Post-Graduate Training in Private Practice: A qualitative Study

The aim of this poster is to delineate dilemmas, pros and cons in neophyte psychologists undertaking clinical training in a context of a private psychologist practice in order to obtain their authorization as a psychologist.
Introduction:
In Denmark the universities training of psychologist is mainly theoretical. Thus, the clinical training is to be obtained after graduation. In order to obtain authorization as a psychologist the candidates must receive 160 hours of clinical supervision during fulltime occupation in at least two years. Until recently, this postgraduate training was mainly obtained in public positions. However, five years ago the Danish Association for Psychologist introduced a “trainee assistant arrangement” allowing neophyte candidates to work in private practice under an experienced psychologist supervision and guidance by psychologists in private practice having an arrangement with the public health insurance system.
The Trainee Assistant Candidate Arrangement:
This Trainee Assistant Candidate Arrangement is a set of requirements making it possible for
unauthorized psychologists to work in at private practice for maximum 12 month at least 15
working hours a week, with 2 hours of supervision a week. The employment can be either as an
employee or the unauthorized psychologist can be a private psychologist herself. Some of the
requirements are recommendations, others are rules to follow.

This Trainee Assistant Candidate Arrangement has never been systematically subjected to research of evaluating. Thus, the present study is the first one focusing on the specific conditions in this context, i.e. being intimate together in a small unit; the need to make a living; dual or multiple relationships, etc.
The status of this project;
The research data (interviews) is currently being collected. All of the interviews will be recorded and transcribed before July 2010.

Research Question:
“What are the pros and cons in the Trainee Assistant Candidate Arrangement, regarding the development of the unauthorized psychologists skills and identity as a psychologist, also with the focus of dual-relationship”
Method:
Qualitative, explorative semi-structured interviews. Average duration was 1½ hour.
Subjects:
15 neophyte psychologist candidates in the Trainee Assistant Candidate Arrangement in a private psychologist practice.