Professional psychology draws upon areas of the discipline of psychology, including human development, perception, attention, memory, language, decision making, learning, motivation, emotion, personality, behaviour, social relations and communication. Professional psychology engages the human condition directly and assumes a biopsychosocial model, where the biological, social and psychological characteristics of an individual are understood to be dynamically interrelated. Professional psychology focuses on identifying and addressing needs of clients. Professional psychology practice is evidence-based, drawing on theoretical concepts and heuristics, relevant research findings, collective professional experience and individual practitioner experience in order to assist clients to improve their function and experience.
The aim of the ACAP Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology (GradDipProfPsych) program is to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to become professional psychologists who are able to practice in a range of settings with diverse client populations.
The GradDipProfPsych is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. With a further 12 months of supervised practice approved by the Psychology Board of Australia graduates are eligible for general registration as psychologists.
The program is based on the scientist-practitioner model that integrates knowledge of the discipline of psychology, psychological research, professional training, and professional practice. It is designed to develop skills in observation and in formulating testable hypotheses that can be empirically examined, and in selecting and evaluating interventions and assessments that are based on defensible theoretical positions and informed by evidence of effectiveness. The hypothetico-deductive approach is applied equally to critically evaluating evidence from the literature and to working with clients.
Professional psychologists are held to high standards of ethical practice requiring:
(a) a knowledge of evidence-based interventions and assessment tools;
(b) awareness of relevant legislation;
(c) adherence to professional standards and codes of conduct;
(d) ability to objectively evaluate and reflect on professional work.
The ACAP GradDipProfPsych profiles these essential elements of professional practice throughout the program, aiming to develop life-long professional practice of personal and shared reflection through utilising supervision and peer consultation.
Professional psychology draws on a dynamic research literature, and as well as equipping graduates with skills in using well-established assessment tools and approaches, the program aims to develop skills for critically evaluating new approaches and methodologies to support life-long professional development.
Psychologists practice in work environments where changes in health and social policy impact on professional practice. With this in mind, the program seeks to equip graduates with skills for understanding and responding to the broad policy and legislative frameworks that impact on their professional practice.
Professional psychology is an intrinsically collaborative and interactive field, and the program seeks to develop skills for practicing within a multidisciplinary model of service provision.