Chapter 14 & 15 + Lecture 12 Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are the main requirements for applying for an internship?
The main requirements for applying for an internship include writing personal statements and essays, accounting for practicum hours, providing a CV, writing personalized cover letters for each site, and submitting transcripts and letters of reference. The application process typically starts in November.
How do internship interviews usually take place, and when do they occur?
Internship interviews are typically conducted in January. Previously, they used to be done on-site, but now, they seem to be conducted online due to the impact of COVID-19. The interviews involve meeting with different people at the site to learn about the program and assessing the fit of the candidate through various questions.
What is the process of “The Match” for internships, and how does it work?
“The Match” is a process where both the internship sites and candidates rank each other based on preferences. It works like speed dating, using a complicated algorithm to match candidates with the best possible site fit. Not all sites need to be included in the candidate’s list, and not all sites need to include the candidate on their list. This process can sometimes result in some qualified candidates not getting matched with available spots.
Why is professional regulation important for psychologists?
Professional regulation is essential to ensure accountability and protect the public. It helps maintain the autonomy of the field, regulates who can call themselves a psychologist, and sets ethical and competency standards for practitioners. It also ensures that psychologists provide ethical and competent services, and it helps insurance companies recognize registered psychologists for reimbursement purposes
What are the requirements for becoming a registered psychologist?
The requirements for becoming a registered psychologist vary by location. Generally, a doctoral degree is required in the US, while a master’s degree is sufficient in some Canadian provinces. The process typically involves supervised practice, passing exams (such as the EPPP and oral exam), and meeting continuing competency requirements.
What does the EPPP exam cover, and what are some preparation materials available?
The EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) covers various areas of basic and applied psychology, including clinical psychology, ethics and professional practice, developmental psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology, and more. Some preparation materials available include workshops and workbooks, which can help candidates prepare for the exam.
What is diversity competence in clinical psychology, and why is it important?
Diversity competence is the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and communities, considering their unique worldviews, backgrounds, and influences. It is crucial for clinicians to be aware of their own attitudes, biases, and privileges to provide culturally sensitive and relevant treatment. Being diverse competent enhances therapeutic outcomes and client satisfaction.
How can evidence-based practices be adapted for diverse clients?
Evidence-based practices can be adapted for diverse clients by considering language preferences, acknowledging cultural and religious beliefs, and understanding the cultural context. Adapting the content, goals, methods, and metaphors of the intervention to align with the client’s culture can improve treatment effectiveness.
What are some challenges psychologists may face in private practice?
Psychologists in private practice may face challenges such as business skills management, working with changing healthcare systems and insurance companies, risk of isolation, high costs, and the responsibility of handling potential legal issues. They also need to consider setting fees, dealing with client cancellations, and ensuring privacy and ethical practices.
How can psychologists prevent burnout and distress in their practice?
Psychologists can prevent burnout and distress by varying their clinical commitments, setting limits on activities, taking vacations, engaging in recreational activities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Developing a support system, seeking consultation, and enhancing self-awareness are also essential in managing stress and preventing burnout.
How has clinical psychology evolved over time, and what are the broader issues it currently addresses beyond mental health?
Clinical psychology has expanded its boundaries from a primary focus on mental health to encompass a wide range of issues, including physical health, brain-behavior links, and forensic work. Today, clinical psychologists are expected to be knowledgeable about the connections between physical and mental health, be aware of the possibility of organic factors contributing to psychological impairment, and understand that their work may lead to legal involvement, such as testifying in court.
Define the medical model and the social model of disability and explain how they differ in their approach to understanding and addressing disability.
The medical model views disability as a characteristic of an individual, requiring treatment or correction of the person’s impairment. It places the focus on the individual’s condition rather than the broader environment. In contrast, the social model sees disability as a result of both physical and social environmental factors. It emphasizes removing barriers and creating an inclusive society to enable people with disabilities to participate fully. The social model shifts the responsibility for accommodation from the individual to society.
What is the biopsychosocial model, and how does it account for an individual’s functioning or disability?
The biopsychosocial model is a comprehensive framework that considers biological, individual, and social factors in understanding an individual’s functioning or disability. According to this model, an individual’s health condition, such as diseases, disorders, or injuries, interacts with contextual factors, including psychological and social factors, to determine their overall functioning and well-being.
Differentiate between a health psychologist and a clinical health psychologist in terms of their roles and focus.
A health psychologist typically concentrates on research and teaching related to health and well-being. They may be involved in promoting healthy lifestyles and understanding the psychological aspects of health issues. On the other hand, a clinical health psychologist not only engages in research and teaching but also provides health services to individuals. They work directly with patients dealing with various health problems, often in hospital or community health clinic settings.
What challenges do health care professionals face when assessing and understanding pain, especially in individuals who cannot verbally express their pain?
One significant challenge in assessing pain is that it is a subjective experience, and we heavily rely on individual reports to gauge the extent of suffering. This creates difficulties in understanding the pain experiences of those who are unable to communicate verbally, such as infants, very young children, and individuals with cognitive impairments. To address this, innovative strategies have been developed, such as observing behavior and facial expressions in infants and children and finding alternative ways to measure pain in individuals who cannot verbally express it.
Explain the differences between acute and chronic pain and their respective impacts on mental health.
Acute pain is short-term and serves a useful function, typically resulting from injuries, illnesses, or medical procedures. It can usually be relieved through various means, such as rest, medication, or distraction. In contrast, chronic pain persists for more than six months and is associated with poorer mental health. Individuals experiencing chronic pain are less likely to report flourishing mental health compared to those without chronic pain.
What are some common goals of psychological treatment for health issues, including pain management?
Psychological treatment for health issues aims to improve overall well-being and quality of life. Some common goals include helping individuals adopt active coping strategies to manage pain, reducing avoidance behaviors, improving sleep quality, promoting adherence to medication regimens, managing stress and anxiety related to pain, addressing interpersonal conflicts, and addressing vocational issues that may arise due to health problems.
Discuss the importance of sleep hygiene and the behavioral strategies that can be used to promote better sleep. Define sleep hygiene.
Sleep hygiene refers to adopting good sleep practices to improve the quality of sleep. It involves avoiding caffeine and stimulants before bedtime, refraining from smoking close to bedtime, avoiding vigorous exercise close to bedtime, and creating a conducive sleep environment by reducing noise, light, and excessive temperature.
Behavioral strategies for better sleep involve implementing stimulus control measures, including: (a) going to bed only when feeling sleepy, (b) using the bed or bedroom only for sleeping, (c) getting out of bed when unable to sleep and returning only when sleepy, (d) maintaining a consistent wake-up time regardless of sleep duration, and (e) avoiding daytime naps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. These strategies aim to improve sleep patterns and overall sleep quality.
What is clinical neuropsychology, and how does it differ from neuropsychology?
Clinical neuropsychology is the application of knowledge about brain-behavior relationships in the assessment and remediation of neurological injuries or illnesses. It focuses on the effects of neurological problems on functioning and addresses a wide range of conditions, including genetic disorders, head injuries, brain tumors, infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. Neuropsychology, on the other hand, is the broader study of brain-behavior relationships without necessarily involving clinical applications.
What knowledge and training are required to practice clinical neuropsychology?
Clinical neuropsychologists need to understand normal brain functioning (neuroanatomy), the effects of environmental toxins, chemotherapy, and recreational drugs on brain function (pharmacology), and the ways injuries and diseases affect the brain (neuropathology). Training can be obtained through generalist clinical psychology programs, specialized clinical neuropsychology doctoral programs, or postdoctoral training. Working with different populations, such as children or older adults, may require additional specialized knowledge in developmental psychology or age-related changes.
What does neuropsychological assessment examine, and what are the common reasons for conducting such assessments?
Neuropsychological assessment examines various cognitive abilities, including memory, abstract reasoning, problem-solving, and spatial abilities. It also assesses the emotional consequences of brain dysfunction. Common reasons for conducting neuropsychological assessments include issues related to diagnosis, prognosis, treatment planning, and legal matters. Assessments help determine whether a problem is primarily neurological or psychological and predict the patient’s prognosis and ability to return to work or specific tasks. The data gathered from the assessment aids in treatment and rehabilitation planning.
What are the challenges in neuropsychological testing, and how can they be addressed?
One roadblock in neuropsychological testing is that the testing environment may mask certain deficits. An individual may perform better in a structured testing session than in real-life settings with distractions. To address this, data should be collected from various sources, including the individual and people familiar with their functioning, to understand their functional status in different domains. Another challenge is using appropriate normative data, especially for ethnic minority groups, as many norms are based on samples that underrepresent these populations. Efforts should be made to obtain relevant norms for diverse populations.
What are the types of interventions used in clinical neuropsychology, and how do they aim to improve functioning?
Interventions in clinical neuropsychology can be designed to overcome impairments by teaching the patient new strategies, compensate for impairments by modifying the environment or using aids, or address social, psychological, and physical barriers to the person’s participation. Cognitive rehabilitation is an essential part of intervention, aiming to enhance the natural process of recovery of cognitive functions. Effective preventive and rehabilitation interventions depend on understanding cognitive processes and environmental factors influencing them.
How does rehabilitation in clinical neuropsychology impact the quality of life?
Rehabilitation interventions can lead to improvements in measures of cognitive functioning, but the critical question is whether these interventions enhance quality of life. Meta-analysis of studies on rehabilitation showed at least temporary improvement in quality of life. However, there is a need for increased research, particularly in young people and older adults, to identify the most effective programs for individuals dealing with neurological impairment and disability.