APS Psychologists:
“Good Thinking”
Seeking consultation or training from an
APS Psychologist is “Good Thinking”. APS psychologists
can assist people and organizations with the skills and the “good
thinking” that they need to enable themselves and their
organizations to function better. Psychologists are experts in
human behaviour, having studied the brain, memory, learning, human
development, organizational development and the ways people feel,
behave and react. Psychologists are generally in the business
of assisting people and business to find ways of functioning better.
While Psychologists are often thought of as providing therapies
for people with mental health problems, Psychologists can help
in many other areas. PsyAsia's psychologists apply their many
years of education and experience to the world of work and human
resources.
Why Consult
an APS Psychologist
Consulting an APS Psychologist ensures people receive expert psychological
services of the highest standard. APS Psychologists follow guidelines
about professional conduct, responsibilities, and confidentiality
that are set and monitored by the society in a Code of Ethics.
The APS is the largest body for the profession in Australia, with
over 13,000 members. You can recognise APS Psychologists by the
letters MAPS or FAPS after their name.
All APS Psychologists must have at least four years of university
training followed by two years of either supervised professional
experience or further university training. Most spend six to eight
years at university to obtain specialist training.
Specialisations
of Psychology
Some Psychologists offer a range of general services while others
have more specialised training and areas of practice. APS recognises
a number of specialist fields through its nine professional colleges:
• Clinical Psychologists specialise in the diagnosis, treatment,
and prevention of a wide range of psychological and general health
problems affecting adults, children, and families.
• Clinical Neuropsychologists specialise in the assessment
and management of individuals with brain impairment
• Community Psychologists assist people to achieve their
goals in areas such as health, welfare, and community projects.
• Counselling Psychologists assist individuals and groups
in areas related to personal well-being, interpersonal relationships,
work, recreation, health and crisis management
• Educational and Developmental Psychologists provide assessment,
intervention, and counselling services relevant to the management
of development and educational issues across the lifespan.
• Forensic Psychologists work professionally in settings
associated with the legal process and correctional services.
• Health Psychologists are engaged in the promotion and
maintenance of health-related behaviour, the prevention and treatment
of illness, and analysis and improvement of the health care system.
• Organizational Psychologists specialise in the areas of
work adjustment, human resource management, and organisation design,
development, and training, consumer research, advertising and
marketing.
• Sport Psychologists provide assistance to people in sport
and exercise who seek to enhance their well being by maximising
their performance, enjoyment and participation.
These colleges serve an important role in quality assurance and
maintenance of practice standards. College members are required
to do additional post-graduate training, internships and supervision.
College accreditation can also be checked by contacting the APS.
Psychology
and Psychiatry
People often think that psychologists only provide therapies for
people with mental health problems. While some psychologists do
specialise in this area, most psychologists assist mentally healthy
people find ways of functioning better. Psychiatrists study medicine
to treat mental illness, and may prescribe drugs whereas Psychologists
(at least in Australia) do not. Psychologists and Psychiatrists
therefore provide different services. In many cases they work
together.
Psychology
Registration
By Australian law, all psychologists are registered with the Psychologist
Registration Board in their state or territory, in the same way
that practitioners and solicitors are registered. The APS does
not register psychologists. Entry to the APS requires more university
training than necessarily required by Psychologist Registration
boards in each State.
More
Information
For more information about the APS, please contact the APS National
Office, or visit the APS homepage. The National Office can also
advise you of the local branch near you if you are in Australia:
The Australian Psychological Society Ltd
National Office
PO Box 38
Flinders Lane PO
Mebourne
VIC 8009
Australia
Telephone: + 61 3 9663 6166 or in Australia: 1800 333 497
Fax: +61 3 9663 6177
Email: natl-off@psychsociety.com.au
Webpage: http://www.psychology.org.au/
This information
is based on material presented in the APS: “Good Thinking“
brochure with adaptation.
The following flyer is © The Australian
Psychological Society Ltd. Please click on the image for clearer
details about what you can expect from an APS psychologist.
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