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<strong>PsychNews</strong> Introducing your committee Lauren Moulds I first became interested in psychology when I realised that not everyone saw or thought the way I did. I became obsessed with understanding why. Almost 6 years of study on, I still cannot conclusively answer that question – in fact, it has sparked more questions, but my love of the field continues. I did a year of Behavioural Science at Flinders University then transferred to the University of Adelaide where I completed by Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – with my thesis on the experience of anxiety related to colonoscopy in first time patients. I am currently in my final year of my Master of Psychology (Health) at the University of Adelaide and completing a great placement at the Adelaide Institute of Sleep Health. My Master’s research is looking at the potential role of the health psychologist working with children under the guardianship of the Minister. Throughout my Honours year I was lucky enough to volunteer with the Guardianship Board, which gave me a wealth of insight and information about the concept of capacity and the legalities related to the Mental Health Act. For the last 9 months, I have been employed at the Brain Injury Network of South Australia (BINSA). I facilitate the Buddy Project, a one-on-one psychosocial program for individuals with an Acquired Brain Injury and also co-ordinate the Reconnect Transition Program – an 8 week program covering how BINSA clients relate to themselves, others and their community in a valueconsistent way. My future goal is to work in a multidisciplinary team with clients experiencing acute and chronic trauma and their adaptation to health - applying key psychological principles to help individuals adjust and approach changes in mental and physical health from a multifaceted perspective. I have always had a keen interest in politics, with past active roles in student representation, so I jumped at the opportunity to be part of the APS SA Branch Committee. I came on board last year as a minute taker and this year I have been given the chance to take more of an active role in the discussions of the meeting. I am hoping to bring my enthusiasm and optimism as well as to represent the APS student member population, via presenting relevant issues and challenges, and communicating relevant information back to the student population. 2 Kate Prescott The South Australia Newsletter I am not sure when the idea of being a psychologist gelled, but I do remember that I found a book on my father’s cousin’s bookshelf fascinating. In retrospect I think it was probably about the Goodenough Draw a Man or something similar. I was fourteen. A few years later I found out that there were such things as psychologists working in schools helping children and teachers. So that became the plan. I studied psychology at University of Adelaide, combining neurophysiology with extra psychology. The combination has continued to fascinate me, although I have not had the opportunity to pursue the neuro side as much as I would like. Dabbling in the neuroscience from afar has had to suffice. I also did some extra study in different models of counselling, and in systems theory News and views for APS Members in South Australia
MAY 2012 and systemic intervention. All very useful for work in education. My career has been fairly linear, with a few sideways adventures. I had to get teaching experience in order to get a job as a psychologist (then called Guidance Officers) with the Education Department, and thoroughly enjoyed being a teacher. But fate put an advertisement in front of me (and my principal) and the rest is history. I worked as a Guidance Officer in Mt. Gambier, in Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Pirie and district as a visiting service, and in the wider western suburbs of Adelaide. I worked as a psychologist for the Toronto Board of Education (Canada) for 12 months. I stepped sideways to work as a counsellor with the then Department of Personnel and Industrial Relations and learned a lot about other worlds, and about myself. I spent two years managing a national federally funded project for the AGCA called Teaching Prosocial Behaviour to Adolescents. I have been a Senior Guidance Officer, and a manager of multidisciplinary teams. Now I am back working as a full time psychologist in the www.groups.psychology.org.au ESL program of DECD, working with the new arrivals program for migrant and refugee students. A professional challenge on many levels. Western psychology just does not do it for some of these kids. Professionally I have been an active member of many committees at the local, national and international level. I have always wanted to support the profession, and selfishly I believe I am a better psychologist with the cross fertilization from other minds. And I have gained some valued friendships in the process. In the context of the APS I have been a co-opted member of the state committee and now an elected member. I represented SA school psychology on the APS School Psychology Reference Group for four years. I have been a long term member of the Psychologists for Peace interest group (since before it was an interest group of the APS) and have co-convened the last two judging panels for the Children’s Peace Literature Award. 3
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