Career prospects: psychological therapies

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Career prospects: psychological therapies

Career news at a glance:

The job prospects for psychological therapists look bright at present, as across the board the NHS, government departments and private companies are investigating therapy-based solutions as alternatives to drug-based treatments. In addition, the government is funding a project to improve access to psychological therapies in the mental health sector.

Career health advice:

• The various titles of practitioner psychologist are now statutorily regulated by the Health Professions Council. Psychologists will need to be registered with the HPC in order to work under any of the designated titles.
• Counsellors and psychotherapists will also be regulated by the HPC from 2012.
• A degree is not always sufficient for many forms of therapy. Some therapies require a practical component of supervised case work and this is usually undertaken at postgraduate level.
• Employers often prefer to appoint a chartered psychologist because the title is the public’s guarantee that the person is properly trained, qualified and answerable to an independent professional body.
• In addition to consulting NHS Jobs, don’t forget the professional body journals listing job advertisements.
• Consider assistant jobs or voluntary work. Most jobs for psychological therapists, due to the independent nature of the work, require experience. Working as an assistant psychotherapist or assistant psychologist whilst training will provide invaluable experience.
• Be open-minded when looking for posts, as many job titles will not necessarily mention the terms psychotherapy or psychology. Other titles include mental health practitioner or primary mental health worker.
• Certain skills are more in demand than others. There are currently national shortages of clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists, and there is increasing demand for counselling psychologists. The need to lower levels of obesity also means more opportunities for health psychologists and exercise psychologists.
• Psychotherapists often work in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or ‘talking therapies’. The Government has promised more money and access to talking therapies for mental health patients and GPs are being urged to offer CBT to patients with low-level mental health problems.

Career health warnings:

• As more NHS services are shifted into the community it is likely that many more of the psychological therapies will move to primary care or community settings.
• Look for job opportunities throughout England as you are more likely to be successful in securing a job if you can be flexible about where you live and work.
  

Working in the NHS:

Psychotherapists often work in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or ‘talking therapies’. The government has promised more money and access to talking therapies for mental health patients and GPs are being urged to offer CBT to patients with low-level mental health problems. With larger health centres opening up in primary care settings, it is possible that GPs will want to employ more psychotherapists to treat mental health patients and those chronic-disease patients at high risk of depression.

Child psychotherapists work in specialist child and adolescent mental health teams. Increasingly, they also work in jointly-funded positions within schools, social services and hospitals.

Health psychologists and exercise psychologists are increasingly used in primary care, as GPs are given more say over health budgets and changing people’s behaviours.


Working in the private sector:

Psychological therapists often work in private practice and will treat self-referred patients as well as those referred from private clinics, hospitals and doctors.

Occupational psychologists often work for large companies with human resources or personnel departments, or as overseers of change management.

There is a small, but growing, number of sports psychologists who work either as consultants and/or are employed by elite athletic and sports teams.

Psychology graduates are prized by market research firms, personnel management firms and employment agencies. There are also opportunities for psychology lecturers in nursing and medical schools.

As the NHS opens up to other providers many private clinics and hospitals are starting to expand and employ greater numbers of psychologists and psychotherapists.


Working in the independent/charitable sector:

Many charities and voluntary organisations employ therapists, particularly those dealing with children and young people, inter-cultural relations and ethnic minorities, drug and alcohol dependencies and sexual health agencies. Job opportunities for graduates in these organisations may grow in the future as some charities prepare to take on NHS services.

The current opening up of NHS services also opens the way to groups of therapists working in not-for-profit companies, to contract their services to the NHS or GPs.


Working abroad:

Each country has different regulation and education requirements for counsellors and psychotherapists. Graduates looking to work overseas need to research these and the rules each country operates in admitting overseas workers.


Future forecast:

In general the job prospects for psychological therapy graduates look very good. The overall demand for therapists is increasing due to the government’s focus on improving mental health, public health and obesity.

In psychotherapy there is likely to be a big demand for less intensive therapies, such as CBT, for minor mental health problems.

In child psychotherapy there are many more new jobs being created than in the past, particularly jointly-funded posts between the NHS, social services and education departments.

This is the time

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatualli wa barakatu!

Sara Bhatti here, I hope you have been well Inshallah. I wanted to share what I have been up to most recently.

I start by asking you….

Are you ready to TAKE YOURSELF ON!?

"This is the time to become who

YOU have been destined to be"

Do you come home thinking “What did I do today?” Do you want to be able to enjoy your life and be in control? Perhaps you hoped things were different?

· ...wish people would treat you better?
· ...not quite sure where your life is leading?
· ...you want to achieve more?
· ...your parents don't listen to you?
· ...pleasing other people and their dreams and not fulfilling your own?
· …your children seem to have taken over your life?
· ...are you feeling unappreciated?

I have been there

I have wanted better. I have studied Psychology, Counselling, NLP, read self development books and even pop psychology books. I have been on Parent Coaching courses, experienced working with troubled families, worked with youth, Islamic Societies, experienced close bereavement, and seen things go wrong and how to succeed while being a Mediator in the Muslim community.

Recently trained by Muhammad Alshareef in Lifecoaching, I have gained a new perspective, putting together elements of NLP, mixing it up with SMART goals within the context of Islam made it complete, living with Ehsan, living with excellence.
I can see for sure There is a way to get back control.

Is this for Me?

· ...starting new things, a new job, the gym, a new degree but they are just not for you?
· ...want to get married, but just not the right time/person?
· ...expert in procrastination on things you thought you wanted to do?
· ...want to change something but don't know what?
· ...you want to fulfil your dreams?
· ...just not sure where you're headed?

Why not try Lifecoaching? E-mail me and we can get started Inshallah! saraybhatti@yahoo.co.uk

How it Works

To be honest I was a bit skeptical about the whole lifecoach thing, until my curiosity got the better of me. The benefits are many, there is something for everyone!

Things to expect:
· ...holding yourself accountable to do things you're committed to do
· ...consistently grow and face new challenges
· ...clarify what you want
· ...understand your passion to drive you forward
· ...a wake up call to fulfill your dreams
· ...and more...!

Kick your excuses where the sun doesn’t shine!

Testimonials

This is what my clients have said:

“…You were remarkably professional… I definitely appreciated that (and your flexibility!). Other than that I really liked your ability to not give me answers but make me think of them, difficult as they were to vocalise. I realise my inability to answer certain things stems from a reluctance to search for the answers within myself, and I guess the session (and advice) has provided the start point from which I realise I need to search for certain answers.” – Zahra

“My Life Coach projected a contagious enthusiasm that dispelled the lethargy and got me motivated again about the steps I needed to take. Apparently she's been told she's bossy, but personally I need discipline and someone to egg me on, especially since I can lose interest easily. Thank you very much.” – EA

Your Future

You have two choices here, stop reading and continue your life as you have been or start the beginning of a new chapter and reveal the path you have been destined to walk. E-mail now!

Remember....

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ

Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. (13:11)

Small steps in the beginning to make change for yourself, is the start of your journey with Allah's aide.Helping you to fulfill challenges you face in your life. Book your free 30 min session. What are you waiting for?

Visit www.discoverulife.com for more information.


Sara Bhatti
DiscoverU Lifecoach

saraybhatti@yahoo.co.uk

07888697639

E-mail me. I am waiting to take this exciting journey with you!

Free 30 min session are offered for a limited time, please contact me before 19th June 2009 to book your free session

"This is the time to become who
YOU have been destined to be"

Interview Advice

Interview Advice

Getting Started
Here is some information that may help you to successfully overcome the hurdles of attending an interview. Some of them you may find obvious, but sometimes we can forget the most obvious things!

This guide is broken down into four sections:

Before the interview
On the day of the interview
The interview itself (including practice interview quiz)
Potential questions for you to ask

Before the Interview
Preparation for an interview is an absolutely key process and will often be the difference between success and failure for applicants. Good preparation not only gives you an idea of what to expect but it will give you the all important confidence, which can carry you through.

So what specific preparation should you carry out?

Company Research:

Interviewers will expect you to have a good grasp of what the company does, how big it is, how it is divided up and who it’s main competitors are. With these facts at your command you will be able to hold a meaningful conversation about the company and put other company information into context.

Role Research:

You need to make sure you have fully understood the job description and know how it fits in to the overall company structure. If you have any queries about it then try to raise them before the interview or be prepared to bring them up as you go along.

Ask yourself what the key skills are that the job requires and think of examples of occasions when you have demonstrated those skills.

Interview Research:

Make sure you find out what format the interview will take. Often they can be combinations of standard interviews and role-specific tests (such as role plays or psychometric questionnaires). The fewer surprises on the day, the better.

Personal Appraisal:

You can never predict every question that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an inventory of important points.

Make a list of the points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were to apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related knowledge (perhaps from your academic program).

Each question will be an opportunity to provide some of this information to the interviewer.

On the day of the Interview
Take special care to dress appropriately - most of the time smart business dress will be appropriate. In some rare occasions, smart casual may be appropriate but ensure you err on the side of smartness.

Make sure you are punctual – try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you are going to be late for any reason then make sure you inform the interviewer as early as possible.

The Interview itself
Some important points to remember:

Don't assume anything. You will be evaluated on your answers, not your CV. Therefore, ensure you incorporate the relevant information from your CV in your answers.
Pause a couple of seconds before you respond to each question, even if you know exactly what you want to say. Take this time to quickly plan your answer, this helps to avoid misunderstandings and produces much more concise answers.
If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. This is expected and is preferable to providing an unsuitable answer.

If you need time to collect your thoughts - take it. When people are nervous they tend either to "draw a blank" or to babble. It is better to think for a few moments and make sure that your answer is doing you justice and that there is a point to what you are saying.
Always expand. Never answer a question with a "yes" or "no."

The interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to 'blow your own trumpet'. As long as you can back up what you are saying with examples which demonstrate that what you are saying is true, you are not bragging. Third party observations can also be mentioned. For example, "My last employer told me that I was promoted because of how I handled conflicts with clients."

Be very positive. Don't complain about anything - from your former employer to the weather - and don't apologise for experience that you don't have. Just sell what you do have and let the employer decide if you have what he/she is looking for. Also, avoid negative words. For example, you would not say "I have a little experience...," you would say "I have experience..."
Don't be afraid to repeat important points. In fact, it is a good idea to do this.

In terms of your manner and body language, try to ensure the following - be confident, positive and look directly at the interviewer when you talk and listen, speak clearly, be enthusiastic and express a keen interest in the position, keep to the point and be concise and always be honest.
Interviews generally follow a set pattern. The interviewer will:-

Tell you about the company and the job.
Ask you questions to assess your abilities, personality and motivation.
Ask if you have any questions.
Inform you of the next stage of the process and when a final decision will be made.
The most important thing to remember is that the interview is a two way process. You are there to find out information about them as much as they are there to find out about you. This is your chance to find out information that isn’t in the job description and this can help you make an informed decision about whether you definitely want the job.

To help you succeed at interview we have prepared a random interview question generator, which displays questions selected from a list of over a hundred. You can use this to try to think about how you might answer the questions in an interview situation.


Potential questions for you to ask
Can you tell me more about the company?
Can you describe my area of responsibility?
Is this post a new or existing one?
What are the promotion prospects?
Is there a clearly defined career path?
Do you run any training schemes?
What type of clients do you deal with?
Will you be holding second interviews?

Vacancy – Volunteer Director At The Muslim Mediation Service

Vacancy – Volunteer Director At The Muslim Mediation Service



Do you have the expertise to lead and wish to give back to the community? Or do you want to develop your management skills and build upon your CV? Becoming the first Director of the Muslim Mediation Service may be the opportunity you were looking for! For our East London office, we are looking to recruit a Director in a voluntary capacity who can give a minimum of four hours a week during the day to oversee the general management of our staff and service.



The Board of Trustees are offering you an exciting and unique opportunity to take command of this national charity at a pivotal moment in its growth. Muslim Mediation Service is embarking upon a period of rapid development in which it will considerably broaden in the direct support services it offers to Muslims across the UK.



For a full job description and service information, or further information please contact Sana Saleem:



E-mail: sana@muslimmediation.org.uk

Telephone: 020 8432 2805

Post: Muslim Mediaton Service, 2a Streatfield Avenue, East Ham, London E6 2LA



To apply, please submit a CV, and supporting statement/cover letter stating why you are applying and why you are the most suitable person for the post, addressed to Sana Saleem at the above postal or email address.



Closing Date: Monday 21st July 2008

Graduate exhibition

Assalamu alaykum peps

This looks interesting... maybe of use what ever your careers prospects are.

About the exhibition
Concerned about finding a job after graduation…?
Weighed down by student debt…?
Undecided about what career you want to pursue…?

…Visit the National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition.

7 & 8 March 2008
Hall 1, Barbican, London

Free CV Advice
Mock Assessment Centre
Company Presentations
Careers Presentations


This is your opportunity to find the answers to all your career-related questions all under one roof.

Find out who's recruiting
Research career opportunities
Listen to company presentations
Perfect your CV
Talk to those recruiting
Apply for jobs
Attend interviews
Prepare for assessment centres
GET A JOB!
Remember, you're always up against tough competition - read the Top 10 Tips to ensure you get a good return on your investment of time.

Diversity
The National Graduate Recruitment Exhibition actively supports and encourages the recruitment of students and graduates from all backgrounds regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age and hosts events offering opportunities with employers who share these values. For more information please contact diversity.ngr@vmgl.com

Become a mentor

Volunteer Mentors Needed For Young Muslims In Redbridge

The following is a request for all those who feel they would like to give something back! Alot of the problems that we face in this ummah and our communities can stem from our youth. Many do not have the right role model who that can look up to. This is you chnace to change that!

The Redbridge Social Inclusion Mentoring Project works with young Muslims from
Redbridge aged 8-17 years and offers them access to a trained mentor who is
recruited from the local community. The aim of the mentoring relationship is to
improve the young person's social skills, reduce their social exclusion, and
empower them to take advantage of opportunities that are available to them.

Successfully recruited and trained mentors will be matched with a young
person. You should be available to meet with your mentee for at least an hour
once a week at an agreed time and place that is convenient for you both. The
mentoring relationship is voluntary for the young person and it will last for up
to 12 months. You will
receive ongoing support and supervision during this
period.

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a
mentor, please request an application pack by emailing:
sana.saleem@redbridge.gov.uk or
RedbridgeMentoringProject@redbridge.gov.uk
The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is Friday 18th January.

How to write a cover letter

WHAT SHOULD YOUR COVER LETTER DO FOR YOU?

It should answer the question - Why should I hire you? It should grab the employers attention and point out why you, above all other applicants, should be contacted for a personal interview.

YOUR ADDRESS (Do not put your name here)

TODAY'S DATE
Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER'S NAME (If you don't have one, get one!)

TITLE

COMPANY'S NAME

ADDRESS
DEAR Mr./Ms. EMPLOYER:

FIRST PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm writing to you" paragraph which immediately tells the employer the position you want to be considered for. This is short - usually 2-3 sentences. Points to cover:

*Why you are writing and which position you are applying for.
*How you heard about the position is irrelevant unless it is a mutual contact or recruiting program. Do not write, "I learned of this opportunity through the Career Services Office."
*Show from your research why you are interested in this position or organization. The goal is to make a connection - do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it out; sweeping statements will not work.

SECOND PARAGRAPH: This is the "why I'm qualified" paragraph. Highlight some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as they relate to the position for which you are applying.

Choose 2 - 3 points you want to make about Specific experiences/accomplishments or about general qualities you have exhibited, and provide Specific examples to support those points.

This paragraph will change according to the job/employer for which you are applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks too lengthy or if your points work best in separate paragraphs. Points to ponder:

The first sentence should be a hard-hitting opener. It is a quick introduction, which is accomplishment-oriented and directed at the skills and qualifications needed for the job/industry.

The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to back up what you've just claimed. Cite specific jobs/internships/activities/projects and accomplishments associated with those experiences. Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but NEVER reiterate passages from your resume word for word. Discuss why what you did is to the employer- relate the facts to the job. Strong examples are important!

The final sentence is a summary of what you've discussed above. It's a good idea to mention the position title and company name to bring the reader back to the specific job in question.

FINAL PARAGRAPH: This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name

Enclosure(s)


Tips to Make Your Letter Professional

*Research the company and the specifics about the position so you can tailor your letter to the needs of the organization.

*Avoid using too many sentences that start with "I" or writing in the passive voice (ex. "This experience enabled me to..." or "Through my internship, I was responsible for..."); instead, make yourself the subject of each sentence and use active descriptions (ex., "In this internship, I demonstrated sound judgment and problem-solving skills on a daily basis.").

*Do not use contractions (I'd, didn't, it's).

*Spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes are out of the question! Cover letters are a reflection of your writing skills, so make each cover letter an example of your best work.
Be sure to sign your letters. (Black ink is suggested)

*Keep your letter short and simple. This is not the time to tell your whole life's story.
Have a Career Specialist review your cover letters during drop-in hours: Monday-Friday 1:30 – 4:30 and Wednesday 8:30am – 11:30am OR you can make an appointment anytime.

*Use good quality paper that matches your resume paper and envelopes.

More info

Muslim Mediation

assalamu alaykum

I always say that we need to get more involved within our communities and do things that are relevant to the skills we have.

So any aspiring psychologists out there... this is for you (and me!)

I will be having my "Informal Interview" next week for this.. make dua!

DO YOU WANT TO BECOME A FAMILY MEDIATOR? (E London)

The Muslim Mediation Service has been serving the community for the past three years and is based in East Ham. We support couples, parents, children and relatives who are in dispute, to communicate their concerns to one another in an effective way in order to help resolve their conflicts.

We are currently recruiting people to join our team of experienced and trained Volunteer Mediators. Do you think you have the qualities to bring about understanding between people? Could you remain impartial regardless of which party you felt was to blame for the dispute? Can you spare on average 2 hours twice a week during weekdays or evenings?

It is necessary for all volunteers to have completed a training programme in Conflict Management in order to become Mediators. The 8-day training will take place on the following dates in Summer 2007 from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm each day:

Tuesday 29th May, Saturday 2nd June, Tuesday 05th June, Saturday 9th June, Tuesday 12th June, Tuesday 19th June, Saturday 23rd June, Tuesday 26th June.

We especially need people who can speak a variety of languages, especially Bengali and Punjabi, and either live in Newham or the surrounding boroughs. We also need revert brothers and sisters as we are getting cases from people who have converted to Islam and are now struggling with their faith due to the disputes they may be experiencing with family and friends.

If you are available during the day on all of these dates and would like more information, please contact Halima by emailing Halima@conflictandchange.co. uk or call Zak on 020 8552 2050 to request a pack.

Absolutly skillfull!

Assalamu alaykum

While searching for jobs, I came across this. Now I am using it to spice up my application forms...

Having a psychology degree is much more then a certificate and a few letters after your name. It can change your life if you really apply yourself to learning and reeling in all the abilities and skills you acquire. So why not flaunt them!

Want to sell yourself? Try adding these!

What skills have I got ?

A common characteristic of students is their difficulty in articulating what skills they have developed through studying psychology. It is easy to assume that all graduates possess the same skills. Few disciplines though, can offer such a comprehensive list. For example, those statistics you have sweated blood over but managed to master, prove you can handle and interpret statistical data which is a useful skill in many careers.

Listed below are some of the skills a typical psychology graduate will have acquired during their degree course.

Literacy

The ability to write both succinct reports and more lengthy analyses. Psychology graduates are accustomed to writing essays which allow them to explore issues in detail, but they also become familiar with the techniques of concise writing within a pre-set format as they write up their practical reports. The ability to produce a concise report is often cited by managers as a skill they would like their management trainees to have.

Numeracy

The ability to handle and interpret statistical information. Psychology graduates are good at manipulating and summarising data, and at drawing implications from data summaries and probability statements.

Computer literacy

The ability to use a computer package, whether for word processing, statistics, or data management, and the ability to learn new ones.

Interpersonal awareness

Knowledge of the mechanisms of social communication and the potential sources of personal conflict. This makes a difference in understanding and dealing with interpersonal problems when they arise in the workplace.

Environmental awareness

Knowing how environments and organisations can directly influence people's understanding and behaviour.

Problem-solving skills

The ability to identify different strategies and approaches to solving problems. This may be on a macro-level, in applying totally different perspectives or levels of analysis to the problem, or at a more basic level, in terms of choosing appropriate methods to deal with it. Psychology graduates are brilliant at solving problems as they are trained in relevant methods from the moment they step into a laboratory.

Information-gathering skills

In seeking information on a particular topic or general area, knowing where to look, what to use and how to use it.

Critical evaluation

The ability to appraise information and situations realistically, and to anticipate problems or difficulties.

Research skills

Knowing how to go about gathering systematic information. Psychology students are trained in a number of methods Рat the least, observational, experimental and case-study techniques.

Measurement skills

Knowing how to design questionnaires and develop other measurement tools.

Perspectives

The ability to look at issues from several different points of view.

Higher-order analysis

The ability to extract general principles from immediate or concrete situations. Psychology graduates tend to be better than most people at spotting recurrent patterns or similarities between situations, and at looking at issues in terms of their underlying principles rather than becoming bogged down with the details of the immediate situation.

Pragmatism

The abilty to make the best of a non-ideal situation. Psychology students know that the perfect experiment is going to be elusive and they will have to get on with doing it as well as possible. As graduates, this tends to give them a strongly practical element.