Vol.4 Issue No.1 - University of Guelph

Page 22012 CPADEALUMNIAs part of the self-study for applying for re-accreditation, 35 doctoral graduates of theprogramme received a survey from DCT Michael Grand, 18 of whom replied. Some excerpts areprovided below to give a sample of what alumni are doing and how they view the CP:ADEprogramme. Thank you to all of you who completed and returned the survey.Work setting:41% in a community mental health setting;29% in a hospital, 12% at a schoolboard, 35% in private practice and 6% asa research associate.Registration status:82% are currently registered registeredwith a College of Psychologists; 18% areIn the process of being registered .Percentage of alumni working with differentclient groups :Alcohol/drug use – 18%Child abuse/protection – 33%Poverty – 35%Minority cultural group - 47%Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered – 24%Developmental Delay – 65%Learning/cognitive disability – 94%Physical disability – 41%Chronic health problem – 29%Internalizing difficulties – 100%Externalizing difficulties – 100%Psychosis 17%Parental mental health - 53%First Nations communities – 29%Autism/developmental disabilities –71%Forensic – 6%pro bono work with clients 33% .Theoretical orientations identified with byalumni:Behavioral – 24%Cognitive Behavioral – 82%Developmental – 88%Family Systems – 53%Humanistic/Experiential – 6%Interpersonal – 29%Narrative – 24%Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic - 12%Integrative – 18%Dialectic/ACT – 6%Research activities:Although 100% self- identified as primarilypractitioners, since graduating, severalhave published,, reviewed journal submissions,and/or received research grants.Knowledge translation:67% have given presentations to communitygroups and 39% have presented atconferences. Some (6% each) have appearedon TV or radio or a webinar, publishedarticles in magazines or newspapers;engaged in public health consultation,and/or lobbied or consulted withmembers of the Legislature. 11% testifiedin court as a psychologist. 33% donatedtime to pro bono work with non-profitgroups .Supervision of others:On average each alumni has supervisedone practicum students as well as interns,medical students, post docs, temporaryregistrants.Satisfaction with quality of CP:ADEtraining,54% replied very satisfied and 47% extremelysatisfied.Satisfaction with relevance of CP:ADEtraining:12% replied moderately satisfied, 53% verysatisfied, and 35% extremely satisfied.Assets of the programme identified by respondentsincluded:the Centre for Psychological Services toextend and enrich courseworkand practicum training underexcellent supervision and throughteam meetingsan integrative theoretical orientationthat highlighted the developmentalcontextualization of psychopathologyand focussed on typicaldevelopment firstdevelopment of a solid basis of programevaluation skillsthe small size of the programme makingit possible for the professorsand associate clinicians to provideus with a great deal of attention,both in and out of classthe professors and clinical supervisorsincluding their high level of expertise,variety of theoretical andpractical orientations and genuineinterest in the success of studentsto help students to thinkmore flexibly, rather than seeingthings consistently through thesame lensesthe supportive environment that discouragedcompetitiveness andcreated a wonderful place for developingand exploring my ownstrengths.Life in the Field: the realities of working in different sectorsOne of the questions on the Alumni survey asked what changes to the programme are recommended. One response was providing students with a greater understanding of the typesof job opportunities available, some of the realities of working in different sectors (e.g., private,community, hospital, forensic); licensing/areas of competence; opportunities to becomeinvolved in local to global communities; how to maintain research involvement etc. Alumnican help with this through contributions to this newsletter. Everyone will appreciate your submissionon “Life in the Field” for future newsletters.