The Mentors’ Corner is a regularly featured column in the Independent Practitioner (IP) that highlights discussions from the MENTORS listserv. In each issue of the IP, questions and answers pertinent to the Division 42 Student/Early Career Psychologist members will be addressed. If you are currently not signed on to the listserv, we encourage all members to participate and share in the stimulating discussions that take place. The Division consists of members who have a wealth of knowledge and various areas of expertise that should be shared with our new colleagues.

It is important to note that the opinions expressed on the listserv and within this column reflect individual perspectives and ideas only. As noted on the listserv, there are more than one means to an end. This column is intended to highlight important topics and to generate additional areas of thought and insight for our members.

Division 42 Mentor Program:
Division 42’s mentoring program, Colleague to Colleague, is up and running. Clearly, it is meeting a need that is present in the Division. We already have 12 pairs of mentors and mentees working together. I hope C2C will continue to grow and be even more successful. If you are interested in being paired with a mentor to assist you to be successful in your practice or if you are interested and willing to share some of your knowledge and expertise with a colleague please contact the coordinator of our mentoring program, Frank Froman, at frankf@adams.net.

Marlene Wheeler wrote:

Does anyone know of an assessment instrument that measures anger in the prison population? The literature on the Spielberg State-Trait Anger Scales (SAS & TAS) states that they are not very effective on this population because these individuals can easily “fake good.” I need a measure with proven validity and reliability because I will have to defend its use in court.
 

Steve Walfish replied:

I doubt if any short measure will have validity scales. That is why I always administer the STAXI in the context of a test battery that includes the MMPI.

Marlene Wheeler responded:

Thanks for the feedback. Also, thanks for the validation. That’s exactly what I did yesterday (STAXI + MMPI-2) when I needed a quick turnaround on a referral.

Steve Walfish added:

You are quite welcome. I assume that if the MMPI is valid then the other self-report instruments are also valid. I also assume if the MMPI is not valid then the other self-report instruments are not valid as well.

Jeff Barnett wrote:

Hi Everyone. From our colleague, Ken Pope, and of possible interest to many of you. Best wishes to all.
Subject: New online resources for pet loss & bereavement.

Some of you may have clients, friends, or colleagues who have lost a dog, cat, or other animal companion -- or you may experience that kind of loss.

I’ve just added some new resources to the web page of annotated links to online resources for animal loss and bereavement.
Many of the online resources were created by and are staffed by university veterinary schools. For example, one resource notes: “We are a group of veterinary students attending Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. We have been trained in grief counseling by a licensed therapist. We are all volunteers, many who have experienced the loss of a beloved pet. By helping others through this painful time, we hope to become better, more compassionate veterinarians.”
Some offer free phone support, such as the Alberta Canada Pet Loss Support Group, which notes that, “while most calls come from Calgary, the group has also provided much needed support and resource materials to people across Canada and the United States.”

Others offer Internet support. The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, for example, provides a free message forum focusing on “Prayers, Healing and Support” - a nonjudgmental service “for people whose pets are leaving this world or have already passed Over the Rainbow Bridge.”

There are also online articles such as “Pet Loss Myths.”

The resources embrace a wide range of animals. Hoofbeats in Heaven, for example, welcomes visitors with this statement: “While society is coming to increasingly accept that a dog or cat is a member of the family, a horse is still largely considered nothing more then livestock. Here we know that we can love our horse as much as any family member and we mourn their death just as deeply. Visitors to this site understand and respect the unique and deep bonds that we form with our equine companions.”

The resources include hotlines; bulletin boards; discussion groups; help with decisions about euthanasia; recommended readings; information for adults, children, and families who are losing or have lost a pet; information for veterinarians; ways to memorialize a pet; FAQs; peer support; and so on.

The web page is at http://catanddoghelp.com/animals/bereavement.php

Jennifer Hightower wrote:

I am looking for the manual and protocol for this measure. Does anyone know where I can access them?
Harter, S. (1985).The Self-Perception Profile for Children: Revision of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children. Denver, CO: University of Denver.

Keith Sutton replied:

I had Dr. Harter for a class at the University of Denver and we used this measure. It’s very good. I would suggest calling or e-mailing her. She’s very nice. http://www.du.edu/psychology/people/harter.htm

Andrew Scherbarth added:

Another option is to use the Self-Description Questionnaire II, which is a 50-item short form version of the original SDQ that has been used many times. The author is quite happy to allow others to use and look at it if you contact him. The study has psychometrics AND scoring directions. (If not the items and scoring directions, they can be sent to you.)

Kristal Stevens wrote:

I am currently completing a case study for an abnormal psych class. Does anyone have a certain format that they like to use?

Mitchell Hicks responded:

It would help greatly if you could define a little more clearly what you mean by “case study.”  In general, you might consider these headings:

• Relevant background information (include subheadings)
• Family history
       Medical and mental health history
       Substance use and abuse
       Academic and Social Functioning
• Presenting complaints, frequency/intensity/duration/situations of current problems and their effects on social, occupational/academic, and other functioning 
• Observations during interview (this would be a new heading)
• Mental Status Exam (new heading)

You probably have not been asked to do something like this, but if you were it would include things like orientation to time, place, person, and situation; level of alertness; dress/hygiene; speech; memory, distant and near; concentration; affect or what it appeared as though the person felt during session and was it congruent with mood or what the person was saying they felt or were talking about (e.g., if they were talking about grandmother’s death last week, were they sad or tearful (congruent) or laughing (mood incongruent affect); any signs or reports of perceptual or thought disturbance (hallucinations, delusions); thought processes (goal directed? poverty of content or poverty of speech?); and probably a few other things that I’m forgetting. Current and past suicidal and homicidal thoughts or actions, self harm behavior. If this paragraph is Greek to you, then I’d let it be unless your professor specifically asks for it.

• Diagnostic formulation (new paragraph).

Provide a diagnosis on Axes I-V and justify them (e.g., Mr. Jones reported that he has been experiencing depressed mood and a lack of interest in once enjoyable activities for the last six months. Further, he has reported significant changes in appetite, is sleeping poorly, and has gained 25 pounds. He indicated that he has been feeling worthless and hopeless, and has been having passive suicidal thoughts. Upon query, Mr. Jones denied any past episodes such as this, did not endorse any symptoms of hypomania or mania, and has been able to continue functioning in his work and familial roles though in a diminished capacity. Therefore, a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Single episode, moderate severity is warranted).  

• Theoretical conceptualization (new paragraph)

How do you understand what the client is experiencing based on a theory - major themes or issues as this would guide the next paragraph.

• Initial Treatment Plan

What are some possible short-, medium-, and long-term goals with this client?

Jimeka Setzer asked:

Can one become a licensed counselor with a master’s degree? Do you have to get your doctorate degree?

Laura Kortz replied:

Many states certify or license counselors as well. In some states, like New Jersey, where I’m doing an internship, there’s the LPC (which stands for Licensed Professional Counselor). New York and other states have the CMHC (Certified Mental Health Counselor). For more information see the American Counseling Association web site at:
http://www.counseling.org/Students/GraduatePrograms/TP/Home/CT2.aspx

For opportunities in psychology, including counseling psychology, see the APA web site for students:
http://www.apa.org/topics/psychologycareer.html

Mike Dorr added:

I am about to graduate in May with an M.S. in Clinical Psychology - this will be a “terminal” degree for me.  Here in Vermont, you can become a licensed Psychologist by having the required number of supervised hours as well as passing the EPPP (which is in fact a doctoral exam!)

As far as I know, VT is one of the few states that license Masters level psychologists.

Heath Gordon shared:

The answer to your first question is yes. You can become licensed as an LPC with a terminal master’s degree in counseling psychology. And you can become licensed as a psychologist in some states with a terminal master’s degree (VT and WV). The requirements for licensure between an LPC and a master-level psychologist are different (i.e., supervised experience, licensure exam), and there is a lot of debate about licensing master-level psychologists, which is really beyond the intent of this reply.

So in response to your second question, you do not have to obtain a doctoral degree to become licensed. However, determining if you are on the correct road toward licensure really depends upon your desired destination. What do you want to be able to do when you are licensed?

Like you, I pursued a terminal master’s degree in counseling psychology, and I obtained licensure as an LPC after completing my degree. In order to be licensed, I had to complete 60 credit hours of coursework, 3500 hours of supervised experience, and obtain a passing score on the NCE (National Counseling Exam). States vary on these requirements though. I found that my masters training prepared me for a career doing therapy within an organization (e.g., community mental health) or private practice; however, there are considerable limitations to practice and billing with an LPC. It is my understanding that master’s level psychologists have more leeway with regards to practice and billing, but again, you would have to live in one of the few states that offers this possibility.

My terminal master’s degree did not prepare me to teach at a university level, conduct research, do assessment, etc. If those are activities you want to engage in, you may want to consider pursuing a doctoral degree. In terms of doctoral training, some counseling psychology programs prefer a terminal masters degree prior to admission, so you could theoretically do both, which is what I have done. Becoming licensed at the doctoral level as a counseling psychologist will require that I complete 3-4 additional years of coursework, a year long internship, obtain a passing score on the EPPP (a more difficult exam than the NCE), and at least a year of post-doctoral training (depending on the state). It really depends on what you want to do and the level of understanding you want to obtain through training. The doctoral route definitely has greater advantages for me, but some of my classmates preferred the opportunities and appeal of faster training with the masters.

You are wise to check into this ahead of time and make an informed decision. The links provided in a previous email should be of assistance, and I would also encourage you to check with the LPC board and psychologist board in your state to find out all the requirements and benefits of licensure.