Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
This final assignment provides you an opportunity to transform your vision into reality by translating your exploration and brainstorming activities into a plan to actualize your vision and achieve your goals. By now, you are a practitioner-scholar with a lot of knowledge and insight about your interests in psychology and your career trajectory.
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Preparation
Throughout this course, you had opportunities to clarify your passions and interests in psychology practice and scholarship, to create goals to help you achieve your vision, and to explore the competencies and requirements for pursuing a career in your specialized field of psychology. To begin this assignment:
- Take some time to reflect on all you have learned about the field and ways you can contribute to psychology, especially within your specialization.
- Review work you have done in previous weeks that you could revise and incorporate into this final assignment.
- Review the Your Career in Psychology Template [DOC]. You will need to use this template when writing your paper.
- Use the Your Career in Psychology Worksheet [DOC] to organize your ideas.
- Read the Your Career in Psychology Assignment Exemplar [PDF] for an example of a completed assignment.
Instructions
Complete the following in the Your Career in Psychology Template:
1. APPLICATION AND RESEARCH VISION
- Describe your vision for your career as a practitioner-scholar.
- Discuss how you would apply the findings from your literature review to your future professional practice in psychology.
- What aspects of your research affected your vision or goals?
- Given this, what topics do you think you would be interested in researching in the future?
- Analyze how your work this quarter will help you accomplish the functions, responsibilities, and ethics required of a professional in your specialization. Remember to critically evaluate all information you use.
- Describe how your vision was affected by the information in your readings from your Career Paths in Psychology text and in your exploration of the Career Center and other resources.
2. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS
Understanding the competencies and responsibilities involved in your future career in psychology is essential for growing as a practitioner-scholar in your field. It is also necessary to understand any requirements needed for your specialized practice and scholarship.
For this step in the assignment, describe the competencies, responsibilities, ethical considerations, and other requirements needed for achieving your vision and goals as a professional in psychology. These include:
- Capella program and specialization requirements.
- Credentialing, certification, licensure, and accreditation practices and standards.
- Analyze the role of the practitioner-scholar model in guiding professional development.
- Skills, abilities, and attitudes critical to success in the field of psychology, such as those related to critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, evidence-based practices, ethical integrity, cultural competence, and conflict resolution.
- Make note of skills, abilities, and attitudes related to the practitioner-scholar model and the experience you had in researching scholarly sources in your literature review.
- Ethical codes, principles, laws, and policies applicable to your chosen career path.
- Skills, abilities, and attitudes critical to success in the field of psychology, such as those related to critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, evidence-based practices, ethical integrity, cultural competence, and conflict resolution.
3. ACTION PLAN
With all this knowledge of your vision and goals, and the competencies and requirements for the field in hand, you are ready to plot your course to making these aspirations a reality. The final step in this assignment is to create an action plan to achieve your goals. This means translating the requirements for your profession and the development areas you identified into specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed (SMART) steps to achieve your vision.
Include these elements in your action plan:
- Plan for completing your Capella program.
- Possible opportunities for additional training or volunteer work to address gaps in your knowledge or skills.
- Possible opportunities in your current position to develop additional skills.
- Capella community groups and professional organizations that you could join for networking with others and completing additional informational interviews.
- How you will stay current with the research, literature, and ethics in the field.
- Steps you can take to become more inclusive in your professional life.
- How you can apply what you have learned in this course about researching psychological literature and evaluating it in terms of reliability, credibility, ethics, and value.
- How you will apply critical thinking and effective decision making in your specialization.
- How you will use Capella’s support resources to develop the skills required to improve your writing and other competencies essential to the profession and to your role as a graduate learner.
Review the SMART Goals presentation, Career Center resources, and search the Capella University Library for additional reflective exercises and inspiring ideas about transforming your vision into an action plan.
Before You Submit
To maximize your scoring potential, be sure that you fully address all assignment requirements and meet the criteria in the scoring guide that will be used to assess your assignment. It is helpful to self-score your paper using the scoring guide before submitting, to be sure that you are meeting criteria for the grade you want to earn. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
SMARTHINKING
It is recommended that you have your assignment reviewed by Smarthinking. Plan 24–48 hours to get results from this service, and additional time to make revisions before you submit the assignment to your instructor for a grade.
SAFEASSIGN
Submit a draft of your assignment to SafeAssign for review of proper citations and references. It is very important that you always submit your work as a draft so you can make revisions before submitting your assignment for grading. Refer to the courseroom SafeAssign resources for guidance in accessing your feedback from SafeAssign, interpreting your report, and improving your writing and citations for your assignment.
Additional Requirements
- Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- Writing style: APA expectations for scholarly writing include the use of third-person narrative, unless it is awkward to do so. However, because you are talking about yourself in this paper, you may write in the first person.
- APA formatting: References and citations should be formatted according to current APA style and format. Include a title page, abstract, and references list.
- Resources: Minimum of five resources with at least three of them from course readings. Your references may include both scholarly literature and practitioner sources. All references need to be cited in-text, according to current APA standards. Remember that citations are to support your thoughts, not take the place of them!
- Length: 5–7 double-spaced pages, not including the title page or references page.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
- Template: Use the Your Career in Psychology Template [DOC] to format your assignment. Also see the Week 9 Assignment Exemplar for an example of a completed assignment.
- Submission: Once you are satisfied with your paper and have made all necessary revisions, submit your assignment no later than Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Central time.
SCORING GUIDE
Your work will be evaluated using this criteria.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 1: Analyze the role of the practitioner-scholar model in guiding professional development.
- Describe a vision for your career, including three specific goals.
- Explain how your literature review and research on career information affected your vision.
- Competency 2: Evaluate psychological literature in terms of reliability, credibility, ethics, and value.
- Discuss how to evaluate psychological literature in terms of reliability, credibility, ethics, and value.
- Competency 3: Analyze the functions, responsibilities, and ethics required of a psychology professional.
- Analyze the functions, responsibilities, and ethics required of a psychology professional.
- Create an action plan to achieve your goals that includes most of the required elements.
- Competency 4: Apply critical thinking and effective decision making.
- Discuss how to apply critical thinking and effective decision making as a psychologist.
- Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
- Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.
- Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
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cf_u09a1_worksheet_yourcareer1WEEK9.docxYour Career in Psychology Worksheet
This document helps you on the path to transforming your future career vision into a reality by translating the critical competencies and requirements for your career into a step-by-step action plan. Each week, you will complete a section of the guide and draft that section of your paper to improve the clarity of your descriptions and action plan.
Remember to consider this a snapshot in time. This will be a cornerstone for your professional development and you will want to come back to your career plan regularly to make sure you make progress towards your future in the field of psychology.
Applying Critical Thinking Skills
Research: Identify Professional Competencies
Throughout the course, you have worked toward establishing a vision for your future career in psychology based on your passions, interests, and aspirations in the field. You have also covered a wide range of competencies relevant to your success as a psychology professional and graduate learner.
Workplace competencies are capabilities needed to accomplish tasks that are central to one’s profession. They comprise critical skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Understanding the competencies that are critical to your success is essential for preparing yourself to become a practitioner-scholar in your specialized field. You may know that education in such competencies is fundamental to Capella’s mission and philosophy. The syllabus of each course lists the competencies that learners will acquire and demonstrate in the course. At the levels of programs and specializations, these competencies are generalized as learning outcomes. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Investigate the following resources to identify the competencies needed for the specialization you are most interested in:
Review the program learning outcomes for psychology and clinical psychology listed below:
· Determine the scientific merit of the professional literature.
· Apply theoretical and research findings from the discipline of psychology to professional and academic activities.
· Apply ethical principles and standards of psychology to academic and professional activities.
· Embrace, respect, and respond to individual differences and diversity in the practice of psychology.
· Communicate psychological concepts effectively using the professional standards of the discipline.
Find the outcomes for a specialization:
· Go to the Master’s Degrees in Psychology web page.
· Click the Explore program button for your program.
· Go to the Specializations section and select a specialization.
· Review the learning outcomes listed under What You’ll Learn.
Find full learning and career outcomes for your program and specialization:
· Go to the Master of Science in Psychology page or the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology page of the Capella Learning and Career Outcomes site.
· Select a specialization to see potential employment settings and common job titles and positions.
Visit the Psychology Jobs website and browse job openings by category or search with keywords related to a specialization. Make note of the competencies, requirements, and qualifications that employers desire for these positions.
From these sources, develop a comprehensive list of about 10 competencies you will need for the specialization you are interested in, and enter them into the table below.
Enter the competencies and requirements for your specialization that you have gathered. We have started these lists for you with some critical competencies for everyone in psychology. Continue this work in the table.
Be sure to note the sources of your information in the References section below for use in your paper.
Use your completed work to draft the Professional Competencies section of the Your Career in Psychology Template.
Knowledge Skills Attitudes · Evidence-based practices. · Effective decision making. · Critical thinking.
· Effective communication.
· Ethical integrity. References
Put your references here.
Ethics in Psychology
Research: Identify Professional Requirements
Understanding the requirements that enable your specialized practice and scholarship is critical to planning your future career.
Outline the key requirements for achieving your future career vision in these categories:
· Capella MS in psychology requirements.
· Capella specialization requirements.
· Additional education.
· Additional training.
· Licensure, credentialing, or accreditation.
· Work experience.
Investigate sources for this information:
Find the required courses for a specialization:
· Return to Master’s Degrees in Psychology .
· Click the Explore Program button for your program.
· Go to the Specializations section and select a specialization.
· Click Courses.
· Review the sample courses and then click View All Courses.
· If applicable, visit the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards to document any specific licensure or certification or other requirements for your career vision.
Explore Professional Associations from the Career Center. Visit the web pages of organizations related to your specialization and document any requirements they list.
Search for additional information in the Capella library and on the Internet. Refer to the PSY5002 & PSY5005 Research Guide for guidance.
Fill in the table below. Be sure to note the sources of your information in the References column for use in your paper.
Use your completed work to draft the Professional Requirements section of the Your Career in Psychology Template.
Category Requirements References Capella MS in Psychology Requirements Capella Specialization Requirements Additional Education Additional Training Licensure, Credentialing, or Accreditation Work Experience Professional Associations Ethical Codes, Policies, Laws, et cetera Your Career in Psychology
Envisioning yourself as practitioner-scholar in psychology is a great way to integrate the important competencies of connecting the rigor of theory and the relevance of practice into the vision for your future career in your specialized field. The following activities will help you connect your vision to becoming a practitioner-scholar. It will also help you create meaningful goals to achieve your vision. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Refining Your Vision
Based on the knowledge you have gained throughout the course, revise your vision for your final assignment.
Your Revised Vision Reflect on how your activities in the course have affected your vision.
Question Reflection How does your vision relate to being a practitioner-scholar? You may want to reference these resources:
Capella University. (2003). Learning model quick reference and examples.
McClintock, C. (2004). Scholar practitioner model. In A. DiStefano, K. E. Rudestam, & R. J. Silverman (Eds.), Encyclopedia of distributed learning (pp. 394–397). SAGE.
How would you apply your findings from your literature review to your future professional practice in psychology? How will your work this quarter help you accomplish the functions, responsibilities, and ethics required of a professional in your specialization? How was your vision affected by the information in your readings from your Career Paths in Psychology text and your exploration of the Career Center and other resources? Use your completed work to draft the Application and Research Vision section of the Your Career in Psychology Template.
Creating Meaningful Goals
Once you create your vision as a psychology practitioner-scholar, it is time to translate that vision into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely long-term goals to create milestones for a plan of action. Review your narrative and formulate personally meaningful and relevant educational, career, and life goals to achieve your vision. Here are a couple of examples to get you started:
Earn my master’s degree in psychology in three years.
Develop strategies to stay up to date and evaluate scholarly and professional literature and research related to key theories, authors, and best practices in technology enhanced K–12 learning over the next three years.
Accurately select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests in the workplace in four years.
Complete the following:
Review the SMART Goals presentation for more information about creating specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals. Focus on the Long-Term Goal section at this point. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Review your vision statement and use the table below to start drafting goals to break down your vision into long-term milestones.
Specific What exactly should I be doing to help me achieve my vision?
Measurable How will I know when the goal is complete?
Attainable Is the goal reachable?
Relevant Does the goal reflect steps needed to achieve my vision?
Time-Bound Are there definite start and end dates and/or time for this goal?
As you complete your goals section, you may uncover new elements related to your vision. Be sure to go back and add any of those elements into your vision draft to ensure your goals and vision align.
Review the following information as you draft your goals:
Purpose: The purpose of your vision is to create an inspirational and realistic description for how you want to contribute to your specialized field of psychology based on your passions and interests.
Primary Audience: Because this is a personal vision statement for your future career, you are your primary audience. Envision yourself in a time where you are frustrated and want to throw in the towel. What would help you remember your purpose and inspire you to continue moving forward towards your vision?
Secondary Audience: Your vision should also be clear to other people (such as family, friends, and your instructor) so you can share it with others and receive support in achieving it.
References: Reference any supporting documents you used to create your vision.
Use your completed work to draft the Application and Research Vision section of the Your Career in Psychology Template.
Planning Your Actions
Now that you have all this knowledge of the competencies and requirements for your field you are ready to plot your course to make these aspirations a reality. This section helps you translate the requirements for your profession and the development areas you identified into specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed steps to achieve your vision. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Complete the following:
1. Add your goals to the first column.
1. Review your work in the previous sections and draft any additional long-term goals required to achieve your future career vision.
1. Use the steps column to break down your long-term goal into smaller steps to accomplish. Here are a couple of examples:
· Complete your Capella program, additional training, and volunteer opportunities to overcome your knowledge and skill gaps.
· Create opportunities in your current position to develop additional skills through coaching or stretch assignments.
· Join Capella Community groups and professional organizations for networking with others and completing additional informational interviews.
· Stay current with the research and literature in the field by reading specific peer-reviewed journals.
· Use Smarthinking and other support resources to improve the skills required to successfully develop your writing and other competencies essential to the profession and your role as a graduate learner.
Use the support column to identify what you need to help you achieve your goal.
Long-Term Goal What should I be doing to help me achieve my vision?
Steps What specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound steps do I need to take to achieve the goal?
Support What information, resources, and people do I need to achieve my goal?
Even with the best intentions, you may run into barriers to achieve your goals. Use the table below to outline potential barriers to achieving your goals and solutions for addressing them.
Barriers What might get in my way of my goal?
Solutions How could I best address those barriers?
Understanding the benefits of achieving your vision, your confidence in completing your outlined steps, and your commitment to your plan are important to motivating yourself to achieve your career vision. Use the table below to reflect on these elements related to the steps you outlined.
Reflective Question Reflective Response What are the benefits of achieving your future career vision? How confident are you about taking the steps you outlined above to achieve your vision? How committed are you to achieving your vision? Hopefully, these exercises have helped you clarify your vision for your future in psychology and your path to your desired career. Use the table below to reflect on what you have learned throughout this process. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Reflective Question Reflective Response What have you learned about yourself throughout this process? How have your psychology interests, career vision, and professional perspective changed from this process? What are you most excited about related to your career plan? Use your completed work to draft the Action Plan section of the Your Career in Psychology Template.
Drafting Your Career in Psychology Assignment
Now that you have worked through preliminary exercises and drafted some sections of your paper, you are prepared to begin the remaining sections in the Your Career in Psychology Template:
1. Review your notes from your interview with a psychology professional and integrate any relevant information into your paper.
1. After completing a draft of the previously outlined sections of your paper, draft these additional sections in the assignment template:
· Title page in APA format.
· Abstract: A concise summary of every main point in the paper.
· Introduction: A concise overview of the paper’s content.
· Conclusion: A concise summary of important points of the paper, explaining the benefits of achieving your future career vision and becoming a practitioner scholar in the field of psychology and the importance and relevance of your vision and goals to your personal and professional aspirations. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
· References in APA format.
Note: To maximize your scoring potential, be sure that you fully address all assignment requirements and meet the criteria in the Your Career in Psychology Scoring Guide.
At this point, your paper should be 6–7 typed and double-spaced pages excluding the title page, abstract, table of contents, and reference list. If you do not meet this requirement, go back and add more detailed explanation to your paper. Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
Your paper should also include a minimum of five references with at least three of them from course readings. If you do not meet this requirement, go back to the research you found throughout the course and see how you may include some insights into your paper.
Read through your draft with a fresh perspective and revise it to improve the big picture elements:
The main ideas in your paper and how you explain them.
The order of your paragraphs and the logic behind the organization.
Your purpose for writing and the way you speak to your audience.
The focus of the sections of your paper.
The organization of your paper and the flow from section to section.
Use Smarthinking: How to Submit a Writing Sample to submit your draft for evaluation.
Be aware that the turnaround time for Smarthinking can be 24–48 hours from submission to receiving the feedback report. Plan accordingly. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Submit the assignment to SafeAssign for review of proper citations and references. It is very important that you always submit your work as a draft so you can make revisions before submitting it to the assignment link. Refer to the courseroom SafeAssign resources for guidance in accessing your feedback from SafeAssign, interpreting your report, and improving your writing and citations for your assignment.
Now that you drafted the components of your paper, revised it to improve flow, and received feedback from SafeAssign and Smarthinking, you are ready to finalize your assignment. Complete the following:
Review the feedback you received from Smarthinking and SafeAssign and revise your draft as needed.
Submit your assignment no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. Central time. Make sure your submission is a Word document.
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cf_u09a1_template_yourcareer_week9.doc
REPLACE WITH SHORT TITLE 1
REPLACE WITH SHORT TITLE 4
Replace With Your Title
First Name MI. Last Name
Capella University
Abstract
Replace this text with your own abstract. The text is already formatted for you. The abstract must be double-spaced and in block format with no left indentation. The seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (the APA manual) stipulates that an abstract should not exceed 250 words. The abstract is not an introduction to the subject. It is a summary of every main point in the paper. For more information about the abstract, see Section 2.9 in the APA manual. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Replace With Your Title
Use this space to create an introduction to your paper that explains your passions and interests in psychology and how they relate to your previous personal and professional experiences. You may use your introduction from your Unit 6: Literature Review assignment as a starting point. For more information about the introduction and body of your paper, see Section 2.11 in the APA manual.
Application and Research Vision
Use this space to develop a description of your future career vision as a psychology practitioner-scholar. Be sure to include individuals you wish to impact, the setting in which you would like to practice psychology, and specialized areas for research and scholarship in psychology. Also, use this space to formulate personally meaningful and relevant educational, career, and life goals to achieve your vision.
Discuss how you would apply the findings from your literature review to your future professional practice in psychology. Analyze how your work this quarter will help you accomplish the functions, responsibilities, and ethics required of a professional in your specialization. Describe how your vision was affected by the information in your readings from your Career Paths in Psychology text and your exploration of the Career Center and other resources.
For more information about organizing your paper with headings, see Sections 2.26 and 2.27 in the APA manual. Remember to integrate your scholarly references throughout your paragraphs. For more information about citing references in text, see Chapter 8, “Works Credited in the Text,” in the APA manual. Delete this comment before submitting your paper.
Professional Competencies
Use this space to describe the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for success in your career path. Be sure to include common skills critical to success within psychology, such as those related to critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, evidence-based practices, cultural competence, and conflict resolution. Also, include ethical competencies related to your specific profession. Finally, include any key responsibilities associated with positions related to your future career. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Professional Requirements
Use this space to outline the requirements for your future career including high-level Capella program and specialization requirements, credentialing, certification, licensure, and accreditation practices and standards, additional training, et cetera.
Action Plan
Use this space to create an action plan to achieve your goals. This means translating the requirements for your profession and the development areas you identified into specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed steps to achieve your vision.
Conclusion
Use this section to explain the benefits of becoming a practitioner-scholar in the field of psychology and explain the importance and relevance of your vision and goals to your personal and professional aspirations.
References
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume#(issue#), xx–xx.
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume#(issue#), xx–xx.
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume#(issue#), xx–xx.
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, volume#(issue#), xx–xx.
Sternberg, R. J. (Ed.). (2017). Career paths in psychology: Where your degree can take you (3rd ed.). American Psychological Association.
Your references for this paper should be scholarly articles but may include practitioner sources. Follow this template for the reference list. Be sure to alphabetize your references here, and remember to use in-text citations where you use them in your paper. For more information about references, see Section 2.12 and Chapter 9, “Reference List,” in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Delete this text before submitting your paper. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
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cf_Exemplar_PSY5005_Assignment_9_Updated_APA_7th_Ed..pdf
1 MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY
My Career in Psychology: Psychotherapy and the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
in Adults
Learner’s Name
Capella University
PSY5005: Foundations of Theory and Practices for Master’s Psychology Learners
My Career in Psychology
July, 2020
Copyright ©2020 Capella University. Copy and distribution of this document are prohibited.
2 MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY
Abstract
The practitioner-scholar model is useful in planning a career path toward the goal of becoming a
psychotherapist who treats autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults. This goal requires the
development of competencies such as critical thinking and knowledge of the ethics relevant to
psychological practice. Apart from a master’s degree with a relevant specialization, accreditation
from institutions like the American Board of Professional Psychology and the Behavior Analyst
Certification Board might be taken into consideration. These goals are steps to actualize my
vision of a society in which the needs of adults with ASD are met.
Keywords: practitioner-scholar, accreditation, competencies, vision, goals, ASD
Copyright ©2020 Capella University. Copy and distribution of this document are prohibited.
3 MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY
My Career in Psychology
Psychologists can be said to be engaged in the betterment of society by facilitating the
growth and well-being of their patients. Aside from their role of helping individuals with
psychological and emotional difficulties, psychologists also contribute to the field of psychology
by producing research that assists in evidence-based practice (American Psychological
Association [APA], 2006). My goal is to become a psychotherapist engaged in the treatment of
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among adults. I will provide therapy to adults with ASD while
also contributing to the psychological literature on the disorder and learning about its most
effective treatments. In my journey toward achieving this goal, I will use the practitioner-scholar
model.
Application and Research Vision
ASD is a set of developmental disorders characterized by early-onset difficulties in social
communication and interaction. Individuals with ASD might also exhibit repetitive behaviors,
and some struggle with intellectual disabilities. While support (in the form of early intervention
programs) is easily available for individuals with ASD when they are children, support for adults
with ASD is limited (Lai, et al., 2014). From my interview with behavior analyst Dr. Julianne
Lasley, I was able to confirm that this is true even in 2019. My vision is of a society in which the
needs of adults with ASD are met. This vision will be actualized by training and developing the
skills necessary to become a psychotherapist who uses applied behavior analysis in the treatment
of ASD in adults. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Achieving a vision becomes a realistic possibility if smart goals, which are specific,
measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound, are created. Creating smart goals also helps one
remain steadfast on the right course of action. My first smart goal is to complete my master’s in
Copyright ©2020 Capella University. Copy and distribution of this document are prohibited.
MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 4
psychology with a specialization in behavior analysis within the next two years. This is one of
my important goals as it gives me a strong base to build my career. The master’s degree will help
further my knowledge of the fundamental concepts of psychology. My second smart goal is to
develop a new practice in treating ASD or improve upon an existing one. As a practitioner-
scholar, I will study the current practices and suggest ways to improve them or even propose new
ones. This requires that I explore and familiarize myself with the different practices
(interventions or treatments) employed for the treatment of ASD. In addition to studying
scholarly literature, I will apply for an assistantship with a psychotherapist who specializes in the
treatment of adults with ASD. My third smart goal is to set up a specialized ASD forum in the
next 10 years that is dedicated to the active research and development of effective treatment
practices for adults with ASD. The forum will also be dedicated toward organizing knowledge
sharing conferences for practitioner-scholars.
Influence of Research on Vision and Goals
By focusing my literature review on identifying the most effective treatment practices for
adult ASD patients, I concluded that there is no best practice that is universally applicable to
patients of all age groups. A treatment practice that may be effective for one person may not be
effective for another person in the same way. Using my findings from the literature review, I will
categorize patients based on the treatment mode most suitable for them to ensure positive health
outcomes. I will also ensure that I judiciously train myself on the findings and carry out several
trials before adopting them as part of my professional practice. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
An aspect of research that influenced my vision and goals is the social impact of ASD in
the life of adult patients. The psychological pain adult ASD patients goes through because of the
difficulties they face in social interaction has inspired me to pursue clinical psychology to
Copyright ©2020 Capella University. Copy and distribution of this document are prohibited.
Commented [A1]: Hello Course Developers, I would apply the distinguished category in several ways for Describe a vision for your career, including three specific goals. 14% Here is the first place this category was met, and met well.
MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 5
become a psychotherapist committed to the treatment of adults with ASD. Another aspect of
research that influenced my vision is the disparity in the quality of health care services available
to ASD patients based on sex, race, socioeconomic status, and geography (Bishop-Fitzpatrick &
Kind, 2017). The gravity of the issue calls for increased education among ASD specialists and
health care organizations to ensure fairness and equality in care. This need for impartiality in
care has influenced my aim to become a psychotherapist who is accessible to patients across all
identities. My literature review has led me to develop an interest in conducting future research on
the social impact of mental disorders on patients’ lives, the relationship between culture and the
rise of specific mental health conditions in different societies, and the impact of behavioral
interventions in the management of symptoms in adults with ASD. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Application of Research in the Acquisition of Professional Competencies
Extensive reading has helped me gain a deeper insight into the responsibilities and the
requirements of an ASD expert. With my one-month internship at the Samson Health Institute,
which specializes in the treatment of ASD in adults, I aim to develop a practical hold of the
functions and responsibilities needed of an ASD expert. In my interviews with practitioners and
scholars in the area of ASD, the ethics of practice was a common topic of discussion. Dr.
Julianne Lasley, an acclaimed behavior analyst, emphatically stressed the necessity of taking the
approval of adults with ASD on treatment practices (Lasley, personal communication, August
15, 2018). Lasley argued that the mere gesture of taking the approval not only ensures shared
decision-making and patient-centered care but also has a significant bearing on the treatment
results because of the trust and confidence the gesture generates (Lasley, personal
communication, August 15, 2018). Further, the information available at Capella University’s
Commented [A2]: For Criterion 2 Explain how your literature review and research on career information affected your vision. 14% This would also meet the distinguished category, as would the following paragraph.
Copyright ©2020 Capella University. Copy and distribution of this document are prohibited.
MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 6
career path resources and Sternberg’s (2017) presentation helped me map out a full-fledged plan
for a career in psychotherapy with a special focus on the treatment of adult ASD patients.
Role of the Practitioner-Scholar Model in Professional Development
The practitioner-scholar model, also known as the scientist-practitioner model, has been
used for decades in the field of psychology. The model is built on the idea that the field of
psychology should have professionals that have a foundation in science, are trained in the most
effective methodologies, and are constantly engaged in the development of the field through
concrete empirical evidence (Weiss, 2018). Keeping my vision of contributing actively to the
development of effective treatment practices for adult ASD patients in mind, I think the model is
a perfect fit for my professional development. The model assumes that treatment practices for
adult ASD patients are informed by research and that scientific solutions will be pursued by a
clinician trained in research (Weiss, 2019). The assumption makes sense because, unlike a
practitioner, a practitioner-scholar relies on a combination of both experience and scientifically
proven research, better positioning the professional to find effective solutions to problems.
Professional Competencies and Responsibilities
Some of the core competencies framed in the professional competency framework of the
Association of States and Provincial Psychology Boards are critical thinking, cultural
competence, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationship, problem-solving, and evidence-based
decision-making (Hunsley et al., 2016). These competencies are also applicable to the
practitioner-scholar model. However, other refined competencies such as thorough knowledge of
scientific literature on empirically validated treatments, a comprehensive understanding of
empirical evidence and the methods involved in practice and research, and the capability to
differentiate one’s cognitive and emotional biases from the subject are also required by a
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Commented [A3]: This learner brought the reader back to his vision here and discussed the practitioner scholar model. This to me also demonstrated critical thinking.
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MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 7
practitioner-scholar (Gonsalvez & Crowe, 2018). The significance of a few competencies is
enunciated below:
Critical Thinking
Facione (2015) states that the process of critical thinking involves six cognitive skills
(interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, explanation, and self-regulation) along with a
disposition of critical spirit. Facione’s work is applicable to my primary goal in two ways. First,
critical thinking will help me determine the reliability, credibility, ethics, and the value of the
literature I engage with. As a future psychotherapist practicing applied behavior analysis, I will
need to categorize evidence-based literature according to its credibility. Determining whether the
author of a resource is credible involves applying the cognitive skills of analysis and evaluation.
By using my critical disposition, I might be better able to understand ASD and the interventions
that benefit adults with ASD. A critical disposition is defined as “a probing inquisitiveness, a
keenness of mind, a zealous dedication to reason, and a hunger or eagerness for reliable
information” (Facione, 2015, p. 10). This disposition will enable me to engage critically with the
works of credible authors to ensure that my own work is reliable. Further, developing a critical
disposition allows me to engage with information that is beyond the purview of my
specialization and inquire about the characteristics of adults with ASD, which broadens my
understanding of the disorder and makes me better equipped to develop new practices. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
Cultural Competence
Cultural competence can be understood as an individual’s ability to understand,
appreciate, and interact with people from diverse cultural communities without belonging to
them (DeAngelis, 2015). Cultural adaptation in treatments, basically the modification of
evidence-based treatments to suit different cultural groups (DeAngelis, 2015), has an important
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Commented [A4]: A good discussion of critical thinking which meets criterion Discuss how to apply critical thinking and effective decision making as a psychologist. 13% I would say it meets the distinguished category.
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MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 8
bearing on the efficacy of treatment. Breland Noble, the director of African-American
Knowledge Optimized for Mindfully-Healthy Adolescents, emphasizes the contribution of
culturally adaptive psychology treatments toward increasing the willingness of people to access
the treatments (DeAngelis, 2015) which, in turn, allows the practitioner to work with informed
and receptive patients.
Ethical Competencies
I should ensure that the studies I base my research (and practice) on are ethically sound.
Psychologists and psychology researchers often work with information that is private, and they
are required to ensure that this information is collected and treated with confidentiality. When
obtaining consent from participants in a study or experiment, researchers are also required to
consider their capacity to give consent. When working with participants with ASD, a disorder
often accompanied by social behavior impairments, a researcher must go beyond just confirming
that the participants have consented to the study. Additional permission must be sought from the
family or guardians of these participants. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
As a practicing psychologist, I will be privy to the intimate details of my patients. I will
need to observe a strict code to ensure their well-being and privacy. The APA and the BACB
both have ethical guidelines for practitioners to follow (APA, 2017; BACB, 2016). These
guidelines provide a protocol to ensure the well-being of patients and the legality of
practitioners.
Professional Requirements
The first professional requirement is to acquire my master’s degree certification from
Capella University. From my interview with Lasley, I have gathered that the accreditation board
for applied behavior analysts is the BACB. The interview also helped me understand that
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Commented [A5]: Excellent demonstration of a critical thinker and practitioner-scholar.
Commented [A6]: Most learners don’t include a separate ethics section so this leaner would earn marks for this, cultural competence and responsibilities discussed well. A distinguished for the category Analyze the functions, responsibilities, and ethics required of a psychology professional. 13%
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behavior analysts apply the fundamentals of behavior analysis to the different populations they
work with. The process of being certified by the BACB involves a test to assess the practitioner’s
knowledge of applied behavior analysis (BACB, n.d.-b). Thus, I have added the goal of receiving
my accreditation as a behavior analyst because this certification is necessary to treat autism in
adults (BACB, n.d.-a).
Action Plan
Duration Goal/ Milestone Skill/ Gains
July 2019 Begin master’s in psychology at
Capella University
Develop knowledge base of general
psychology principles
July 2019–June
2021
Study additional resources on
ASD produced by scholars
(review at least 2 per month)
Stay up to date with the current
practitioner scholarship
April 2020–July
2020
Assistantship with a
psychotherapist who specializes
in the treatment of ASD in
adults
Experience of what it means to be a
practitioner and the pragmatic
hurdles in working in the field
June 2019–July
2021
Study different approaches to
ASD apart from behavior
analysis (such as the
Widened scope of knowledge on best
practices
Commented [A7]: For Create an action plan to achieve your goals that includes most of the required elements. 13% this was a well developed action plan and I would give it a distinguished.
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MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 10
developments in neuroscience
related to ASD)
January 2021 Study for and write the BACB
exam
Accreditation for becoming a
behavior analyst
June 2021 Completion of Capella program Master’s degree in psychology
Conclusion
Adopting the practitioner-scholar model in my journey toward becoming a
psychotherapist helps me chart out an action plan that takes into consideration the limits of my
present knowledge while also preparing me for my career ahead. My vision is of a society in
which the needs of adults with ASD are met. Throughout my research, I have found that
behavioral interventions are effective in the treatment of ASD. Thus, I have chosen to specialize
in applied behavioral analysis during my master’s in psychology. Additionally, I wish to be a
psychologist who is not restricted by a specialty. My approach will include understandings
derived from other specialties that are relevant to the mind and behavior. Thus, I will also
explore the scholarly literature produced in the field of neuroscience that is related to ASD in the
hope of developing new practices. Commented [A8]: For Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards. 10% The proficient and distinguished categories are clear, and I appreciate the change in language to the rubric. It will be easier for learners to understand. Wk9 Essay Discussion Paper
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MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 11
References
American Psychological Association, Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice.
(2006). Evidence-based practice in psychology. American Psychologist, 61(4), 271–285.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.4.271
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of
conduct. https://apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2016). Professional and ethical compliance code for
behavior analysts. https://bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/170706-compliance-
code-english.pdf
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.-a). Board certified behavior analyst.
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (n.d.-b). BCBA requirements.
https://bacb.com/bcba/bcba-requirements/
Bishop-Fitzpatrick, L., & Kind, A. J. H. (2017). A scoping review of health disparities in autism
spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(11), 3380–3391.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3251-9
DeAngelis, T. (2015, March). In search of cultural competence. Monitor on Psychology, 46(3),
64. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/03/cultural-competence
Facione, P. (2015, January). Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251303244_Critical_Thinking_What_It_Is_and
_Why_It_Counts.
Commented [A9]: Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing. 10% Again, the proficient and distinguished categories are good, and I love the grading rubric.
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12 MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY
Gonsalvez, C. J., & Crowe, T. P. (2018). Evaluation of psychology practitioner competence in
clinical supervision. The American Journal of Psychotherapy, 68(2), 177–193.
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2014.68.2.177
Hunsley, J., Spivak, H., Schaffer, J., Cox, D., Caro, C., Rodolfa, E., & Greenberg, S. (2016). A
competency framework for the practice of psychology: Procedures and implications.
Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(9), 908–918. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22296
Lai, M.-C., Lombardo, M. V., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2014). Autism. The Lancet, 383(9920), 896–
910. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61539-1
Weiss, M. J. (2018). The concept of the scientist practitioner and its extension to behavior
analysis. Education and Treatment of Children, 41(3), 385–394.
https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2018.0021
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- Conclusion