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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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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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MY CAREER IN PSYCHOLOGY 9

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.

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.

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.

https://bacb.com/bcba/

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.

https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.61.4.271

https://apa.org/ethics/code/ethics-code-2017.pdf

https://bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/170706-compliance-code-english.pdf

https://bacb.com/bcba/

https://bacb.com/bcba/bcba-requirements/

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3251-9

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/03/cultural-competence

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251303244_Critical_Thinking_What_It_Is_and_Why_It_Counts

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

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2014.68.2.177

https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22296

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61539-1

https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2018.0021

Conclusion