CRHSP Meet a Registrant
1. What are the highlights of your current practice as a Psychologist?
One of the highlights of my current practice as a psychologist is my role as a practice advisor at the newly amalgamated College in BC. The new College finalised its amalgamation in June 2024, and I am excited that I could be a part of this new development of our profession in BC. In addition to psychology, the new College regulates eight other health and care professions. While we may not always agree on different issues, it is an interesting and rewarding experience to work with these other health and care professionals in protecting the public. I certainly feel very privileged and honoured to be able to use my education, experience, skills, and training to help answer questions about the practice of psychology in BC from the public and our fellow colleagues.
2. What has changed in the practice of psychology over the years for you?
I have had several major turning points along my professional journey. Right after graduating from a clinical psychology programme, I started working with the child and youth population at a provincial government agency given some of my past experiences in working with children, youth, and families. After working for the provincial government for a few years, I went into private practice and started working gradually more with the adult population. Along the way, my focus also switched from psycho-diagnostic to psycho-legal issues. In fact, I was so intrigued by the combination of psychology and law to the point that I went to law school in the last few years to pursue my legal education and training. At this juncture of my professional journey, while still practicing in private practice, I have just started working at the College in BC as a part-time practice advisor. My journey is indebted to all my health services psychology training. Without these trainings over the years, I will not be able to do the things that I have been doing.
3. What do you value in being a CRHSP Registrant?
Becoming a registrant of the CRHSP is likely one of the best decisions that I have made along my professional journey. As a registrant of the CRHSP, I have access to current psychology information and can stay on top with the development of our profession in Canada and other places. I also have access to pick the psychology minds across the nation via our listserv, when needed. Partnering up with the NRHSP in the U.S., as a registrant of the CRHSP, I am able to access many of the continuing professional courses available to the members of the counterpart organisation. Last, but not the least, I am also able to showcase my credential being a registrant of the CRHSP. The credential differentiates my experience and training from others and helps establish the confidence that others have in my opinion and skills.
4. What would your advice be for new Psychologists beginning their careers?
First of all, psychology is a fascinating and rewarding career. A lot of the skills that we have learned in psychology are transferrable and translatable to many different issues and settings. Think outside the box when it comes to career development. In addition to the traditional setting, such as private practice, research, and teaching, there are a lot of other areas that could utilise our skills as a psychologist, such as community education, policy development, and social justice. Another suggestion is to engage in the local psychology associations and the national psychology organisations, such as the CRHSP. We often work in silos and do not always have a chance to orchestrate our efforts in furthering psychological services in our community, especially when it comes to funding our services. Participating in local psychology associations and national organisations, such as CRHSP, is the only way to ensure that psychological services will not be marginalised. When compared to many of the other health and care professionals, we do not always have the largest number of memberships. Yet, our experiences, skills, and training as a psychologist often make a huge impact in our community. Staying active in these organisations help ensure that we could have a concerted effort to bring psychology to the forefront of our various communities.
5. What is one of the things on your bucket list that you are looking forward to?
I am always curious about how else psychology could be further developed in the future. One of the very few “good” things about the last few years is the development of technology. For example, it is amazing how much time that I am able to save from driving by working from home. I do hope to enhance some of my technical skills and am very interested in seeing how technology, such as generative artificial intelligence, will affect healthcare access and delivery, especially psychological services. Not sure if I will go back to school again for that, but it is one of the things on my bucket list to learn more about these issues.
