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Personal Advisor Scheme for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Trainees in North Thames
Doctoral Degree Courses in Clinical Psychology
Introduction
The scheme is intended to compliment existing support schemes for clinical psychology
trainees in North Thames and act as an additional resource for gay, lesbian and
bisexual trainees. There is a growing awareness that gay, lesbian and bisexual
trainees may face particular issues related to their sexuality and sexual identity
that impact on their personal and professional development. Whilst the training
courses recognise that working together with trainees on these issues is good
practice there may be many reasons why trainees may not want to or feel able to
approach course staff about particular issues. The course teams have a dual role
of providing support but also of assessing trainees' academic and clinical competence
which may leave trainees feeling compromised were they to need personal support
in this area. This scheme provides trainees with an advisor who is independent
from their training environment and assessment.
This personal advisor scheme is intended to provide a private space where trainees
can explore any issues of concern or interest that may be impacting on their personal
and professional development. We would hope that the advisors role moves beyond
'troubleshooting' and dealing with difficulties and that trainees will feel free
to use them for support, advice and advocacy as appropriate.
Trainee Advisor Pairing
Because trainees may not want course staff to know that they are accessing the
scheme for support it is important that they are free to make a private decision
about this. Trainees will have access to a directory of named clinical psychologists
who have volunteered to act as personal advisors. This directory contains information
provided by advisors which aims to help trainees make choices about which particular
advisor they wish to approach. It is then the responsibility of trainees to contact
advisors to arrange a meeting. Trainee and advisor are then responsible for arranging
further meetings as required. Unless there are serious issues of concern the advisor
is not required to provide courses with information about their contact with trainees.
We would not recommend taking on more than one trainee, but obviously this decision
rests with advisors.
Guidelines
At the initial meeting between trainee and personal advisor it is advisable to
discuss and clarify the role of the advisor and limits of confidentiality.
The advisors role is not to provide personal therapy. If a trainee is in need
of therapy it is recommended that they seek advice about this from their advisor
or their course tutor as appropriate.
Personal advisors are bound by the BPS Professional Code of Conduct.
Contact between the personal advisor and trainee is confidential, but with reference
to the BPS code of professional conduct there may be circumstances where this
confidentiality would have to be breached.
It is recommended that personal advisors do not also act as clinical supervisors
to trainees that they have taken on in their advisor role.
If trainees decide to discontinue their contact with an advisor they would be
expected to inform advisors of this decision.
Contacts
Trainees who are interested in participating in the scheme may contact either
of the following;
Deepti Shah Armon, Tudor Wing, Hillingdon Hospital, Peild Heath Road, Uxbridge.
Email: deepti.Shah-armon@thh.nhs.uk. Tel: 01895 279 601. Fax: 01895 279 786
Jay Pieterse, Clinical Psychology Department, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford
Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ
Email: jay.pieterse@harrow.nhs.uk. Tel: 020 8869 2325/6. Fax: 020 8869 2817
People wishing to become advisors should contact either of the following (note:
you do not have to be lesbian, gay or bisexual to be an advisor);
Neil Rees. Email: N.Rees@uel.ac.uk. Tel: 0208 223 4475.
James Gray. Email: james.s.gray@ucl.ac.uk. Tel: 0207 679 5950.
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