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ARTICLES
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
A large contingent of South African psychologists will attend the 25th International Congress of Applied Psychology in Singapore in July. With the poor exchange rate, many have taken advantage of the special discounted packages arranged through the PsySSA offices. Amongst the invited symposia are: "Psychology in Africa: The Role of Women" (Dr Ann Watts, Dr Pam Naidoo, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Ms Shoki Motlatle, Ms Kwadzi Nyanungo of Zimbabwe & Ms Yuwanna Mivanyi of Nigeria), 'Violence Against Pre-pubescent Children in South Africa (Prof Lionel Nicholas, Dr Saths Cooper & Dr Watts), and 'From Apartheid to Democracy: South Africa at the Crossroads' (Ms Motlatle, Prof Nicholas & Dr Cooper). The General Assembly of the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) will beheld during the Congress as will the International Test Commission meeting. Prof Nicholas, Ms Motlatle, Dr Kopano Ratele and Dr Watts will represent South Africa at the IUPsyS Assembly.
CPD ETHICS/FORENSICS WORKSHOPS
PsySSA is organizing a series of CPD accredited workshops on ethics/forensics in centres throughout the country. The dates are 20 July in Durban, 27 July in Johannesburg, 2 August in Cape Town and 3 August in Pretoria. Run by leading psychology and law experts, the workshops, which will earn 6 CPD points in ethics, will focus on major ethical dilemmas and issues confronting practitioners involved in forensic psychological evaluations and testimony. Participants will enjoy the benefit of knowing what to expect from lawyers and judges as well as those involved in making disciplinary findings at the Professional Board for Psychology, while earning more than the required annual CPD points in professional ethics. For more information, kindly contact the PsySSA offices or e-mail activities@PsySSA.com
NATIONAL CHILD RAPE STUDY
The joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committees Hearing into the incidence of child rape heard testimony in March from Dr Saths Cooper (who is heading a team of behavioural scientists who are considering this phenomena) and Dr Ann Watts (Co-investigator). Preliminary findings from a pilot study were reported (this will be available on the PsySSA website). In-depth interviews will be conducted from next month with victims, caregivers and perpetrators in conjunction with an Inter-Ministerial Task Team lead by the National Prosecuting Authority. A panel discussion will be held at Congress on this important study. Members who are involved in the area are invited to make suggestions via the PsySSA offices.
IN THE NEXT PsyTalk:
· Full Congress Programme
· CPD Made Easy
· Details of further CPD activities
· Professional Board issues
· Psychopharmacology Update
SASCH is very active
The South African Society of Clinical Hypnosis (SASCH), headed by Ms Elize Fourie, has as its primary goal the training of Psychologists, Medical Practitioners & Dentists in four different hypnotherapeutic modalities available in this field, ie, Ego-State Therapy, Ericksonian Techniques and Medical Hypnoanalysis. The usefulness of hypnotherapy lies in its ability to rapidly resolve problems (which the medical aids in South Africa are now focussed towards) as well as to resolve unconscious processes causing mental problems.
SASCH annually presents extensive, certified training workshops at Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels in these modalities of hypnotherapy. This training programme has been acknowledged by the International Society of Hypnosis (of which SASCH is a constituent member) as being amongst the most comprehensive of all member countries.
In addition to the formal training workshops, SASCH also presents regular workshops and seminars, covering a wide variety of topics of interest to therapists. These include therapeutic approaches to a specific problem (eg, eating disorders or depression), which are viewed from not only a hypnotherapeutic perspective, but also in terms of medical, psychiatric and multi-disciplinary interventions. During a recent workshop on complementary & alternative healing approaches, one of the speakers was Dr Merci Manci of the Promotion of Traditional Medicine Association of SA, who addressed the seminar on the incorporation of African Traditional healing methods into a holistic therapeutic approach.
Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Medical Practitioners and Dentists interested in obtaining more information regarding SASCH and the workshops to be presented can contact Kathy at the SASCH office: Tel (012) 807-2941, E-mail: sasch@icon.co.za, or access the SASCH website: www.sasch.co.za
SASCH supports PsySSA's national congress and will have a block presentation at the congress, including a pre-congress elementary training course in clinical hypnosis
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MRM Launch Relies on Psychology
Psychologists played a leading role at the Moral Regeneration Movement launch held on Thursday 18 April at Waterkloof Airforce Base. Besides the PsySSA President (Dr Ann Watts), Past President (Prof Lionel Nicholas), Board Chairperson (Dr Saths Cooper) and Prof Arvin Bhana (Previous Council Member), the HPCSA Registrar (Advocate Boyce Mkhize), was requested to facilitate commissions at the MRM launch.
The specific objectives of the launch were to: Provide an opportunity to diagnose the past and present state of the moral crisis in South Africa; Reflect on strategies and measures to reconstruct the social values of the new democratic South Africa; Facilitate the evolution of a dynamic mass movement to help and support the government-civil society initiative in planning an effective programme of action for the moral renewal of our society; Design a vigorous programme of action for a sustainable moral regeneration campaign; Promote national advocacy for the creation of an ethical, caring and corruption-free society; Strengthen the foundations of our hard-won freedom and democracy by building a strong moral society, based on a common code of ethics and behaviour. Key outcomes were the production of a national partnership-oriented programme of action that Government has assigned top priority in the country's national agenda in the medium term and the design of comprehensive strategies based on the multidimensional nature of the issues that are fundamental to the lasting solution of eradicating social and economic ills in our society.
Indemnity for Psychologists
The professional indemnity insurance cover exclusive to PsySSA members is now in effect. Specially tailored to meet the needs of PsySSA members at a very affordable annual premium of only R200 (valid until 31 May 2002, an application form is contained in this PsyTalk), the cover protects members against any civil claims as well as any ethical complaints for up to R2.5m, with no excess payable. This superior and inexpensive cover includes negligence, malpractice, legal representation and costs, defamation, claims against locums and employees, and retrospective cover is negotiable.
PsySSA Executive Member, Dr Louise Olivier, who has adjudicated complaints with the Professional Board for Psychology against psychologists says "It is amazing that most psychologists have not taken the caution to protect themselves should there be some complaint, whether valid or not, against them." Ms Sandy Jocelyn, who almost went bankrupt when she was sued for defamation, assumed that she had no need for professional indemnity, as "it would not happen" to her! Prof Charles Malcolm who also has a track record of dealing with ethical issues at PsySSA and the Board maintains "One takes insurance, not because one is unethical, but just for that remote occasion when a complaint is lodged, which can be emotionally, financially and professionally draining. Taking indemnity is part of an professional ethical attitude."
Stella Tedeschi at First Link Insurance Brokers (Tel: 012 309 1333) will answer any questions on this PsySSA Professional Indemnity Cover for Psychologists, as will Fatima at the PsySSA offices.
Students on the Move
The Student Division, headed by Ms Fatima Seedat, has really been on the move. They managed to dragoon the PsySSA President and the Board Chair to address meetings at various universities on "Psychology as a Career.' These meetings, held at UCT, Stellenbosch, UWC, UOFS, Wits, RAU, and UNP attracted a large number of students intent on pursuing psychology, especially undergraduates. The other universities can expect the same treatment! Way to go, Student Division!
Psychometry and Registered Counsellors
There are more than 2500 psychometrists registered with the Professional Board for Psychology. The new BPsych dispensation will also see an increasing number of Registered Counsellors register each year. Although persons in these categories are represented on the Board, they have been in need of an organisation that can represent them and further their professional interests. According to Mr Mattheus Bosman, the Convenor of the division, "PsySSA is a strong 'trade union' and will certainly be able to meet these requirements".
The PsySSA Council accepted the request from psychometrists and registered counsellors to become part of the Society at the PsySSA conference in 2001. Initially an interest group was formed with the main objective to recruit more members. A number of psychometrists and registered counsellors joined the interest group and it subsequently developed into a full division of PsySSA.
This division will have its first meeting at the congress in September, where bearers will be elected and the constitution adopted. The division will ensure the maintenance of high ethical standards among its members and will assist in the professional development of psychometrists and registered counsellors.
PsySSA members may join the division for R30. Psychometrists may join PsySSA and the division at a special all-inclusive rate of R400 until Congress. The offices may be contacted for more information
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