Mind Matters Require Serious Study
The Age
Saturday October 12, 2002
Catharine McNab is completing a combined Masters and PhD in clinical psychology at Melbourne University. She speaks with the university's Dr Mike Kyrios about becoming a clinical psychologist.
CATHARINE: Studying psychology was possibly a reaction to what I was studying at the time. I was doing an arts-law degree and thought psychology would combine really important things for me, including that compassionate side. I finished my combined degree and then did a Masters in science. I'm now combining a Masters in clinical psychology with a PhD, looking at family interactions in psychosis I should finish the Masters by the end of next year, and the PhD the following year.
MIKE: I did an arts degree at Melbourne Uni and then enrolled in a Masters in philosophy, but then thought it best to enrol in a Masters course in clinical psychology at La Trobe University. I was then asked to stick around and do a PhD. Once I'd completed that I took a year off and returned to work in a rehab clinic. I worked at the Children's Hospital for a while and the hospital also employed me as a lecturer; 80 per cent of which was in the clinical environment. I eventually became involved with the development of the Melbourne University Psychology Clinic and am now the convenor of the clinical-training program.
I've always been compassionate and interested in people. There is also a lot of scope for creativity in clinical psychology. In the department I work in, virtually every psychologist has a creative outlet, from music to art. It's important to be flexible and open to new ideas.
CATHARINE: Now I'm working in the clinical environment (sessions are filmed and discussed with lecturers afterwards), I have a lot more respect for the art of the work. You can be studying psychology for five years, but learn that the people you deal with aren't in the textbooks.
MIKE: Having the science side is also very important. It's a bit like riding a bike. You can't read a book to learn to ride.
Of all the psychology streams, clinical psychology is the hardest to get into. If 1000 students are studying psychology at university, only two or three will go on to do clinical psychology. It's also the stream that allows you the greatest flexibility. You can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, prisons, clinics, general practice.
To get into the course, we conduct an interview and ask for a personal statement, stating why you want to do the course. You have to ask yourself, do you have a real interest in other people and do you have a character that would allow you to deal with the responsibilities of the job. Moral and ethical issues are paramount in this field because people come to you to talk intimately about themselves.
CATHARINE: I worked hard as an undergrad and in my Masters degree in science to get into the course. Academic skills and experience with people who've experienced difficulties was important. . I was a Lifeline telephone counsellor and did support work for the New Zealand organisation Parents and Caregivers of Sexually Abused Children.
MIKE: The minimum requirement for becoming a clinical psychologist and a member of the Australian Psychological Society is four full-time years of academic study in psychology plus two additional full-time years of postgraduate training or supervised workplace experience.
CATHARINE: The profession is becoming better known. In general, there's a greater understanding that going to a clinical psychologist is OK and being a clinical psychologist is not a poor cousin to psychiatry or social work. The quality of the training is also becoming more recognised.
MIKE: Clinical psychologists diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of mental-health issues. Psychiatrists provide medication; psychologists do not. The majority of psychologists provide cognitive behaviour therapy, a kind of evidence-based treatment. A clinical psychologist's training involves understanding human behaviour. There is currently discussion about where the description ``clinical psychologist" begins and ends because these days there are clinical neuropsychologists, forensic psychologists, health psychologists, and counselling psychologists who also do clinical work. Positions for clinical psychologists in the public mental-health system decreased following the Kennett government reforms but the kind of jobs now available are wide-ranging and are not just in the public health sector.
CATHARINE: I don't know what area I want to get into yet. Part of the beauty is trying a few different areas. I had intentions of working in the public sector and getting involved in research, and possibly further down the track being involved as an academic.
MIKE: Saying you are doctor so-and-so does give you kudos. Clinical psychologists are scientists and practitioners. Practice helps inform the research, and vice versa. In the past year or so, the primary mental-health worker scheme has been introduced. This is a team of professionals, mostly clinical psychologists, supporting GPs dealing with patients with anxiety and depression. There are so many needs, especially in rural areas, which means you are never short of options. Graduate salaries are usually around $45,000 depending on your role and qualifications.
© 2002 The Age