The shift towards consulting psychology in South Africa :implications for training

[摘要] The recent history of psychology in South Africa has seen a shift amongstclinical/counselling psychologists towards a distinct practice modality. Theoverarching aim of this study is to explore the shift amongst clinical/counsellingpsychologists towards the consulting psychology modality, and to investigate theimplications of this shift for the training of psychologists in South Africa. Thetrend towards consulting psychology is investigated through an analysis of thedescribed experiences and perceptions of registered clinical/counsellingpsychologists working in consulting roles; educators involved in the training ofpsychologists; and consumers of the services of consulting psychologists.Juxtaposition of the competencies required for success as a consultingpsychologist with the competencies acquired in current clinical/counsellingtraining programmes has implications for a potential reconceptualisation oftraining approaches in the light of this shift. A grounded theory approach isemployed to access the perceptions of those most intimately involved in the fieldwithout manipulating these through the lens of a pre-defined hypothesis. Theperceptions, as accessed via interviews and focus groups, of 9 consultingclinical/counselling psychologists, 10 educators, and 8 consumers form atriangulated depiction of the shift to this practice modality, the competencies itrequires, and the efficacy of current clinical/counselling training programmes inequipping psychologists for a consulting role. Analysis of these inputs indicatesthat clinical/counselling psychologists lack certain competencies vital to successful consulting. They do, however, possess many of the core-competenciesrequired. Hence, while the training of psychologists may require review in orderto meet the changing needs of both providers and consumers of consultingpsychology services in South Africa, many of the facets of currentclinical/counselling programmes are indispensable.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University