The daunting task of pre-practicum education and training.

Abstract

Training and Education in Professional Psychology is published quarterly (beginning in February) by the American Psychological Association and the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. The journal is dedicated to enhancing supervision and training provided by psychologists and publishes manuscripts that contribute to and advance professional psychology education. For more information, including how to subscribe, please visit the journal's Web site at www.apa.org/pubs/journals/tep.

Developing a science of training in health service psychology: Contextual factors and recommendations for improvement.

“…This issue is further complicated by the fact that regulatory bodies do not make specific mention of this type of training or aspirations/goals thereof. Training in prepracticum has been discussed elsewhere (Fouad et al, 2009; Hatcher & Lassiter, 2007; Rodolfa et al, 2005), but an understanding of how graduate programs can help trainees achieve competencies at this level remains a challenge (Campbell, 2015). An assumption is that the training should be hands-on in some way, but is it sufficient for that to occur only within the context of a structured course, or would it be better for students to get more experience in vertical team practicum sections with real-life clients?…”