The University of New England’s Professional Psychology Programs have secured funding under the National Leadership in Mental Health Postgraduate Psychology Incentive Program, strengthening UNE’s role in tackling critical psychology shortages across Australia.
Acting Director of the Postgraduate Professional Psychology Programs and Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Dr Amanda Jefferys, says the grant arrives at a crucial time.
“There remains critical shortages in psychology workforce across Australia and rural and remote areas are heavily impacted,” she says. “The Incentive Program will enable UNE to foster the training of clinicians to meet the depth and breadth of experience required to work into areas of need.”
The funding will support UNE’s professional team to deliver high level training that builds advanced skills and prepares students to become work ready psychologists.
“The grant supports our professional team to implement high level training modalities to support advanced skill development for students and meet their learning goals to become psychologists. UNE's focus is to train students to support the critical shortage in rural, regional, and remote regions.”
Training clinicians “on country”
Dr Jefferys says the grant also recognises UNE’s innovative approach to training psychologists in and for regional communities.
“Our amazing team have been active in innovating areas to modernise teaching, support the training of clinicians ‘on country’, and foster the remarkable resilience and reward of working rurally,” she explains. “This success hinges on our ability to innovate within a program to meet the needs of the students to achieve their goal to become a psychologist.”
The need in rural areas is acute.
“The shortfall is extreme in rural communities and specialist clinicians are rare. Rural clients often present with higher order needs and extreme and repeated exposures and as such require and deserve knowledgeable and skilled clinicians.”
Building a pipeline of highly skilled rural clinicians
In practical terms, the grant will help build a pipeline of clinicians equipped for complex work in regional, rural, and remote settings.
“The grant in real practical terms will supply a pipeline of clinicians that have acquired the depth and breadth of experience to be highly valued in their community,” Dr Jefferys says. “We are addressing areas of need and cultural influences in reviewing placement experiences, supporting our students with additional training in the updated competencies to support their transition to work and being able to open up our program to support rural, regional and remote communities.”
Students will benefit from a modernised curriculum and strong local ties.
“Students will have the benefit of a truly modernised curricula, meeting the standards of accreditation, have access to highly skilled clinicians and teaching, and be able to achieve their personal goals whilst remaining ‘on country’ embedded in their community and with their family.”
A team effort and a clear vision
Dr Jefferys emphasises that the grant outcome reflects a long term team effort.
“Like any gain in life this grant is a true team effort and interestingly a ‘legacy project’ for many who contributed historically and currently to this plan,” she says. “We have the support of our School with special thanks to our Head of School, Einar Thorsteinsson, who always supports our innovations and goals. We are also truly blessed with an amazing team of colleagues who constantly work at the cutting edge of education and applied work.”
Looking ahead, her vision for the impact of the grant is clear.
“Our vision is to alleviate the shortfalls of psychologists by addressing a level of training and skill development and applied competence beyond the expectations of community. This grant will deliver when we reflect in 5 years, evidence of our forward thinking, proactive management of programs, and a highly effective expanded workforce of clinicians from a UNE country base.”
