Welcome to JamPsych News!
Let's Elevate Our Profession: Psychology
The practice of Psychology is highly technical whether one's field is Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology or Organizational Psychology. This is why the use of the term 'psychologist' is protected in many jurisdictions and is applied exclusively to persons who have attained a doctoral degree in their psychological specialization. The Jamaican Psychological Society (JamPsych) adheres to this position and encourages all persons with qualifications in Psychology to register with the Society. Persons who hold master's degrees in Psychology can be registered with the Society as associate psychologists. Psychology students can also register as student members. Note that persons with a Bachelor's degree are not expected to take on counselling or psychological positions. This degree is mostly theoretical with minimal practical exposure and therefore lays the foundation for further training.
We anticipate that JamPsych will eventually be registered with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) which will license psychologists and associate psychologists to practice in Jamaica. Disciplinary matters would be arbitrated by the CPSM through JamPsych's ethics committee. In the interim, the Society is monitoring the activity of its members and persons purporting to be psychologists who are not qualified in the field.
The most common complaints JamPsych is receiving about practitioners are:
1. Misrepresentation: This can take several forms. In some cases, persons claim to be psychologists but do not have training in the field or in the area of specialization. Others use the term "psychologist" with a master's or undergraduate degree in psychology, suggesting that they have a higher level of training than they actually do.
2. Dual relationships: While dual relationships cannot always be avoided, they can severely complicate therapeutic relationships and should be the exception rather than the norm. It is preferred that the client be neither student, friend, family member, employee nor business associate of the psychologist.
3. Failure to maintain confidentiality
The Society is urging members to ensure that they adhere to the highest ethical standards in their practice of psychology. Where there is evidence of ethical breaches, please encourage clients to report their complaints to the JamPsych executive. When complaints are received, alleged offenders are contacted in writing, encouraged to respond, and asked to desist from any proven misconduct. Once the licensure legislation is in place, the executive will follow up with previous offenders to determine whether or not further action is necessary. JamPsych is committed to supporting excellence in the practice of psychology, and is soliciting the membership's support. Let us hold each other accountable and elevate our profession!
Calling all Students!
JamPsych is seeking to increase its student representation. If you are interested in representing your institution on JamPsych's executive, contact us at membership@jampsych.org. Alternatively, sign up at our upcoming AGM.
JamPsych is joining CANPA!
JamPsych is joining the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations (CANPA). Find out more about this organization here. Note that CANPA's conference, the Caribbean Regional Conference of Psychology will be held in Paramaribo, Suriname, November 11 - 14, 2014. We will be circulating the Call for Papers shortly.
JamPsych's Annual General Meeting: November 25, 2013
JamPsych's AGM will be held on Monday, November 25, 2013 at the PCJ Auditorium, 36 Trafalgar Road at 5:30pm. Please share any suggestions you might have about how to make this meeting both informative and interactive. Note that the executive positions that are up for election are: Secretary and Advocacy.
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