Introduction
Psychology is a profession which can be fulfilled if the psychologist plans to have a progressive career development. McMurran (2006, p. 1) believes that psychology is a field that is built on cumulative knowledge. This can be achieved by identifying areas of interest, meeting the requirements and planning to develop.
This research paper will identify an area of emphasis in psychology and give a brief description of the field. It will also evaluate and discuss the state of Maryland’s licensure in relation to professional plans. It will also include a reflection of professional plans, changes and reasons for change and assess the role of the class.
This research paper will discuss professional development plan membership and benefits of membership and networking. It will specify the area if interest and the plans for its development. In addition, this research paper will recap positive psychology and evolutionary psychology models and discuss their applicability in addictive psychology as well as give ways that the models contribute to the understanding of human beings.
The emphasis area and a brief discussion
There are various areas of emphasis in psychology. Addiction psychology is one of them and it gives assistance to patients with addiction disorders. Addiction psychologist provides an addiction therapy and treatment. Addictions may be in different forms in different individuals.
Some may have drug addiction, alcohol addictions, food addictions, internet addictions, sex addictions and other behaviors that are addictive like gambling. In the treatment programs they use, imminent features include: support, counseling, interventions, and recommendation to support groups as well as rehabilitation centers.
Addiction psychologists give support to patients with behavioral disorders such as drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, eating problems like anorexia and bulimia as mentioned in the Association for Natural Psychology (2008, p. 1). The psychologist provides the individual with help that make them realize their addiction as a disorder.
They can achieve this by engaging the client into a group and conduct sessions with an aim of assisting them overcome addiction. The psychologists often involve the client’s immediate family members. Addiction psychologists are also responsible for establishing curriculums that discourage behaviors that lead to addiction.
An evaluation and discussion of the Maryland licensure requirements and its relation with professional goals
The state of Maryland has a Psychology Board that offers licenses to professional psychologist. Maryland Psychology Board is a body whose main function is to offer certificates to psychologist to practice lawfully. Among other procedures they engage the psychologist into two professional examinations prior to licensing.
The applicants pay a fee for registration to the Board. The board also performs other tasks such as authorizing psychology associates, replace licenses for the already licensed psychologist, evaluate the education system, establish and enact control mechanism in the profession, establish the range of practice, disseminating information to those already licensed and receive feedback concerning all aspects of the board (Maryland Psychology Board, 2011).
For a psychologist to be licensed as counseling psychologist, they must be graduates from a certified university that teaches psychology. Importantly, they must demonstrate that they have undergone supervised internship. The license is obtained from the board after the applicant meets all the requirements of the board.
Those who graduate with masters and doctorate qualify to become counselors while doctorate degree holders qualify to be supervisors. The application process is intensive and the applicant is required to be honest and provide extensive information. They are supposed to give details of their training and experiences in different facilities.
Moreover, they are supposed to give information on internship at different levels of training such as undergraduate and post graduate internship. What is more, they should disclose the names of their supervisors and the nature of supervised activities. The requirements are strict and in most cases, where supervision was distant a letter is required.
The number of hours spend on supervision is also given by the applicant. The supervisors also play a part by responding to questions that are in the application form concerning the type of activities among other questions. Moreover the applicant must provide names of three referees.
Maryland Psychology Board (2011) indicates that a two year experience for applicants who have completed their master’s degree and doctorate is compulsory. This two year experience must be acquired under close supervision of a registered professional psychologist. The experience is considered from the date the applicant completed the degree program.
The Licensing Board licenses, bio- psychologists, clinical psychologist, child clinical psychologist, school psychologist, counseling psychologist, social psychologist, family psychologist and substance abuse/ addiction psychologist among others. Bio- psychologists give attention to the psychological development of animal in relation to continued existence, progress in reproduction and adaptation to their environment (Maryland Psychology Board 2011).
In accordance with the Association for Natural psychology (2008, p. 1) clinical psychologist treats psychological disorders. Patients with emotional as well as mental illness due to life challenges can get assistance from a clinical psychologist. The child clinical psychologist helps children and the adolescent in a similar way as the clinical psychologist.
School psychologist assists students with psychological problems while incorporating the school teachers and the parents in their approach. Counseling psychologist give advice to people so that they can make informed decisions. Social psychologists approach human problem by examining the individual’s environment.
Family psychologist deal with psychological issues related to the emotional and mental problems within the family. Addiction (or Substance abuse) psychologist aids patients with addiction problems such as alcohol and drugs among others.
A reflection of the professional plan, changes in plan, reasons for change and the role of the class
In line with Ryan 2002, developing a professional plan is an important task in the career development to ensure that time and efforts at work are well utilized for a successful career (p.1). Time management is a key element in professional plan.
It involves ensuring that one maximizes on the time given to attain set goals. In order to achieve the best out of the time given in the career, change is important in order to conduct a regular assessment of self. While doing the self assessment it will be possible to depict changes in the professions that a psychologist must adjust to. Moreover, it will be possible to reinforce strengths and note areas of weakness so as to be able to make efforts to improve in the areas of weaknesses (Ryan 2002, p. 6).
Improving research skills besides paying attention to existing rules to research will be a step to developing an action plan. This action plan will encourage a psychologist to conduct research regularly and becoming competent. The most notable change in this plan is that a psychologist will participate actively in the professional seminars and symposiums within and outside the organization.
These meetings may have insights on the relevant areas of research. Consequently, they provide an opportunity for other avenues that may aid in the research process as pointed out by Ryan (2002, p. 6). The plan to engage in critical thinking is also significant and can be incorporated together with improving research skills so as to be more accurate and creative.
The approach can be changed so that more modernized ways of conducting research are embraced. This is because technology is becoming more popular and people are using it more often. The psychologist can use the website, blogs and social sites. Other changes in the professional plan include setting time aside to reflect on the progress of career.
Ryan (2002, p. 2) indicates that reflecting is a powerful tool that can enable a professionals to become self- aware. This is accomplished by reviewing journals and other publications. The psychologist can also keep a record of the working opportunities that they have accomplished in their profession.
Another change is to consider information from other professionals. They could be supervisors, fellow professional staff and mentors who are knowledgeable. The main goal is to maximize learning skills that are helpful. Furthermore, continue attending professional courses and pursue certification programs.
Considering information from other professionals will lead to competence in knowledge (Ryan 2002, p. 2). This class has a significance of enabling the learner to acquire knowledge not only in planning but also in development. Development leads to competency which is much needed in the psychology.
Ryan (2002, p. 1) emphasizes that experience is highly valued. Consequently, the skills learnt in critical thinking are vital. Moreover, the class increases understanding of psychology and remains increasingly informative.
Continued professional development
Discussion of two professional membership and the benefits of the membership
According to Lewis (2010, p. 1) there are a number of professional organizations that a professional psychologist can become a member. The American Psychological Association (APA) is one of the organizations with the largest membership. APA main objective is to progress in the practice of psychology based on scientific research.
The member form a meaningful network of professional who discuss relevant research topics that are up to date. APA is also an accrediting body to the doctorate level of study. They establish, enact and maintain certain standards of the profession.
Moreover, they review the curriculum to ensure that there is uniformity in the standards across the subfields of psychology. The benefit obtained from membership is that the network of professionals makes it possible for psychologists to share ideas and to insight each other on relevant areas of research.
Furthermore, being a member makes a practicing psychologist to have access to the requirements and be involved in career building opportunities like conferences and workshops. Whenever there are changes in the standards, members get first hand information.
Another professional organization a professional psychologist can consider acquiring membership is the Association for Psychological Sciences (APS). APS is an organization whose main task is to promote research based on scientific method and encourage partnership in psychology.
Being a member of this association enables psychologists interested in research to network. Psychologist with similar interest in research can exchange ideas and make collaborations that lead to great success than in a situation where researchers conduct research as individuals. Members also benefit from regular conferences, research findings conducted by the association and publications.
Moreover, APS advocates for social activities that benefit the society and give experience to its members. Membership is flexible and one can choose to renew their membership annually or become a member for a lifetime. Additionally, students of psychology can become members regardless of their level of study. The faculty as well as professionals can mentor young professionals.
Discussion on a networking filed and the steps to be taken
As a professional addiction psychologist, networking in a local clinic could be of benefit to psychological career development. The local clinic will offer an opportunity to interact with experienced psychologist. It will also be an opportunity to serve the community by offering assistance to patients in need of help.
The benefits of networking and how it can help in career development
American Psychological Association (2006, p. 5) mentions that networking brings benefits to the psychologist. Networking enables one to have mentors. Mentors are significant as they offer advice in career in the coveted profession. One can get hints on the research topics, and give information on first salary and task.
When an individual is ready to set up own firm, mentors come in handy by giving relevant information on the requirements. Mentors of same identity could share experiences on matters concerning gender, race and age among others. Corresponding to American Psychological Association (2006, p. 6) psychologist who network have a greater chance of getting information pertaining to employment.
In addition, networking is effective in experiences and giving opportunities that lead to partnership in research. Inevitably, networking is the most important channel for new graduates to be able to learn fast and develop in career. This is because networking offers some form of support to the young professionals.
Networking exposes a professional psychologist to diversity. One gets to interact with different psychologists who may have similar or different background. Sharing experiences with other psychologists may prove to be of great benefit in exposing one to different diverse views.
The area of interest in addiction psychology and the plans for development
Addiction psychology is an area that mainly deals with behavioral disorder. It also requires the incorporation of the patients close family and implementation of a program to help the patient recover from addiction as argued by the Association for Natural Psychology (2008, p. 1).
Since human beings behavior keeps changing due to technology it is necessary to engage in research so as to learn more about internet addiction. Duran (2003, p. 1) discusses the internet disorder which has come about from the use of internet. Duran (2003) also notes that concerns arise from the fact that internet can be accessed from anywhere and the use is less confined may have consequences.
Information on the internet disorder can be obtained by engaging in scientific research. Through networking one can get more information and insights that may lead to developments. Moreover, reviewing existing information and innovating ways of obtaining accurate information will be a development plan. Partnering with researchers with similar interest will be of great value. Partnership can be achieved through networking.
Psychological perspectives
Positive psychology
Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000, p. 4) note that positive psychology is a model that has adopted a positive approach in dealing with human functions to be able to treat psychological problems in individuals, families and society. Positive psychology complements the traditional psychology in treatment.
It achieves this by giving a hand to individuals so that they can have productive lives. Likewise, they pay attention to the right actions rather than the wrong actions. They emphasize happiness in their model and use it as the method study.
Evolutionary psychology
Evolutionary psychology studies the evolution of adaptive characteristics of human being from psychological adjustments as revealed by Haselto and Ketelaar (2005, p. 6). Evolutionary psychologist investigates human beings languages, understanding of the world and the memory.
They believe that human beings behavior is as a result adaptation to challenges that have happened in the evolution. Haselto and Ketelaar (2005, p. 4) further argue that human beings have the potential of making friendships and associations based on the perceptions.
Discussing how positive psychology and evolutionary psychology apply in addiction psychology effectively
Positive psychology can be applied in addiction psychology by offering counseling services that will assist patients with all forms of addiction to overcome addiction disorder. Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000, p. 7) believes that putting emphasize on the positive actions and the right activities will lead to healthy living and reduce psychological problems.
Duran (2003, p. 1) in his article believes that internet addiction can be overcome if the patient can be made to understand that it is a disorder and be advised on the right activities that would lead to a productive life with happiness. Addiction psychology could incorporate evolutionary psychology in the treatment of psychological disorders.
The patients environment makes them develop perceptions based on the events that happen which lead to adaptive behaviors of the patient as Haselto and Ketelaar (2005, p. 10) argues. This is the case in the patients with addiction, for instance internet addiction; patients change their behavior to suit their need to use the internet.
Moreover, they choose to have relationships with those with similar interest (Duran 2003, p. 1). Addiction psychology enables the patient to realize the addictive behavior and to be able to overcome the disorder. The psychologist can make use of the peers, family members and the community to help the patient recover.
Ways positive psychology and evolutionary psychology contribute to the understanding of human behavior
Positive psychology is a model that portrays individuals as beings who are interested in pursuing happiness. Furthermore, human beings can choose to engage in positive actions that will enable them be happy and also uphold such virtues as kindness, love and gratitude among others Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000, p. 4).
In reference to Haselto and Ketelaar (2005, p. 10) evolutionary psychology is a model that reveals the behavior of human beings as adaptive in nature. Woodman (1982, p. 3) mentions that human beings change their character over time and are also greatly influenced by other human beings in their environment.
Conclusion
Addiction psychology is a profession that will involve planning for development and making necessary changes to progress in the career. Besides planning, it is important to observe requirements for licensure so as to be able to practice within Maryland State. Becoming a member of the APA and APS will be strategy to benefit from the membership and the networking in order to be able to establish a career development.
Psychological models such as positive psychology and evolutionary psychology can be incorporated into addictive psychology to assist patients with addiction disorders. Additionally, the models contribute to the understanding of the human nature.
Reference List
American Psychological Association. (2006). Committee on Early Career Psychologist. Web.
Association for Natural psychology. (2008). Understanding Psychologist. Web.
Duran, M. G. (2003). Internet Addiction Disorder. AllPsych Journal. Web.
Haselto, M. G. and Ketelaar, T., (2005). The Evolutionary Psychology of Emotions and Behavior. Web.
Lewis, J. (2010). Professional Psychology Association. Web.
Maryland Psychology Board. (2011). Psychology License. Web.
McMurran, M. (2006). The Psychology of Addiction: Contemporary Psychology Series. New York USA: Psychology Press ltd.
Ryan, R., (2002). Creating a Professional Development Plan. Web.
Seligman, M. E. P., and Csikszentmihalyi, M., (2000). Positive psychology American psychologist 1-14. Web.
Woodman, M. (1982). Addiction to perfection The Still Unravished Bride: A psychological Study. Canada USA: University of Toronto Press.