SPA 2023 - From Assessment Coursework to Clinical Work

Abstract

Transitioning from assessment coursework to clinical work is a difficult and demanding process that can often feel overwhelming to all those involved. Well informed preparation is critical for students, instructors, trainees, supervisors, and by default clients. While most of us broadly recognize this topic, identifying and managing the many details of this complex process is necessary. This symposium will focus on the multiple intricacies when preparing students toward clinical assessment work. The core foundational components will be identified along with the benefits, limitations, and challenges of various aspects of assessment teaching and training, as well as recommendations for actual implementation and utility considering different program realities. This will include the role of advanced student support such as teaching assistants and peer supervisors; gathering, and incorporating cultural identity data; developing context driven conceptualization; direct interactions throughout the assessment process; and of course producing written and verbal feedback. Such aspects and direct experiences will be described via several graduate health service psychology students across levels of training from two different programs including students, TAs, clinical trainees, and peer supervisors. Graduate students/trainees and clinical supervisors will discuss their own experiences with the learning/teaching process and overcoming various challenges when transitioning from classwork to clinical work. Reflections, lessons learned, and suggestions for future research and clinical training will be provided.

Speakers

Hadas Pade | California School of Professional Psychology San Francisco

Andrew Wright | New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

Lisa Vassiliadis | California School of Professional Psychology San Francisco

Elizabeth Kwong | California School of Professional Psychology San Francisco

Jeng Ying Zhen Ang | New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

Victoria Alvarado | California School of Professional Psychology San Francisco

Aakriti Prasai | New York University

Pei-Ying Lo | California School of Professional Psychology San Francisco

Brittany Matthews | New York University

Goals & Objectives

1. Participants will be able to list the core components critical for preparing students for clinical work in assessment Participants will be able to discuss the role of peer supervision in clinical assessment training including benefits and limitations Participants will be able to identify the necessity of a cultural interview in clinical assessment training towards meaningful and context driven assessments