Due to the ever-evolving nature of psychology, accepted methods and procedures frequently evolve. Professionals and doctors in mental health might benefit significantly from additional online training to provide their patients with the most cutting-edge care available. Learn why professionals in the mental health field benefit from attending Continuing Education for Psychologists.
What Is Continuing Education? Reasons Why This Is Crucial For Psychologists
Psychologists can practice after completing their graduate degree, internship, EPPP, and other state-specific requirements, such as the California Psychology Licensing Examination (CPLEE). They must meet specific needs, including continuing education (CE) hours, to keep their license in good standing once they’ve acquired it.
As a form of education, Continuing Education for Psychologists never ends. It’s designed to help professionals keep their skills sharp and knowledge of the field up-to-date upon completing their graduate degrees in psychology.
Psychologists are free to pursue any area of continuing education (CE) that they’re interested in, so long as it meets the minimum standards set by their state. Therapists working with couples may benefit from taking a class on effective dispute resolution methods.
At the same time, neuropsychologists may choose to take a class explicitly studying thought processes. Although therapists must fulfil their state’s continuing education obligations by taking any relevant courses, most professionals choose to specialize in their continuing education. A trauma specialist, for instance, would take classes covering the most recent findings in the study of traumatic events like rape and war. In contrast, a forensic psychologist might take courses on assessing competency before trial.
Numerous academic and psychological groups offer continuing education opportunities for psychologists. For example, a non-profit organization for fostering children may provide continuing education training on how to work with children in need of foster care.
Need For Continuing Education
Mental health practitioners in every state must complete hours of Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals every year. While the specifics vary by state, many do involve the following:
A specified number of continuing education (CE) credits within a specific time frame A specified number of CE credit hours with a specified concentration within the professional’s field.
Many boards call for CEUs to be spread out throughout various subjects. Counsellors, social workers, and MFTs in the state of Georgia, for instance, must update their certifications every other year. Georgia requires therapists to have 35 hours of continuing education before they may apply to renew their licensure. There must be a minimum of 15 core hours and a minimum of 5 ethical hours. It’s important to note that similar regulations exist in other states.
If mental health practitioner does not complete their required continuing education hours, they may have their license suspended or face additional disciplinary action.
Instructions For Opting Into A Courses Of Continuing Study
When deciding on continuing education for mental health professionals, you should weigh several aspects. Considerations for people working in mental health
- It would help if you verified that your state’s licensing board recognizes the continuing education course or experience and that the credits you earn will be accepted toward your certification.
- How many hours of psychology CEUs are required? Some classes only last an hour, so they might be used to fill in the blanks. However, other courses are more intensive and last three hours or more.
- Some working professionals benefit significantly from classroom discussions, while others may find home-study courses more convenient given their hectic schedules.
- Content some states mandate a specific number of elective hours in various disciplines. Make sure the course you choose will count toward the necessary concentration. It could also be beneficial to think about how you would like to advance in your chosen field of work and then enrol in courses that would assist you in achieving that objective.
- Some Psychology CEUs are self-directed or independent, meaning they don’t require a presenter or teacher. An expert professor directs others, often a forerunner in their field.
- While the availability of specific opportunities varies, research and community service are two activities that could count toward continuing education requirements.
The Advantages Of Continuing Your Education
Continuing education courses’ benefits extend far beyond acquiring new information:
- The chance to connect with others in one’s career. As a result, therapists and other professionals have access to various information they might not have had access to before, and they can ask their peers for advice when needed.
- Possibilities to develop one’s basic professional ethics and values; increased chances to serve one’s community. Therapists can learn how to better do with patients from all walks of life by taking advantage of the multitude of CE offerings that focus on this topic.
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