ON BECOMING A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: THE EXPERIENCES OF AN UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/1812-6371/1625Keywords:
Clinical psychology, Master’s selection, Posttraumatic growthAbstract
The study explored the lived experiences of students enrolled in psychology master’s clinical programmes who had previously been unsuccessful applicants. The study sought to establish whether qualities of growth may have manifested during the aftermath of being unsuccessful and how this may have affected the participants’ success. The study adopted a qualitative research method and data were collected by means of individual semi-structured interviews. The data produced 7 superordinate themes, Choosing psychology and undergraduate experience; master’s selection and the first attempt; rejection and the process; preparation and the second attempt; “rejection†remains a constant; accepted but am I good-enough; and acceptance and the new insights. The process of becoming a psychologist, which is filled with uncertainty and growth, resonates with the eventual dynamics psychologists must grapple with in training and in practice. Essentially, being unsuccessful creates a void, an anxiety that unsuccessful applicants should process and, hopefully, accept. The curious paradox is that it may be the very uncertainty of becoming a psychologist trainee that may allow anxious and doubtful applicants become open and reflective psychologists.References
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we made progress? South African Journal of Psychology, 34(4), 630–656.
DOI: 10.1177/008124630403400408
Borawski, B. M. (2007). Reflection on adversarial growth and trauma through
auto-ethnography. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 12, 101-110. DOI: 10.1080/15325020600864528
Calhoun, L. G. & Tedeschi, R. G. (1996). The posttraumatic growth inventory: Measuring
the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9(3), 455-471.
DOI: 10.1007/BF02103658
Calhoun, L. G. & Tedeschi, R. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations
and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1-18. DOI: 10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
Chippindall, R. & Watts, J. (1999). An investigation of the pre-eminent assumptions of
selectors underlying the admission of candidates to the MA (Clin. Psych.) programme at the University of the Witwatersrand. South African Journal of Psychology, 29(3), 109-116. DOI: 10.1177/008124639902900302
Cooper, S. & Nicholas, L. (2012). An overview of South African psychology. International
Journal of Psychology, 47(2), 89-101. DOI: 10.1080/00207594.2012.660160
Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of qualitative research (3rd Ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. S. (2003). Introduction: The discipline and practice of
qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Strategies of qualitative inquiry (pp. 1-33). Thousand Oakes, CA: Sage.
DiCaccavo, A. (2002). Investigating individuals’ motivations to become counselling
psychologists: The influence of early caretaking roles within the family. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, 75, 463-472.
DOI: 10.1348/147608302321151943
Eatough, V. & Smith, J.A. (2008). Interpretive phenomenal analysis. In C.Willig &
W.Stainton-Rogers (Eds.). The Sage handbook of interpretive phenomenal analysis qualitative research in psychology. London: Sage Publications.
Guba, E. G. & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research.
In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105-
117). London: Sage Publication.
Hayes, N. (1996). What makes a good psychology graduate distinctive? European
Psychologist, 1(2), 130-134. DOI: 10.1027/1016-9040.1.2.130
Health Professions Council of South Africa (2013) – News Letter.
Hurter, K. (2009). Usefulness of the use of Neo PI-R Personality Profiles in the selection of
psychology master’s applicants. Master’s dissertation, NMMU, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Kagee, A. (2014). South African psychology after 20 years of democracy: Criticality, social
development, and relevance. South African Journal of Psychology, 1-14. DOI: 10.1177/0081246314534147
Kagee, A. & Lund, C. (2012). Psychology training directors’ reflections on evidence based
practice in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 42(1), 103-113. DOI: 10.1177/008124631204200111
Kaminer, D. (2006). Healing process in trauma narratives: A review. South African Journal
of Psychology, 36(3), 481-499. DOI: 10.1177/008124630603600304
Kaschula, J. (2002). The selection paradox: Selecting and evaluating trainee psychologists
in the context of narrative therapy. Master’s dissertation, Rhodes University,
Grahamstown, South Africa.
Kashdan, T. B. & Kane, J. Q. (2010). Post-traumatic distress and the presence of post-
traumatic growth and meaning in life: Experiential avoidance as a moderator. Personality and Individual difference, 50, 84-89. DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2010.08.028
Kottler, A. & Swartz, S. (2004). Rites of passage: Identity and the training of clinical
psychologists in the South African context. South African Journal of Psychology,
34(1), 55-71.
Mander, G. (2004). The selection of candidates for training in psychotherapy and counselling.
Psychodynamic Practice, 10(2), 161-172. DOI: 10.1080/14753630410001686762
Manganyi, C. (2013). Becoming a psychologist in apartheid South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 43(1), 278-288. DOI: 10.1177/0081246313493597
Mayekiso, T., Strydom, F., Jithoo, V. & Katz, L. (2004). Creating new capacity through
postgraduate selection. South African Journal of Psychology, 34(4), 657-671. DOI: 10.1177/008124630403400409
Pillay, A. L. (2009). Apartheid and post-apartheid intern clinical psychology training in
South Africa. Psychological Reports, 105(3), 697-700.
DOI: 10.2466/PR0.105.3.697-700
Pillay, A. L., Ahmed, R. & Bawa, U. (2013). Clinical psychology training in South Africa:
A call to action. South African Journal of Psychology, 43(1), 46-58. DOI: 10.1177/0081246312474411
Pillay, A. L. & Harvey, B. M. (2006). The experiences of the first South African
community service clinical psychologists. South African Journal of Psychology,
36(2), 259-280. DOI: 10.1177/008124630603600204
Pillay, A. L. & Johnston, E. R. (2011). Intern clinical psychologists’ experiences of their
training and internships. South African Journal of Psychology, 41(1), 74-82. DOI: 10.1177/008124631104100108
Richter, L. M., Griesel, R. D., Durheim, K.,Wilson, M., Surendorff, N. & Asafo-Agyei, L.
(1998). Employment opportunities for psychology graduates in South Africa: A
contemporary analysis. South African Journal of Psychology, 28(1), 1-6. DOI: 10.1177/008124639802800101
Rock, B. & Hamber, B. (1994). Psychology in a future South Africa: The need for a
national psychology development programme. Paper commissioned by the
Professional Board of Psychology of the South African Medical and Dental
Council, November, RSA.
Shenton, A. K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research
projects. Education for Information, 22, 63-75.
Smith, J.A. (2007). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods.
London: Sage.
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P. & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological
analysis: Theory, method and research. London: Sage
Suffla, S. & Seedat, M. (2004). How has psychology fared over ten years of democracy?
Achievements, challenges and questions. South African Journal of Psychology,
34(4), 513-519. DOI: 10.1177/008124630403400401
Wheeler, S. (2002). Nature or nurture: are therapists’ born or trained? Psychodynamic
Practice, 8(4), 427-441. DOI:10.1080/1353333021000038809
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research design and methods (4th Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage.
we made progress? South African Journal of Psychology, 34(4), 630–656.
DOI: 10.1177/008124630403400408
Borawski, B. M. (2007). Reflection on adversarial growth and trauma through
auto-ethnography. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 12, 101-110. DOI: 10.1080/15325020600864528
Calhoun, L. G. & Tedeschi, R. G. (1996). The posttraumatic growth inventory: Measuring
the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9(3), 455-471.
DOI: 10.1007/BF02103658
Calhoun, L. G. & Tedeschi, R. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations
and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1-18. DOI: 10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
Chippindall, R. & Watts, J. (1999). An investigation of the pre-eminent assumptions of
selectors underlying the admission of candidates to the MA (Clin. Psych.) programme at the University of the Witwatersrand. South African Journal of Psychology, 29(3), 109-116. DOI: 10.1177/008124639902900302
Cooper, S. & Nicholas, L. (2012). An overview of South African psychology. International
Journal of Psychology, 47(2), 89-101. DOI: 10.1080/00207594.2012.660160
Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of qualitative research (3rd Ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. S. (2003). Introduction: The discipline and practice of
qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Strategies of qualitative inquiry (pp. 1-33). Thousand Oakes, CA: Sage.
DiCaccavo, A. (2002). Investigating individuals’ motivations to become counselling
psychologists: The influence of early caretaking roles within the family. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, 75, 463-472.
DOI: 10.1348/147608302321151943
Eatough, V. & Smith, J.A. (2008). Interpretive phenomenal analysis. In C.Willig &
W.Stainton-Rogers (Eds.). The Sage handbook of interpretive phenomenal analysis qualitative research in psychology. London: Sage Publications.
Guba, E. G. & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Competing paradigms in qualitative research.
In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 105-
117). London: Sage Publication.
Hayes, N. (1996). What makes a good psychology graduate distinctive? European
Psychologist, 1(2), 130-134. DOI: 10.1027/1016-9040.1.2.130
Health Professions Council of South Africa (2013) – News Letter.
Hurter, K. (2009). Usefulness of the use of Neo PI-R Personality Profiles in the selection of
psychology master’s applicants. Master’s dissertation, NMMU, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Kagee, A. (2014). South African psychology after 20 years of democracy: Criticality, social
development, and relevance. South African Journal of Psychology, 1-14. DOI: 10.1177/0081246314534147
Kagee, A. & Lund, C. (2012). Psychology training directors’ reflections on evidence based
practice in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 42(1), 103-113. DOI: 10.1177/008124631204200111
Kaminer, D. (2006). Healing process in trauma narratives: A review. South African Journal
of Psychology, 36(3), 481-499. DOI: 10.1177/008124630603600304
Kaschula, J. (2002). The selection paradox: Selecting and evaluating trainee psychologists
in the context of narrative therapy. Master’s dissertation, Rhodes University,
Grahamstown, South Africa.
Kashdan, T. B. & Kane, J. Q. (2010). Post-traumatic distress and the presence of post-
traumatic growth and meaning in life: Experiential avoidance as a moderator. Personality and Individual difference, 50, 84-89. DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2010.08.028
Kottler, A. & Swartz, S. (2004). Rites of passage: Identity and the training of clinical
psychologists in the South African context. South African Journal of Psychology,
34(1), 55-71.
Mander, G. (2004). The selection of candidates for training in psychotherapy and counselling.
Psychodynamic Practice, 10(2), 161-172. DOI: 10.1080/14753630410001686762
Manganyi, C. (2013). Becoming a psychologist in apartheid South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 43(1), 278-288. DOI: 10.1177/0081246313493597
Mayekiso, T., Strydom, F., Jithoo, V. & Katz, L. (2004). Creating new capacity through
postgraduate selection. South African Journal of Psychology, 34(4), 657-671. DOI: 10.1177/008124630403400409
Pillay, A. L. (2009). Apartheid and post-apartheid intern clinical psychology training in
South Africa. Psychological Reports, 105(3), 697-700.
DOI: 10.2466/PR0.105.3.697-700
Pillay, A. L., Ahmed, R. & Bawa, U. (2013). Clinical psychology training in South Africa:
A call to action. South African Journal of Psychology, 43(1), 46-58. DOI: 10.1177/0081246312474411
Pillay, A. L. & Harvey, B. M. (2006). The experiences of the first South African
community service clinical psychologists. South African Journal of Psychology,
36(2), 259-280. DOI: 10.1177/008124630603600204
Pillay, A. L. & Johnston, E. R. (2011). Intern clinical psychologists’ experiences of their
training and internships. South African Journal of Psychology, 41(1), 74-82. DOI: 10.1177/008124631104100108
Richter, L. M., Griesel, R. D., Durheim, K.,Wilson, M., Surendorff, N. & Asafo-Agyei, L.
(1998). Employment opportunities for psychology graduates in South Africa: A
contemporary analysis. South African Journal of Psychology, 28(1), 1-6. DOI: 10.1177/008124639802800101
Rock, B. & Hamber, B. (1994). Psychology in a future South Africa: The need for a
national psychology development programme. Paper commissioned by the
Professional Board of Psychology of the South African Medical and Dental
Council, November, RSA.
Shenton, A. K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research
projects. Education for Information, 22, 63-75.
Smith, J.A. (2007). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods.
London: Sage.
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P. & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological
analysis: Theory, method and research. London: Sage
Suffla, S. & Seedat, M. (2004). How has psychology fared over ten years of democracy?
Achievements, challenges and questions. South African Journal of Psychology,
34(4), 513-519. DOI: 10.1177/008124630403400401
Wheeler, S. (2002). Nature or nurture: are therapists’ born or trained? Psychodynamic
Practice, 8(4), 427-441. DOI:10.1080/1353333021000038809
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research design and methods (4th Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage.
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Published
2017-05-03
How to Cite
Booysen, Duane D., and Anthony V. Naidoo. 2017. “ON BECOMING A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: THE EXPERIENCES OF AN UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANT”. New Voices in Psychology 12 (1):23-39. https://doi.org/10.25159/1812-6371/1625.
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