Qualified Clinical Psychologists Research Articles

What racialised aspiring clinical psychologists need from a mentoring scheme

PHOTO CREDIT: Christina WocinIt has been long recognised that there is an increased gap between the application and acceptance rates of racialised applicants to clinical psychology training in the UK, relative to White applicants. In 2020, Health Education England released funding for UK training programmes to develop mentoring schemes for aspiring clinical psychologists from racialised groups. This study was undertaken to explore how such mentoring schemes might best support racialised applicants. Three focus groups, comprising a total of 24 racialised aspiring, trainee, and qualified clinical psychologists, were undertaken to gather views regarding how a mentoring scheme could support racialised aspiring clinical psychologists. Data was analysed utilising reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were developed: ‘Gaining Access to a White Profession – What’s the White thing to say?’ captured participants’ views that mentoring schemes should support mentees to present themselves in ways that fit with what selection assessors will be looking for. ‘A Safe Space to Explore the Impact of Racialisation’ related to the importance of mentoring schemes creating safe opportunities to make sense of the impact of racism within their career. ‘Troubling Whiteness’ spoke to the importance of mentees being empowered to think with other racialised individuals about ways they could actively address Whiteness within the profession and services. The three themes have implications for the delivery and evaluation of mentoring schemes for racialised aspiring clinical psychologists.

A qualitative evaluation of mentors’ experiences of a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic mentor scheme for clinical psychologists

ABSTRACT Objectives Inequalities in the clinical psychology profession extend to the uptake and recruitment of clinical psychologists from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. Mentoring schemes can help facilitate mentee’s personal and professional development. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of mentors who participated in the BAME mentor scheme at University of Bath. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with N = 29 mentors (both trainee and qualified clinical psychologists), who predominately identified as female and White British. The reflexive thematic analysis six-step process was employed to analyse the data. Results Four major themes were generated; (1) Mentoring as a learning curve; (2) Mentoring in the context of BAME; (3) Why we mentor: The impact; and (4) Moving the scheme forward: What next? Conclusions Overall, mentoring was a rewarding experience for mentors, and given the right support, could help strengthen the mentoring experience and aims of the scheme for the future. These findings offer insight and guidance for future mentoring programmes considering diversifying the clinical psychology profession.

Correlation between psychological diagnosis (Rorschach Psycho-diagnostics) and clinical diagnosis

Background: A wide acceptance of the Rorschach test is shown in clinical practice and clinicians choose the test not only as a diagnostic instrument but as a therapeutic practice also, sometimes variety of opinion comes from health professionals and the validity of the test result become more challenging. It creates a cognitive dilemma and the clinician has two options: either choice to accept or reject the diagnosis. Material & Methods: A total 80 cases were selected from the psychiatry ward and written informed consent was taken. Socio-demographical data sheet was applied. Without knowing the history and other diagnostic variables, the Rorschach test was administered to make a psychological diagnosis by a qualified clinical psychologist and the clinical diagnosis was made through ICD-10 DCR criteria by the competent psychiatrist. Results: Among the participants, 37.5% belonged to 29-39 years age group; 58.75% were male. Most of the study samples were married (71.25%), 32.5% were educated up to 6-10th standard. The majority (38.75%) of the participants were unemployed and 51.25% belonged to rural areas. A majority, ie: 47.5% were in the middle-income group (50-74K) and living in a nuclear family (83.75%). Schizophrenia was the most frequent diagnosis in both categories, 38.75% belonging to the Rorschach diagnosis and 33.75% in the clinical category followed by Depression, mania, anxiety, obsession, psychosis, organic, and conversion disorder. Overall, a high correlation was found between both diagnostic categories (X2 =4.1, P=0.75). Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that a high level of correlation was found between clinical diagnosis and Rorschach psycho-diagnosis.

With all the talk of entry into the profession and the training experience, what about Black clinical psychologists post qualification?

The focus on how Whiteness and racism exclude racialised individuals from entering the profession, and adversely impact the experiences of racialised trainees, has led to an oversight of the experiences of racialised, specifically Black, qualified clinical psychologists. The doctoral research this article is based on aimed to address this gap by exploring Black Clinical Psychologists’ (BCPs’) experiences of racism and its discussion at work and in the profession. The accounts provided illustrate the ways in which Whiteness continues to permeate the professional context and remain a consistent feature of the lives of our Black colleagues following their transition into qualified life. Their testimony highlights the detrimental impact of Whiteness and racism on their emotional and psychological wellbeing, and willingness to remain within the profession and the NHS. In sharing their experiences, they remind us that, although the profession is keen to celebrate its efforts to tackle racism during the pre-qualification phase, the work of addressing Whiteness and becoming anti-racist is far from complete; our Black qualified colleagues continue to endure ongoing harm.

A tiered approach to inpatient psychosocial screening in an adult UK burns service

National guidance in the UK advises that psychosocial screening is completed for all inpatients admitted to burns services for over 24 h. Acceptable methods of psychosocial screening have been nationally agreed. However, little is known about how different services conduct psychosocial screening. Moreover, data related to validity and reliability are lacking. This paper describes a tiered approach to inpatient psychosocial screening in a UK adult burns service and considers implications for services. Data collected over a seven-year period was analysed retrospectively. Of 891 patients, almost half (48%; n = 431) were screened face-to-face by a graduate level assistant psychologist. Almost one quarter (23%, n = 205) were screened face-to-face by a qualified clinical psychologist. Around a fifth (22%, n = 193) were screened indirectly through psychological discussions at multi-disciplinary team meetings with a member of the burns clinical psychology team present. A minority of patients were screened face-to-face by liaison psychiatry, or by both liaison psychiatry and a clinical psychologist. Screening and delivery of low-level psychological interventions by a graduate level assistant psychologist appeared to protect resources of qualified clinical psychologists for the most distressed patients. Results highlight the value and cost-effectiveness of a tiered approach to psychosocial screening and in guiding subsequent intervention. Future study is needed in relation to inpatient psychosocial screening and its validity and reliability. Investigating the predictive value of screening methods in identifying those with longer-term psychological difficulties would also be important clinically.

Protocol of a Community-Based Intervention on Mental Health in Kashmir

Introduction: Mental health issues are on an exponential rise in Kashmir due to varied reasons including political instability, eco fragility, the growing lag in the provision of education and employment, and several other reasons. Impediments such as the overwhelming stigma and the cultural sensitivity associated with mental health issues both sustain and perpetuate mental ill health and also prevent any treatment and rehabilitation. This article describes the protocol of a research project, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, which aims to address this issue.Aim: To screen the population for mental health issues and to provide community-based intervention for the identified cases also to train community health workers for sustainable mental health support.Methods: We will conduct a household survey using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) for the identification of the clients. A multi-stage random sampling shall be used to select the villages and the households from the marginalized communities. A sample of 500 respondents shall be screened using HSCL-25. Those who screen positive for mental health issues will be offered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by a qualified clinical psychologist. The research will be able to address the diagnosis of depression and anxiety-related cases and the subsequent intervention. Additionally, we will utilize the facilitator’s manual for Mental Health Training Program for Community Health Workers to build sustainable mental health services in community settings.Discussion: The study shall present a roadmap focusing on the indispensability of a comprehensive community-based intervention on mental health utilizing a non-pharmacological method. Assessing and analyzing the dynamics of mental health illness first hand, the study shall move ahead to offer a culturally tailored counseling program at the community level. The study also aims to highlight the role of the indigenous human resource (community health workers) and how its participation leads to a more scientific and sustainable intervention for more effective results, with an increased level of awareness and sensitization in a conventional society like Kashmir.

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Strategy Training on Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Endurance Runners: A Three-Month Follow-up

Background: Exposure of the athlete to stressful situations in addition to physiological effects will cause the person to feel excited in response to those situations and these changes may have dangerous consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the mindfulness-based intervention on cognitive-emotional regulation strategies and salivary cortisol levels in endurance runners with a three-month follow-up. Methods: The research method was experimental with a pretest-posttest follow up design with a control group. The study population consisted of all beginner endurance runners with age range 16-18 who were voluntarily invited to participate in this research. Twenty-four male beginner runners (mean aged 17.08 ± 0.64 years and athletic background 7.7 ± 1.6 month) were divided into two groups of Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) and control. The intervention protocol of the experimental group consisted of six sessions of mindfulness training and daily homework assignments that were performed under the researcher's supervision and with the help of a qualified clinical psychologist. Salivary Cortisol Kit (SCK) with sensitivity 0.05 μg/dl was used to measure stress and the Gross and John Emotion Regulation Questionnaire was used to assess cognitive-emotional regulation strategies. Results: The results showed a significant difference in cortisol levels, suppression, and reappraisal, between the MBI and control groups in posttest and follow-up steps. The findings showed that salivary cortisol concentration in the MBI group was reduced from pretest (1.09 ± 0.16) to posttest (0.76 ± 0.15) and follow-up (0.72 ± 0.07). Also, the suppression component in the MBI group was reduced from pretest (21.40 ± 1.64) to posttest (15.10 ± 1) and follow-up (16 ± 1.15) and increased the reappraisal component from pretest (22.40 ± 1.17) to posttest (29.10 ± 2.37) and follow up (27.70 ± 2.21) (P value = 0.0001). Conclusions: The findings showed that MBI reduced salivary cortisol concentration and suppression component, while increased the reappraisal component of emotion regulation. The findings suggest that MBI can be used as a new promising method on cognitive emotion regulation strategies and salivary cortisol levels in endurance runners.

A Greater Glasgow & Clyde survey into clinical psychology research activity, barriers, and potential facilitators

This article explores current participation and research activity of qualified clinical psychologists in Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GG&C) health board. It investigates the potential barriers to participation in research and explores facilitators that could enable increased research activity.

The Relationship between Anxiety and Depression with Quality of Life among the Elderly with Dementia Living: The Need of Reminiscene Group Therapy in Resident Institutions

This study aims to identify the relationship between anxiety and depression with quality of life among the elderly with dementia living in institution. This study also propose reminscence group therapy in reducing depression and anxiety among residents in institutions. This cross sectional study was conducted at Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheras. A total of 58 elderly with mild to moderate demensia were selected through a series of screening process by a qualified clinical psychologist. Several instruments has been used including Quality of Life-AD (QoL-AD) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to investigate the relationship between anxiety and depression with quality of life among the elderly with dementia. This study shows that there is a negative relationship between the level of anxiety and quality of life among the elderly with dementia. Meanwhile, the relationship between depression and the quality of life of elderly with dementia in RSK Cheras shows that there is a significant relationship. The application of reminiscene group therapy as one of the effective intervention to improve quality of life and reduce anxiety and depression among the elderly with dementia in institution were discussed.

New York telebehavioral health program to help homeless

Making addiction treatment and mental health services accessible to homeless people via videoconferencing and email is the focus of a federally funded program at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), according to an RIT news release. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes for the underserved population by increasing the number of qualified clinical psychologists trained to deliver care via remote technology. RIT will train doctoral interns in its Priority Psychology Internship Program to work with clients at the House of Mercy homeless shelter in Monroe County, N.Y. The U.S. Graduate Psychology Education Program is funded by a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will be able to train interns to use innovations in technology and the use of telebehavioral health to target addiction and co‐occurring mental health, such as trauma, that is common among the homeless,” Caroline Easton, professor in RIT's School of Behavioral Health Sciences, and lead researcher on the grant. “This will provide a mechanism for easy access to care for the homeless.”

The Hardest Part Is Knowing I Will Survive: The Use of Music and Creative Mediums to Enhance Empathy and Facilitate Life-Long Distance Learning in Professionally Qualified Clinicians

Music is an experience that can cross personal and professional domains alongside cultural, gender, age and generational boundaries; it can also enhance the learning process through emotional processing and connection. This paper focuses on the learning experience of qualified clinical psychologists (CPs) working in the United Kingdom. This group of CPs had experience of undertaking experiential learning and reflective writing during their professional training. It considers the potential to continue a learning process, 3 years post qualification, through long distance methods using vignette-based material.Empathising with, and understanding, the position of others from differing backgrounds is an important competency within the therapeutic work of CPs and this comes alongside acknowledging and understanding ones’ own experiences, both past and present. CPs work with difficult life experiences and complex issues; connecting constantly can be exhausting and, perhaps, unrealistic. Yet, to truly empathise one must connect with, and understand, the lived experiences of others. We will consider what helps and hinders this process, and how music and other creative mediums can be effectively used in learning even via long distance methods. We will further consider how CPs may be well placed to enhance the learning about, and processing of, difficult emotional experiences for themselves, other clinicians and the people they might work with.

Impact of an auditory hallucinations simulation on trainee and newly qualified clinical psychologists: A mixed‐methods cross‐sectional study

Simulation training is an effective teaching tool enabling learners to gain a subjective understanding of a range of skills. Our aim in this study was to pilot and evaluate a newly designed simulation of auditory hallucinations as a future training tool for clinicians. This was a mixed-methods study in two parts. In Phase 1, trainee and qualified clinical psychologists (N=25) attended the London-based immersive art exhibition, Altered States of Consciousness, which included an auditory hallucinations simulation. The exhibition aimed to improve understanding of what it feels like to hear voices by providing members of the public with an individualized simulation of auditory hallucinations. Participants completed pre/post-exhibition measures of their mood and attitudes towards auditory hallucinations and other unusual sensory experiences. In Phase 2, a subgroup of Phase 1 participants (N=15) took part in a semi-structured interview and completed the post-exhibition questions again approximately 6months later. Post-exhibition, there were significant increases in understanding what it feels like to hear voices (large effect), compassion towards people who hear voices (large effect), and comfort talking to people who hear voices (medium effect). Scores were partially maintained at follow-up. Participants reported that the simulation provided numerous benefits to their training and clinical practice, including increases in subjective understanding, compassion, and confidence, and suggested several future training applications for the simulation, including with a range of health care professionals. Therefore, we conclude that this simulation has potential for training clinical psychologists and other health care professionals who work with people who experience auditory hallucinations.

Inside it was orange squash concentrate: trainees’ experiences of reflective practice groups within clinical psychology training

ABSTRACTDespite many clinical psychology training programmes utilising reflective practice groups (RPGs) to develop reflective practice (RP) skills, there remains little research examining how trainees experience these groups. This study uses interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the experiences of eight qualified clinical psychologists who attended RPGs on one United Kingdom (UK) clinical psychology training programme. A purposive sample was recruited for single, semi-structured interviews. Five superordinate themes were identified: ‘The process: there were so many layers’; ‘The impact: an ongoing process’; ‘Commitment: I hated it, but I still went’; ‘The facilitator: a presence who was not always present’; and ‘Getting through it: finding ways to cope’. The findings illustrate the varied and complex experiences of the participants. Whilst the experience was often difficult, the participants were committed to attending and sought out ways to navigate it. The results are conceptualised in terms of existing psychological theory and literature. A critique of the research and suggestions for future studies are offered, including exploring the views of group facilitators and comparing how groups are utilised within different training programmes. Recommendations are made on the development of future RPGs, which include consideration of the facilitation style and the groups’ frequency and size.

Exploring the leadership competencies of trainee clinical psychologists and qualified clinical psychologists

This article explored the self-reported leadership competencies of trainee and qualified clinical psychologists. The results showed that leadership competencies are part of a qualified clinical psychologist’s role and that trainees don’t report a development of these skills across training.

Effects of Single-Session Group Mantra-meditation on Salivary Immunoglobulin A and Affective State: A Psychoneuroimmunology Viewpoint

Based on existing psychoneuroimmunological insights, the present study aimed at investigating possible effects of a single-session group mantra-meditation on salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and affective states. A controlled pretest-posttest study enrolled 30 healthy women (mean age 44 ± 3 years) through a multi-stage random sampling method from yoga clubs in Shiraz (Feb-Dec, 2016). Subjects were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Participants in both the groups attended a structured introductory lecture about mantra-meditation after which those in the experimental group meditated for 20min. Saliva samples were collected after the intervention, and the participants' affective states were examined by a qualified clinical psychologist blinded to the intervention using the positive and negative affect schedule questionnaire at sequential time-points, i.e., baseline, post-meditation, and one hour later. Similar assessments were done for the control group subjects. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test saliva samples for the IgA titer. The s-IgA and the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) test results were statistically evaluated using an analysis of variance. The mean s-IgA titer in the experimental group at 'post-meditation' and '1-hour later' time-points were found to be statistically different from those of the control group (P < .05). In addition, results indicated a significant change in affect among experimental group subjects as compared to controls (P < .05). Our findings suggest that "group mantra-meditation" training even for a single session may positively influence some immunological components and improve affective states. As a simple and low-cost psychoneurobehavioral intervention, this method may offer mental-health benefits at nursing homes as well as group-therapies.

The representation of minority ethnic groups in the clinical psychology profession

The recent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion declaration from the British Psychological Society (BPS, 2017) suggests it’s timely to review the representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the clinical psychology profession. This article represents one view within the broader complex debate surrounding diversity. This article is not intended to be a systematic review, but rather an update and summary focusing on the representation of BAME groups across the clinical psychology career pathway from undergraduate to applicant for clinical psychology training and qualified clinical psychologist status.

Using the Repertory Grid Technique to Examine Trainee Clinical Psychologists' Construal of Their Personal and Professional Development.

Clinical psychology trainees experience training as demanding and stressful, which negatively impacts on their personal and professional self-image and self-esteem. However, they are optimistic that they will become more like their ideal self in the future. Stress in clinical training (and beyond) is normative, and thus, personal development and self-care should be recognized as clinical psychologist's core competencies.

Learning Disabilities: Opportunities and challenges in Oman.

Learning Disabilities: Opportunities and challenges in Oman.

Assistant Psychologists’ experience of a reflective practice group in an Older People’s Psychology Service

The SEPT Older People’s Psychology Service serves a population of approximately 120,000 older people and is delivered from five bases in South Essex, each staffed by one Clinical Psychologist and one Assistant Psychologist. The Assistant Psychologists are employed on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Every six weeks the Assistants meet for a reflective practice group facilitated by a designated qualified Clinical Psychologist in the team. The group is two hours long and involves one of the Assistants presenting a case study upon which the group reflects. Case presentations have included discussions of neuropsychological assessments and therapeutic work on both an individual and group basis. This is followed by a discussion of a journal article or book chapter relevant to the delivery of psychological services to older people.

Why Ghanaian Clinical Psychologists also be Trained to Prescribe Selected Psychoactive Medication

This paper examines the mental health situation in Ghana and proposes a way to solve the problem of insufficient care to mental health patients, by recommending qualified Clinical Psychologists to be considered for further training in the area of Clinical Psychopharmacology at Kintampo. The ‘KINTAMPO’ training involves training of Assistant Psychiatrists/Clinical Psychiatric Officer (CPO) to prescribe limited medications. The rationale for Clinical Psychology training is to supplement the shortage of Psychiatrists in the rural areas in Ghana. The mental health practice in Ghana is a combination of psychotropic medication and psychotherapy. However, the shortage of Psychiatrists in the rural areas makes it difficult for patients to have access to medication. Even when Clinical Psychologists need some psychotropic medications to intervene a problem, they have to send patients to travel hundreds of miles far away from their place of residence to get medication from a psychiatrist. To solve this problem that is why the training of psychiatric Assistants or [CPO] is being implemented at Kintampo to supplement the few psychiatrists in the country. It is also being recommended that qualified clinical psychologists be included in this training. The clinical psychologist in future will be able combine the psychotherapy and psychotropic medication, if necessary, in the rural practice.