University of Dublin Trinity College Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology (D. Clin. Psych.)
Dec 20, 2015
University of DublinTrinity College
Doctoral Programme
inClinical Psychology
(D. Clin. Psych.)
Why Choose TCD?Why Choose TCD?
• Integration of Academic/Clinical/Reflective practice
• Promotion of active involvement of trainee– Development of own interests
• Acceptance of different models• Partnership with HSE and others
Course StaffCourse StaffHead of School: Dr. Howard Smith
Course Director: Dr. Kevin Tierney
Lecturers: Dr. Charlotte WilsonDr. John O’Connor
Lecturer in Statistics & Methodology: Dr. David Hevey
Director of Clinical Coordination: Sinead Fitzgerald
Clinical Co-ordinator: Mary Fell John Davenport
Course Administrator: Ann Matthews
Course Secretary: Sheila McCormack
Course to-dateCourse to-date
• The course or its predecessors (the BPS Diploma course & the M.Sc in clinical psychology) have been in existence on a continuous basis since 1979.
• The course is responsible for the training of more than 30% of the clinical psychologists in Ireland who hold formal qualifications.
• Graduates of the course work throughout all of the health boards, the voluntary sector, the prison service, the education sector and university sector.
Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives • To train clinical psychologists who will possess
the following qualities: – A broad based approach– Ability to work with a wide range of client groups – High quality research skills & ability to apply them
to clinical practice.– Good understanding the context in which clinical
psychologists operate– Highly developed interpersonal skills – Effective communication skills – Ability to contribute to psychological knowledge– Effective ambassadors for the profession– Cultural sensitivity– Ethical approach to work
Course Structure
• The course comprises three major components: – Academic training – Research training – Clinical placements
• Students spend approximately 59% of course time on clinical placement
• Remainder is divided between the taught academic programme and research activity.
The Training ModelThe Training Model
• Reflective Scientist-Practitioner– Practitioner: Interpersonal skills– Scientist:
• Evidence based approaches• Applying scientific rigour to clinical work• Contributing to body of scientific knowledge
– Reflective: Personal awareness & learning through structured reflection on practice
Placement
1
Adult
Placement
2
Adult
Th
era
peu
tic S
kills
an
d P
ractic
e
Pers
on
al &
Pro
fessio
nal
Develo
pm
en
t
AdultClinical
psychology
Advanced Topics in Adult
psychology
Researc
h M
eth
od
s &
Sta
tistic
sR
esearc
h M
eth
od
s &
Sta
tistic
s
Placement
3
Child
Placement
4
Intellectual
Disability
Child &Adolescent
Clinical psychology
Clinical Psychology
& Intellectual Disability
Placement 5
Lifespan
Elective
Placement 6
Elective
SpecialistTopics in Clinical
Psychology
Psy 8
21 T
hesis
Year1
Year2
Year3
Placement Academic Research
Research Block
Sm
all S
cale
R
Research Methodology & Research Methodology & StatisticsStatistics
• Lectures & seminars present students with the relevant knowledge & conceptual background to design, conduct, analyse and report research findings
• Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies• Computer-based exercises provide students with
the necessary skills to enter, analyse and interpret data
• Small Scale Research Project (Year 1)– Service-led research
• D. Clin Psych Thesis (Year 3)– Literature review – Research dissertation (of publishable quality)
Clinical PlacementsClinical PlacementsChild and Adolescent
Services
• Primary Care• Community Services• Child & Adolescent Mental
Health
Adult/Older Adult Services
•Primary Care•Community Services•Psychiatric Hospitals•General Hospitals
Intellectual Disability Services
• Community Services for Children & Adults
• Residential Services for Children & Adults
Specialist Placements
•Older Adult•Clinical Neuropsychology •Services for Children with Autism•Health Psychology – Child and Adult•Forensic Settings•Specialist Psychotherapy Settings
Role of Clinical Role of Clinical PsychologistPsychologist
• Psychological assessment and formulation of individual, system or service problems
• Treatment using psychologically based techniques
• Evaluation of the outcomes of clinical intervention
• Consultation with other health professional to support them in their client work.
• Teaching and training of (i) psychologists and (ii) other health professionals
• Research including service evaluation
Role of Clinical Role of Clinical PsychologistPsychologist
• Contributing to policy development and service planning
• Participation in the design and implementation of health promotion / prevention strategies
• Management of services both directly and through participation in supervisory boards / committees
• Supervision of both psychologists and other health professionals
• Participation in investigation / inquiry processes• Provision of expert opinion for the courts and other
quasi-judicial processes
Range of care groupsRange of care groups• Infants, children and their families with developmental,
emotional, intellectual & physical disabilities and problems
• Adolescents with a wide range of difficulties from adjustment problems to serious mental health difficulties
• Adults with mental health problems ranging from less complex presentations through to severe and enduring mental health difficulties
• Families and couples with significant relationship difficulties
• Adults with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities
• Older adults and their carers• Victims of sexual and other abuse- both child and adult• Refugees and asylum seekers• Emergency response to people exposed to traumatic
events
Minimum Requirements Minimum Requirements
• 2.1 PSI accredited psychology degree
• 6 months relevant post-graduate clinical experience (supervised)
• Eligibility for employment in EU
• English Language competency
• Garda clearance
• Satisfactory references
Application evaluation Application evaluation 1) Academic Qualifications
– Degree grade/classification– Taught PG courses
2) Research Qualifications– Undergraduate research– Research assistant (either whole-time or part-time)– Presentations and publications– Research degree
3) Clinical Experience– Postgraduate experience with relevant client groups in
care-giving context– Supervised experience (supervised by a psychologist)– Psychology assistant (supervised by a clinical psychologist)
4) References– Academic– Clinical
Application EvaluationApplication Evaluation
• To qualify for next round– Minimum in each of 4 areas– Minimum overall score
Stage IIStage II
Selection centre• Academic tasks
– Essay– Research task– Others
• Group discussion
• Minimum standard in each task• Minimum overall score
Stage IIIStage III
• Interview (course team & employers) • Clinical knowledge • Clinical Suitability• Interpersonal qualities• Readiness for training
What are my What are my chances?chances?
What next….What next….
• Offer• Shortlist• Feedback
Why Choose TCD?Why Choose TCD?
• Integration of Academic/Clinical/Reflective practice
• Promotion of active involvement of trainee– Development of own interests
• Acceptance of different models• Partnership with HSE and others
Questions? Questions?