As Incoming Chair I Would Like to Take This Opportunity to Write to You and Introduce Myself

Dear Members,

As incoming Chair I would like to take this opportunity to write to you and introduce myself.

I have worked for the NHS full-time for 14 years with older adults since qualifying in 2002. I sit on a number of different committees: The North Thames Faculty of the Psychology of Older People, the Black and Asian Counselling Psychology group, Workforce Planning Advisory sub-committee, Unite Applied Psychologists’ National Organising Professional Committee, Presidential Taskforce, and I am the facilitator of the NHS Psychology Network which is open to all Applied Psychologists. Over recent years I have co-authored a book chapter with Dr AfreenHuq [Consultant Clinical Psychologist] about Professional and Ethical Issues in working with older adults (Handbook of Professional & Ethical Practice for Psychologists, Counsellors and Psychotherapists by Tribe & Morrissey; 2015).My Doctorate research about Older Adult's Experience of Psychological Therapy was published in the CPR [June 2016] and I am a co-editor of the Culture & Diversity Booklet.Over the last few years I have developed an interest in poetry and recently my poem ‘This Gathering of Women’ was chosen as one of 100 winners selected for the National Poetry Anthology 2017 to be published next year. In addition my poem entitled ‘Poetry’ will be published in December 2016 in Moments of Inspiration to showcase the work of a group of poets.

On 25th July I travelled to Yokohama, Japan for the ICP conference [31stInternational Congress of Psychology]. I presented my older adult research there as part of a symposium called: ‘Listening to the voices of older adults to improve psychological health and well-being.I believe it is important for Counselling Psychologists to disseminate their research as part of our continuing professional development and it also strengthens us as a scientist-practitioners.

Shortly before taking on the role of Chair last month, I presented at a Career talk [22/6/16] at the BPS to those interested in training to become Counselling Psychologists. I enjoyed answering questions and meeting those that attended as this also helps me to understand the views of future trainees. I was invited to present at the 27th workshop for trainees and undergraduates which is a DCoP trainee event [06/07/2016] to talk about ‘The Centrality of Cultural & Contextual Factors in Psychological Therapy: Working with Older Adults in Mental Health’ those in attendance were curious about my work with older people and I learnt from others as they shared their perspectives on older people.I have agreed to take part in ‘Psychologists’ Live’ which is organised by the Black and Asian Counselling Psychology group [BACPG] in October as part of a panel. The event is in a ‘question time format to offer our thoughts, opinions and professional expertise to live questions and via emails’. I am also looking forward to being part of a DCoP short film arranged by our Training Lead to “showcase what Counselling Psychologists do to reflect the broad range of work that we engage in across the UK”.Look out for my 1:1 interview in The Psychologist in the November issue.

I believe that it is important that to become more visible as Counselling Psychologists to dispel myths about who we are as a professional group and the knowledge and skills we hold. Being more visible can mean we are seen and heard, which can make us influential in shaping important issues. When I say yes to different tasks and roles [ie: public speaking, leadership, writing etc] I don’t always feel confident, however I am learning that with courage, by rising up , facing my fears and trying new things I am learning to be confident and I am also representing Counselling Psychology by putting myself out there. I would encourage members to contribute to Consultation documents and in other ways so that our professional voice is continually heard.

Since becoming Chair DCoPmembers have been in touch about a variety of issues particularly issues concerning race & social justice, inequality and employment discrimination. As a Division we are working hard to support members when they experience difficulties. As a member of the Unite Applied Psychologists’ National Organising Professional Committee and the Workforce planning sub-committee it is acknowledged that organisations do not always recruit by competency.

I recently wrote to the Presidential team about this matter to draw attention to recruitment processes that appear to discriminate against Counselling Psychologists by not fully acknowledging their competencies, such as in supervision, leadership, neuropsychology and Doctoral level training despite there being moves at the BPS towards an individual competence-based skills approach rather than the specialist title gained at qualification to denote skills and ability required for practitioner psychologist roles. This is demonstrated in a letter endorsed by the Professional Practice Board of the BPS about competence-based recruitment for psychologist posts:

If members encounter such difficulties you could consider sending a copy of this letter signed by the Chairs to the recruiting employer and mention that the BPS encourages recruitment by competencies. You may also wish to contact Unite to highlight the legal implications of the discrimination you face.Unite are aware that recruitment by competency does not always take place.

Please take a look at Peter Kinderman’s presidential blog on the BPS website [he encourages members to contact him ‘directly’]. He refers to the Presidential Taskforce of which I am a part and Dr Helen Nicholas [Past Chair] so we can represent the interests of DCoP members. Interestingly in his blog he states:

“Jobs should be planned, and then advertised and recruited to, on the basis of competencies, from which any use of adjectival title should follow. If psychologists from several Divisions could fulfill the requirements of a particular post, then it's wise to maximize your chances of successful recruitment, and recruit accordingly.We launched a Presidential Task Force to investigate and make recommendations in this area. I encourage members to debate this issue, including with other colleagues in your relevant Division, and to communicate with me directly. We will be looking at examples of best practice - including such things as innovative curricula for the training of psychologists, novel approaches to supervised practice and clinical placements, examples of job descriptions and recruitment advertisements - as well as listening to members’ views on Society policy in the areas of training and regulation. As the Presidential Taskforce begins its work (and we are having our first meeting this week), we will explore how we can encourage greater visibility of the “efficiency and usefulness” of members and promote the competencies of our various branches of psychology”.

I am very proud to be the Chair of this Division and with the expertise of the Executive committee and the membership I intend to work hard to support the Division as it continues to grow. As mentioned in my annual report the strategy meeting will take place in September 2016 where the plans for the next year will be set out.

I welcome feedback and ideas from the membership as we grow stronger and become more visible as a professional group.

Best Wishes

Maureen

Dr Maureen McIntoshPsychD, AFBPsS

Chair of the Division of Counselling Psychology

CPsychol,Counselling Psychologist
HCPC Practitioner Psychologist