PSYU3399 profession dev + self care

Question 1

What ongoing professional development is required by psychologists each year?

Answer 1

A learning plan and 30 hrs of CPD including 10 hours of peer consultation.

Question 2

What are potential types of CPD?

Answer 2

• Conducting or attending psychology workshops, seminars, lectures or courses of study
• Writing, assessing, reading/viewing and analysing peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books, research proposals & grants, professional videos, audios, internet resources, scientific posters
• Providing peer consultation to another psychologist.

Question 3

How many hours of active CPD is recommended and what could it look like?

Answer 3

10 hours. Active training: seminars etc with written test, role playing, providing PC, oral presentations.

Question 4

If a psychologist has two endorsed areas of practice how much CPD must they do for each?

Answer 4

At least 15 in each relevant to that area

Question 5

What must be included in a CPD portfolio?

Answer 5

• Learning plan
• How the CPD relates to professional development
• all CPD activities + proof: receipts, invoices, certificates.

Question 6

What happens if a psychologist lies about having completed CPD and their portfolio is audited?

Answer 6

Punishments can include: refusal of registration, registration contingent on completing specified CPD activities, performance assessment, examination, disciplinary proceedings.

Question 7

Why is completion of CPD important?

Answer 7

Failure to do it is linked with burnout, lower standards and unhappiness. Important for wellbeing & job engagement, self-efficacy, competency/being equipped.

Question 8

What are the tools of the trade for psycs and counsellors?

Answer 8

Our knowledge, skills, experience, empathy, communication and problem-solving ability. Hence why we have to look after ourselves.

Question 9

What does poor self-care effect?

Answer 9

Motivation, energy &resilience, wisdom, judgement regarding others, self-awareness, problem solving, deal effectively with our feelings.

Question 10

What does burnout increase?

Answer 10

Dissatisfaction/disappointment, tension/anxiety, irritability, boredom, withdrawal, cynicism, fatigue

Question 11

What does burnout decrease?

Answer 11

Job engagement & satisfaction, energy & effort, self-esteem, feelings of effectiveness & fulfilment, pleasure, persistence, pride in work.

Question 12

What symptoms of burn out are particularly unhelpful for psychologists?

Answer 12

Aggressive feelings towards clients or workmates, sexual impulses towards clients, feelings of failure, emotional displays, complaining/spreading rumors, substance overuse.

Question 13

Do these symptoms actually indicate burnout?

Answer 13

Many people experience some of these most of the time but having several could be an early sign of ‘burning out’.

Question 14

According to Maslach & co. what are the three dimensions of burnout?

Answer 14

1) Exhaustion: stress, capacity, cog capacity
2) Cynicism: emotional & cognitive distancing, less empathy
3) Ineffectiveness: 1st feeling ineffective then actually being ineffective.

Question 15

In what order do these three dimensions occur?

Answer 15

Cynicism is an immediate reaction to exhaustion, while ineffectiveness can occur following cynicism or at the same time.

Question 16

According to Maslach’s mismatch theory how do situational factors contribute to burnout?

Answer 16

That burnout is much more likely when there is a mismatch between the work and the employees needs/capacity in 6 areas

1. Workload
2. Control (over resources/decisions)
3. Rewards (financial, intrinsic)
4. Community
5. Fairness
6. Values

Question 17

What demographics of people are more vulnerable to burnout?

Answer 17

Age: <30 more at risk
Gender not a factor
Unmarried, esp. men
Higher education

Question 18

The likelihood of burnout is higher for people with what personality characteristics?

Answer 18

People with low hardiness, external locus of control, poor coping styles, low self-esteem or stress prone.

Question 19

What personality traits or types have higher rates?

Answer 19

Those high in N: anxiety, hostility etc
Those prone to emotional instability/distress
Type A
‘feeling’ over ‘thinking’ types.

Question 20

What kind of attitude increases risk of burnout?

Answer 20

High expectations

Question 21

What kind of strategies can be help prevent burnout on an organisational level?

Answer 21

Promoting job engagement, and prioritising wellbeing, reducing conditions where there is a mismatch.

Question 22

What strategies can help an individual avoid burnout? Which dimensions do they address?

Answer 22

Not stress inoculation
Interpersonal & social skills training, relaxation training, time management training & meditation. They help to cope with exhaustion but not the other two.

Question 23

What are more helpful personal strategies that can be applied in and around the workplace?

Answer 23

Peer & other social support, supervision, prioritising recreation & recovery, ongoing edu, short breaks/stretching & debriefing. Personal counselling & therapy.

Question 24

What should you do when burnout is occurring?

Answer 24

Ask yourself what advise you would give a client. Talk to your supervisor and a trusted peer, and don’t be ashamed to get counselling or therapy.