Terrific Teaching Tools by Erica H
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Page 15 T H E N A T I O N A L P S Y C H O L O G I S T May/June 2013 Ethics for Psychhologists Self-care important for psychologists and graduate students Terrific Teaching Tools By Erica H. Wise, Ph.D. to our profession and that we are prone Emotions Emotions and Melanie S. Fischer, M.A. to experiencing stress and distress, we Our brightly are more likely to acknowledge that Chart Flashcards Principle A in the aspirational por- self-care is indeed a critical issue for colored emotions tion of the APA Ethics Code reminds us. In fact, self-care and self-reflective chart and flashcards us that “Psychologists strive to be practice are now recognized by APA as help children learn aware of the possible effect of their foundational competencies to be inte- and express emo- own physical and mental health on grated into graduate training. tions in therapy, at their ability to help those with whom The importance of effective self- they work.” care and coping during times of major school and at home. This statement highlights the criti- stressors may be evident to all. Less Create your own cal link between our professional com- obvious is the importance of develop- games with these 11 cards, petence and our health. The enforce- ing positive and preventative self-care flexible therapy & (8-1/2 x 11) able section of the code, Standard 2.06 habits to maintain personal wellness teaching tools. $9.95 + $2.95 p&h (Personal Problems and Conflicts) is and optimal professional functioning. 1 page explicitly focused on the potential for As a profession, we clearly possess the our personal problems to negatively knowledge to create a “culture of self- (8-1/2 x 14) To order go to: impact those with whom we work. care,” even though this ironically has $2.50 + $2.95 p&h Why do professional psychologists not been a common element of gradu- www.terrificteachingtools.com and graduate students need to be ate training for many of us. click on “Health and Science” concerned about personal wellness What follows are a few self- then click on “Emotions” and functioning? assessment questions that we would or call: 1-614-861-8000 Many of us are drawn to profes- encourage you to consider: sional psychology because of our fasci- * What drew me to the practice or nation with psychological processes study of psychology? How are these Over 100 other teaching tools for all ages and our deep commitment to helping factors a source of both strength and available on our website others. However, psychologists com- vulnerability for me? monly bring personal vulnerabilities to * What do I find most fulfilling who are engaged in clinical work. in practice and those of us who are their choice of career. Themes such as and most stressful in my daily work or We highly recommend the follow- still in training can benefit from a cultural marginalization, psychological training as a psychologist or as a ing two resources for psychologists: A compassionate reminder that self-care mindedness and the experience of graduate student? flexible, principle-based model that is an ethical duty and should be an childhood pain tend to emerge in the * What are some healthy (positive) was developed explicitly for psycholo- integral part of our lives at any stage personal histories of those who choose and less healthy (negative) coping gists (Norcross and Guy, 2007) and a of our careers. to become psychotherapists. strategies that I currently use? comprehensive evidence-based system- Rather than being “another Such factors can be a source of * How do I prioritize self-care atic review of therapeutic lifestyle demand on the list,” small, thoughtful great strength and compassion, but also activities compared to other demands, changes (TLCs) that were proposed for changes can be a step in the right of vulnerability. Stress and distress are and how do these choices affect my psychologists to promote to their direction. CE common How do I prioritize self-care activities compared to other demands? clients or among psy- patients References available from authors chologists, and a recent large sample well-being and long-term professional (Walsh, 2011). ---------- survey of psychology graduate students functioning? Training programs are beginning revealed that more than 70 percent * What are the personal and to be aware of their responsibility to Erica H. Wise, Ph.D., is director of reported experiencing at least one stres- professional costs of putting off my integrate self-care into an already the psychology training clinic and clin- sor that interfered with optimal func- self-care? intense and demanding course of study. ical professor in the clinical psycholo- tioning. Based on your responses to these A few suggestions for training gy doctoral program at University of In its Introduction and questions, there are many resources for programs are to integrate self-care into North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a Applicability section, the APA Ethics psychologists and graduate students academic course work, clinical training former member and chair of the APA Code (2002) informs us that the profes- who wish to explore healthy and adap- and supervision wherever possible and Ethics Committee and the North sional activities to which the code tive coping. One place to start is with for faculty to model a balanced and Carolina Psychology Board. Her email applies “…shall be distinguished from the wisdom of our own profession. compassionate approach to their address is [email protected]. the purely private conduct of psycholo- In addition to seeking personal own lives. gists, which is not within the purview psychotherapy during times of signifi- It is not a simple task, but we can Melanie S. Fischer, M.A., is a doc- of the Ethics Code.” (p.1061, italics cant stress or loss, the interventions do better as a field to mentor graduate toral student in clinical psychology at added). This raises an interesting ques- that we use with clients can work for students to reach for excellence in a the University of North Carolina at tion: Is self-care purely personal? us too. In particular, mindfulness, posi- manner that incorporates sustainable Chapel Hill. She is the graduate stu- When we recognize that psycholo- tive behavioral activation and challeng- self-care into their lives at a time when dent member of the North Carolina gists share common personal vulnera- ing critical and perfectionist self-talk habits for an entire career are being Psychological Association Colleague bilities, that there are hazards endemic can be helpful to busy psychologists formed. Those of us who are already Assistance Committee. Page 16 May/June 2013 T H E N A T I O N A L P S Y C H O L O G I S T Page 17 T H E N A T I O N A L P S Y C H O L O G I S T May/June 2013 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE USA California – Gov. Jerry Brown’s cy, citing required increases in contri- ing patients to their home areas for erans while the North Shore Long efforts to end federal oversight of the butions to the state retirement system treatment, although research by The Island Jewish Health System provides state prison mental health system failed as the cause. Kentucky’s mental health Sacramento Bee newspaper shows no-cost services to veterans’ families. April 5 when U.S. District Judge centers were created in 1966 as not-for- many, perhaps most, traveled alone The center is the first to provide holis- Lawrence K. Karlton issued a ruling profit entities rather than state agen- with no plan in place to find treatment. tic treatment for veterans and their that “systemic failures persist” because cies, but employees were permitted to The newspaper undertook the project families under one roof. of inadequate suicide prevention meas- participate in state retirement programs because about one third of the patients ures, excessive segregation of mentally beginning in 1979. Seven Counties said were sent to California. Oregon – The Oregon Board of ill inmates, lack of timely access to new rates for retirement contributions Psychologist Examiners is considering adequate care, insufficient treatment would cost $15.9 million, about 40 North Carolina – Ground was defining the word “therapy” as it is space and unmet staffing needs. percent of payroll, for fiscal 2015. broken April 12 for a 22-acre mental used in “the most current version” of health campus that will integrate men- the DSM. Public comments were Iowa – Many sports teams make Maryland – The Allegany County tal and physical health under one con- received until April 30. No public hear- use of psychologists, but the men’s golf Board of Education is considering tinuum of care. The facility, located in ings were scheduled at press time. team at the University of Iowa has one combining increased mental health Davidson, will be operated by who is active every match and every availability with police protection in a Carolinas HealthCare System. It has Texas – The Psychology training day. He’s the coach, Mark new security model to meet concerns been planned since 2011 but was Department of Southern Methodist Hankins, Ph.D., who told The Daily about school violence. The plan calls delayed because necessary rezoning University in Dallas received a $1 mil- Iowan newspaper recently that he uses for hiring two licensed clinical coun- was denied at the originally planned lion grant from the U.S. State his psychological training in every situ- selors to identify high-risk students and site in Huntersville because of opposi- Department to work with Shaheed ation and holds “mental golf” sessions five armed off-duty state patrol troop- tion from area residents.