Becoming an Ed/Dev Psychologist
Today I celebrated my official endorsement as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist. I have been a registrar in this program for over two years and I would like to share with you what this entailed and how this benefits my clients.
What Is An Endorsement In Psychology?
Registration in an area of practice endorsement requires an additional two years of advanced training approved by the Psychology Board of Australia and entitles those psychologists to use the protected title relevant to their area of endorsement (e.g. Educational &Developmental Psychologist). Whilst on this program a psychologist may be referred to as a ‘registrar’ in their endorsement area.
How Long Does It Take?
Overall, the endorsement program equates to an eight year learning commitment. In Australia, general registration to practice as a psychologist requires completion of a minimum of six years of training comprising undergraduate and/or postgraduate university training and supervised practice. The endorsement program requires a minimum of a further two years of training, practice, and supervision.
What Does An Educational & Developmental Psychologist Do?
As an educational & developmental psychologist I use my knowledge of psychology, learning, and development to support children, adolescents, adults, and older adults regarding their learning, academic performance, behavioural, social, and emotional development.
Counselling & Advocacy Support
I provide individual, group, and client parent support as well as advocacy work including consultation with allied health teams, letter writing, report writing, attending stakeholder meetings, and providing recommendations. I can support access to disability specific funding such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and/or access to a Disability Support Pension (DSP).
Assessment / Diagnostic Impressions
I provide individual psychological assessment services including the administration of clinical interviews, the interpretation of observational data, the evaluation of self-reported and informant responses to completed questionnaires. If relevant ,I provide diagnostic impressions with reference to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM- 5 -TR). I offer detailed individual reports with accompanying verbal feedback sessions to discuss results, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations. I additionally provide follow up psychological support sessions post assessment to explore identity and build capacity.
Philosophy
I practice from a neurodiverse-affirming, developmentally appropriate, culturally specific, and individually relevant lens. My work is client centred, strength based, and collaborative. I work from a holistic, integrated framework that positions the individual at the centre of a complex social system.
Ethical
Administration practices such as note taking, client preparation, and general practice administration also constitute an important part of my psychology practice and professional conduct. I am guided by the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics (APA, 2017) three general principles:
Respect for the dignity and rights of all people
Competence and responsibility to clients, the profession, and society
Maintaining a high level of integrity and trust within professional relationships and the profession as a whole.
My Enduring Area Of Interest
My area of interest, as you may have already guessed, is in educational practices supporting young people’s access to inclusive learning environments and developmentally appropriate practices supporting humans navigate life throughout the life span. My special interest (SPIN) is in neurodevelopmental differences across the life span; autism specifically masked presentations, ADHD, demand avoidance, situational mutism, twice exceptionality, specific learning differences such as dyslexia, school refusal, and anxiety.
Professional Development
Professional development in the endorsement program is active, reflective, and relevant to educational and developmental knowledge and practices. Professional development includes listening to voices of those with lived experience, reading journal articles, considering evidence-based practices, attending training, monitoring, and reflecting on progress, providing, sharing, and contributing knowledge regarding appropriate developmental and educational practices to the wider community.
