centred approach to clients

2. Tolerance of stress

3. The ability to recognise your own limitations and respond to difficult situations

4. The ability to apply your knowledge of academic psychology and research to clinical problems

5. The capacity to be critical and analytical and to work in a self-motivated, independent way

6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to deal with people in distress

7. The ability to collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines

8. The determination to succeed

9. A strong understanding of the profession and the role of a clinical psychologist, and an awareness of current NHS issues.

Task 19. Read the requirements to become a clinical psychologist. Fill in the table to placing each requirement under the appropriate heading. Then answer the following questions:

What skills do clinical psychologists need to have?

What knowledge do clinical psychologists need to have?

What do clinical psychologists need to be like?

Skills

Knowledge

Personal Qualities

Able to relate to people from a range of cultures; specialist skills in assessing behaviour such as neuropsychological, personality and child-assessment skills; knowledge of human behaviour and thought; able to relate to people from a range of cultures; skill in providing the appropriate treatment or therapy for clients; listening and interviewing skills, including skill using different interviewing methods; patient, and adaptable in their approaches to people and their problems; understanding and concerned for others; observant; up-to-date knowledge of theories on aetiology (causes of disorders) and clinical psychology research; able to work well under pressure; good people and communication skills; able to inspire confidence in others and keep information private; research and report-writing skills.

Key:

1. Skills & knowledge

Clinical psychologists need to have:

• knowledge of human behaviour and thought

• specialist skills in assessing behaviour such as neuropsychological, personality and child-assessment skills

• skill in providing the appropriate treatment or therapy for clients

• up-to-date knowledge of theories on aetiology (causes of disorders) and clinical psychology research

• listening and interviewing skills, including skill using different interviewing methods

• good people and communication skills

• research and report-writing skills.

Clinical psychologists who are self-employed also need to have business skills.

 

2. Personal Qualities

Clinical psychologists need to be:

• able to relate to people from a range of cultures

• patient, and adaptable in their approaches to people and their problems

• understanding and concerned for others

• observant

• able to inspire confidence in others and keep information private

• able to work well under pressure.

 

Task 20. Study the syllabus below. Say what competences it places great emphasis on.

Use the pattern:

This university places great emphasis on …

Clinical Forensic Psychology Training Program

Model Curriculum

Fall Year 1 Statistical Methods in Psychology I Research Methods & Design I Psychopathology Assessment I – Intellectual & Cognitive Functioning	Spring Year 1 Statistical Methods in Psychology II Research Methods & Design II Therapeutic Interventions in Clinical Psychology I Assessment II – Personality Functioning
Fall Year 2 Clinical Practicum I Therapeutic Interventions in Clinical Psychology II Introduction to Forensic Psychology Advanced Physiological Psychology	Spring Year 2 Clinical Practicum I Ethical & Legal Issues in Psychology Advanced Therapy Elective I Developmental Psychology
Fall Year 3 Clinical Practicum II Forensic Interviewing & Evaluation Personality and Individual Differences Advanced Therapy Elective II: Forensic Populations (e.g., Evidenced Based Treatment of Adults with Severe Mental Illness)	Spring Year 3 Clinical Practicum II Diversity Cognitive & Affective Aspects of Behavior Psychometric Methods
Fall Year 4 Clinical Research Practicum I Forensic Elective (Neuroscience & the Law or Psychopathology & Criminal Behavior) Statistics Elective History of Psychology	Spring Year 4 Clinical Research Practicum II Social Psychology Elective Elective

Task 21. Use the pattern and the prompts below to speak about the organizations where clinical psychologists can be found.

Clinical psychologists are in demand in government agencies in every region throughout the United States.

Prompts: Veterans’ and military hospitals; drug rehabilitation and correctional facilitie; elementary and secondary schools; colleges and universities; hospitals and medical clinics; mental health hospitals and community centers; group and private practices.

Task 22. The text below has a few logical mistakes (they are underlined in the text). Try to correct them.

What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists often work in the same clinics and see people with totally different problems, but there is no difference between them. Clinical psychologists' key role is to consider what the science of medicine tells them about how to help with the problem. And psychiatrists' key role is to consider what the science of psychology tells them about how to help with the problem. They are each able to do this because the first stage in training as a clinical psychologist is a degree in economics, whereas the first stage in training as a psychiatrist is a degree in foreign languages. So if you are depressed, for instance, a psychiatrist is best placed to help you think about whether apsychological treatment like group counseling may help. And a clinical psychologist is best placed to help you think about whether a drug therapy like antidepressant drug therapy may help. Clinical psychologists will usually prevent you from seeing a psychiatrist if that would be helpful for your problem, and psychiatrists will usually be able to help you see a clinical psychologist if they would be more able to help you with your problem.

Key:

What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists often work in the same clinics and see people with similar problems, but there is a clear difference between them. Clinical psychologists' key role is to consider what the science of psychology tells them about how to help with the problem. And psychiatrists' key role is to consider what the science of medicine tells them about how to help with the problem. They are each able to do this because the first stage in training as a clinical psychologist is a degree in psychology, whereas the first stage in training as a psychiatrist is a degree in medicine. So if you are depressed, for instance, a psychiatrist is best placed to help you think about whether a biological treatment like antidepressant drugs may help. And a clinical psychologist is best placed to help you think about whether a psychological therapy like cognitive behavioural therapy may help. Clinical psychologists will usually be able to help you see a psychiatrist if that would be helpful for your problem, and psychiatrists will usually be able to help you see a clinical psychologist if they would be more able to help you with your problem.

Task 23. Fill in the gaps in the text with the words or phrases from the list below: clinical forensic psychologists; catering, private practices; athletic performance; therapies; clinical psychologists; childhood; sanity.

Career Fields

Clinical psychologists frequently set-up their own ___1___ or join group practices. During the early 2000’s, over 60 percent of ____2____ worked in private practice. Many clinical psychologists managing their own practices specialize. Specialized clinics administering cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, and humanistic ____3_____ can be found throughout the United States. Clinical psychologists employed at hospitals ___4_____. to specialized populations, such as children, cancer patients, or the elderly, typically have skills that match the needs of patients receiving treatment in one of these facilities. For example, clinical psychologists employed at children’s hospitals usually specialize in neurodevelopmental and other _____5_____ related disorders. ____6______, professionals specializing in criminal evaluation and investigation, need to be well acquainted with how courts function and legal proceedings are conducted. They must also be trained to properly evaluate the competency and _______7______ of accused criminals. Clinical sports psychologists must be well versed in cognitive-behavioral therapy since their patients are trying to alter certain behaviors and reach goals related to their _________8_________.

Key: 1. private practices; 2. clinical psychologists; 3. therapies; 4. catering; 5. childhood; 6. clinical forensic psychologists; 7. sanity; 8.

Task 24. Fill in the prepositions where necessary.

1. A clinical psychologist needs to study … a Doctor of Psychology degree if they want to work … a clinical setting. 2. The programs resulting … PsyD have a greater focus … treatment. 3. Online courses of study allow working professionals to complete their studies … their own pace. 4. Many students enrolled ... PsyD programs in the US. 5. I majored … psychology in college. 6. The training and licensing of clinical psychologists ranges … 4 year undergraduate degree plus a 4 …6 year doctorate program. 7. There is an increasing demand … distance learning institutions. 8. Online continuing education credits allow those … degrees … clinical psychology to enhance their education. 9. Continuing education credits can be obtained … various means.

Key: 1. for, in; 2. in, on; 3. at; 4. in; 5. in; 6. from, to; 7. for; 8. with, in; 9. through.

Task 25. Translate the following sentences.

1. Требования к подготовке клинических психологов включают подготовку, необходимую для оказания помощи пациентам. 2. Подготовка клинических психологов включает продвинутый курс обучения и опыт практической работы. 3. В США для осуществления практической деятельности в области клинической психологии необходима лицензия. 4. В США клинические психологи могут повышать свою квалификацию, посещая занятия, не требующие сдачи экзамена по завершении, а также практические семинары по обмену опытом. 5. В Великобритании будущие клинические психологи должны окончить докторантуру по клинической психологии. 6. По какому предмету ты специализировался во время обучения в колледеже? 7. Принимает ли этот вуз бакалавров, специализировашихся по другим предметам? 8. В ходе обучения в интернатуре студенты-клинические психологи получают знания на собственном практическом опыте. 9. У вас есть степень/диплом клинического психолога? 10. И традиционные вузы и вузы, проводящие дистанционное обучение, предлагают учебные курсы, которые способствуют достижению студентами своих целей.

Key: 1. Clinical psychologist training requirements include the preparation necessary to offer direct care to patients. 2. Training of clinical psychologists involves advanced education and practical experience. 3. In the U.S the practice of clinical psychology requires a license. 4. In the US clinical psychologists can continue their education by taking audited classes and attending workshops. 5. In the U.K. future clinical ppsychologists have to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. 6. What did you major in college? 7. Does this university accept graduate students with other academic majors? 8. During internship clinical psychology students gain firsthand knowledge of their field. 9. Do you have a degree in clinical psychology? 10. Both traditional and distance learning institutions offer courses to help students reach their goals.

Task 26. Mind different forms of speaking about requirements.

1. Those training to be clinical psychologists have to complete a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

2. A clinical psychologist needs to study for a Doctor of Psychology degree.

3. Clinical psychologists need to/should be sensitive to people and their problems.

4. They must be able to handle responsibility, work independently.

5. Most states also require a certain number of continuing education credits.

6. Both traditional and online institutions offer/provide courses to help students reach their goals

Task 27. Use the information from the text to specify the requirements to qualify for a job as a clinical psychologist in the USA or UK.

Speak about the degrees, duration of training, skills, personal qualities , licensing and continuing education required, full-time and part-time courses provided.