Australian Psychological Society

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is a professional association established to represent psychologists in Australia. The APS has more than 18,500 members, making it the largest professional body representing psychologists in Australia.[1] It has a Code of Ethics which APS members must agree to abide by[2], and a recommendation of appropriate fees charged for services.[3]

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Membership

The standard route to full membership (MAPS) of the APS involves six years of Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited study including two years masters program in a selected specialisation.[1] The postgraduate training must be in one of the following nine specialist areas of psychology as recognised by the APS and reflected by their colleges (in alphabetical order): clinical neuropsychology, clinical psychology, community psychology, counselling psychology, educational & developmental psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, organisational psychology, and sports psychology.[2] Alternate routes are available for those who have had gained experience and reputation in the field of psychology, including practitioners who have gained specialized expertise in a particular psychological area and academics who have made substantial contributions having published in psychological journals.[4]

Other levels of membership are available, such as associate membership (Assoc. MAPS), which is normally available to those who completed four years of APAC accredited undergraduate study. Affiliate membership requires a three year sequence of study in an APAC approved course in psychology.[3]

Undergraduate students studying any APAC accredited psychology units are eligible to become APS student subscribers. This subscription is dependent on continuing study in psychology.

Around 60% of all state registered psychologists are APS members, and student subscribers represent 12% of members. Of this, the gender breakdown by members is 74% female and 26% male.[5]

Education and training

Controversy has recently emerged regarding minimum standards for practising psychologists, particularly in view of plans by the federal government to introduce national psychologist registration in 2010.[4]

To be eligible for APS full membership a person is required to have a master's degree or a doctorate. APS provides associate member status to people who have completed four years of university education plus two years of supervised practice.[6]

The APS has nine specialist colleges, these are in the areas of neuropsychology, forsensic, community, health, clinical, counselling, education and development, organisational and sport. All APS College members typically have six or seven years of full-time university education, including a master's degree or doctorate and which involves intensive practical training and supervised placements relevant to the specialty area.

There are reports that the APS has recently accredited some members as clinical specialists who are eligible for membership of the College of Clinical Psychologists but do not hold a master's or doctorate in clinical psychology.[5] The APS has recently approved that psychologists with 4+2 training and no postgraduate degree will no longer be eligible to apply for APS college membership via the non-standard route, operable from 1 January 2011.[7]

Some clinical psychologists contend that the APS is effectively lowering national standards by arguing that a four year degree plus two years of supervision is adequate to qualify for the title "psychologist". These claims have been strongly refuted by the APS. A recent newspaper article highlighted concerns that four year degree psychologists were eligible for rebates under the federal government's Medicare Better Access scheme despite limited training in assessment and treatment. [6]

The APS in 2009 developed a new 5th year postgraduate diploma in professional practice and successfully advocated for a change to registration standards across all states and territories to introduce a new 5+1 pathway as a transitional alternative for the 4+2 pathway towards the ultimate goal of a minimum requirement of a professional master's degree for registration.[8]

This vocal group of clinical psychologists, including several academics, argue that consistent with the vast majority of Western nations, the minimum standard for psychologist registration should be at least a master's or doctorate in clinical psychology or some other psychology specialty (i.e. six to seven years of full-time university study plus one to two years of supervised work experience under an experienced trained specialist psychologist). [7]

In Western Australia, psychologist registration distinguishes between the generalist title of registered psychologist (i.e., four year trained) and one of seven specialist titles (clinical psychologist, forensic psychologist, etc.) who have attained a master's degree in their specialty and two years of supervised practice.[8]. (See also: Psychologist#Licensing and regulation)

All standards for the practice of psychology are currently determined by state registration boards. This is due to change in July 2010 when the Psychology Board of Australia will become the sole agency responsible.[9] The transition to this new body has caused significant friction within the profession as it is overseen by a government controlled executive who have made decisions at odds with previous professional practice. This includes not providing specialist registration which the APS has lobbied to include.[10]

See also

References

External links