The planned changes to psychology training have proven very unpopular, to say the least.
Psychologists across Australia have embraced a new epithet, after AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner described widespread opposition to a shake-up of psychologist training as “pockets of acute noise” at senate estimates last week.
“Effectively, what he’s saying is it’s just a few people, and also it’s going to go away very quickly, right? Acute means short, sharp,” clinical psychologist and clinic director Leanne Clarke told The Medical Republic.
“No, Justin. No.
“He’s completely mobilised the profession.”
Ms Clarke said she was in the midst of producing “pocket of acute noise” t-shirts, tote bags, and dog bandanas.
“He has given us a war cry,” she said.
“That is what he has done. It’s so wonderful, because it was so insulting, and in our clinical work we’re so often supporting clients who have been subjected to bullying, gaslighting, and coercive behaviours … we’re very used to digging in and backing those clients.”
The Sydney-based psychologist has become one of the lead voices in the charge against planned training changes, despite not holding a formal position with any peak psychology body.
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Initiated by the Psychology Board of Australia earlier this year, the proposed reforms would shave one year off the current training requirements for AHPRA-registered psychologists.
This would take the base degree from an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 9, or masters-level qualification, to an AQF level 8, or an honours-level qualification.
“That is deeply shocking because it’s so misaligned with international standards,” Ms Clarke said.
One of the other arguments against changing the requirement for an AQF level 9 qualification was that workforce shortages were being felt more keenly in specialised areas.
“This workforce … would essentially just end up going, I guess, into the private sector, because they would graduate with immediate access to Medicare rebates, which is tricky because a Medicare rebate is a signal to the public that this person is trained to a level that they can deliver this service fully to you,” Ms Clarke said.
“But yeah, other than [private practice], or telehealth call centres, or mental health lines, I’m not sure what the plan was as to where this workforce would land.”
She was inspired to convene a meeting of psychology peaks, universities, government representatives, and politicians at Parliament House last month.
Following the meeting, Ms Clarke said she heard from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing that any decisions about changes to psychology training would be delayed until the new year.
“This model trains generic mental health professionals,” she said.
“That’s all this model sees psychology as. There is no vision. It is so non-aspirational that it’s embarrassing.”
