On Becoming a Professional

1. On Becoming a Professional James H. Johnson, PhD, ABPP University of Florida

2. What is a Professional?Professionalism in Psychology • DEFINITION: pro·fes·sion·al·ism • professional character, spirit, or methods. • the standing, practice, or methods of a professional, as distinguished from an amateur. • Professional status, methods, character, or standards. • the expertness characteristic of a professional person 

3. The Nature of Professionalism • Professionalism is more than having knowledge and skills in clinical psychology • More than knowing about psychological disorders • More than knowing about and having skill in the administration of psychological and behavioral assessment methods • More than knowing about and using various therapeutic approaches.

4. Professionalism:More Than Knowledge • Professionalism has to do with the way in which one trained in clinical psychology conducts him or herself in using his or her professional skills. • Professionalism relates to things like • Standards • Professional integrity • Ethics • Conscientiousness • A focus on providing the best possible services to our patients • Making contributions to the profession • Making contributions to society

5. Focus on Standards • Focuses on Evidence-based Approaches to clinical practice. • Where possible uses empirically-supported approaches to assessment • Where possible uses empirically-supported approaches to treatment • Adopts a scientific/scholarly approach to clinical decision making rather than relying simply on clinical intuition. • Avoids an “auto-pilot” approach to clinical work.

6. Focus on Ethics and Excellence in Clinical Practice • Focus on the Patient’s Best Interest. • Practices in a Manner Consistent with Ethical and Legal Standards. • Competence • Informed consent • Avoid intrusion of your own issues • Confidentiality • Violation of boundaries • Dual relationships • Laws and statutes (duty to warn, abuse reporting) • Maintain appropriate documentation and record keeping of clinical activity (reports, therapy progress notes).

7. Attention to Multicultural Issues • Consider the role of cultural factors as possible influences on test data • Consider the need for culturally sensitive interventions • This understanding should be reflected in clinical activity. • Understand that some members of minority groups, the poor, and the those who are uneducated may need to be provided with special services (e.g., assessment feedback)

8. Practicum: The First Step Toward Professionalism • As practicum students you are not expected to know everything there is to know about psychopathology and the assessment and treatment of adults and children. • That is what coursework and supervised practicum is for. • You are, however, expected to strive for increased levels of professionalism and act in a professional manner when engaging in practicum related activities.

9. Striving for Professionalism • Ways for practicum students to enhance professional behavior on practicum • Dress appropriately • View patients as people not just cases. • Realize that what you do as a practicum student makes a difference - and what you don’t do! (e.g., recent mom with OCD). • Realize that while your cases are ultimately the supervisors responsibility trainees operate as an extension of the supervisors license. • It is your responsibility to be accurate and show appropriate attention to detail –To make careless mistakes is unprofessional.

10. Clinic Dress Code Violations

11. “Examples of Unprofessional Behaviors to Avoid” • Letting personal issues interfere with clinical work • Inappropriate language and behavior • Scoring errors • Inappropriate use of templates – Including other patients data and personal information in reports • Other inappropriate material included in psychological reports (Sensationalism) • Missing supervision

12. Questions ??