When I Grow Up

When I Grow Up

Dr. Linda Hancock

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Hancock has written a regular weekly column entitled “All Psyched Up” for newspapers in two Canadian provinces for more than a dozen years. Over the years, her readers and clients have said that they have benefited from her common-sense solutions, wisdom, and sense of humour. Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat. She can be reached at 403-529-6877 or through email office@drlindahancock.com

Published

June 15 2006

Many times, I receive telephone calls from individuals or hear clients express the fact that they would like to become a psychologist and are interested in knowing what that involves. They are often horrified to hear that I have the equivalent of 11 ½ years of university education as well as 2 years of Provisional internship.

In Canada, licensure and discipline are provincial matters and in the United States are state matters. Most jurisdictions require that individuals have an approved graduate degree in psychology or the equivalent (6 years of university study) before applying for Provisional status. Then a supervision plan is developed which focuses on the branch of psychology for specialization and a suitable supervisor and placement arranged. Some areas of study include:

Educational/School Psychology Clinical/Counselling Neuropsychology Forensic Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Health Psychology Rehabilitation Psychology

The candidate then experiences supervised practice for a minimum of 1600 hours (approximately 10 months). or the amount determined by the state/provincial body.

The EPPP examination which is used throughout North America requires a passing grade of 70 percent. An oral examination is conducted and, if the individual passes all the requirements s/he can apply to become a Registered Psychologist. The word "psychologist" is a protected title in most areas and only those who have registered able to use it.

Frequently individuals tell me that they think they would like to have my "job" but when they hear about the requirements to Register, immediately state that they have changed their minds.

Although the process is long and demanding, the results are rewarding and a sense of competency, confidence and accomplishment are experienced.