My name is Amy Howie and I am an experienced Psychology Board approved supervisor. I am passionate about mentoring provisional psychologists through their internship, completing all AHPRA requirements, and assisting them in their journey to becoming capable, confident and competent registered psychologists. I am able to provide individually tailored external supervision either in person or via video conference to provisionally registered psychologists undertaking the 4+2 or 5+1 psychology internship program. I have availability to accept new supervisees for individual or group supervision as either Primary or Secondary Supervisor. Individual supervision can be in one or two hour blocks and can be weekly, fortnightly, or as needed. If this is what you are looking for then please read on and get in touch!
A psychology internship can be overwhelming at first due to all of the forms and requirements combined with trying to learn how to work with clients in whatever role you are in. Having an experienced supervisor who is organised and aware of all of the steps, as well as knowledgeable about a wide range of client presentations across the lifespan provides a safe and secure environment to be able to grow as a psychologist. If you choose me to be your supervisor I will be there for you every step of the way.
All of my supervisees are provided with a Contract of Supervision so that our roles and responsibilities are clear. You will also have access to an extensive library of resources. I am familiar with all of the AHPRA internship requirements and have experience at assisting interns with client treatment planning, diagnosis, interventions, ethics, legal issues, case reports, and assessments. I can assist you in your preparation and study for the National Psychology Exam. The initial session will be focused on developing a learning plan for the next 6 months which will identify tasks to be completed, continuing professional development plans, supervision needs and preferences, and areas for further development.
It will be my role to assist you in maintaining a balance between your client work and completion of internship tasks, and ensure you meet all of your requirements and competencies to become a capable and confident fully registered psychologist. I will also focus on your wellbeing, career development and how to avoid burnout. I will adapt my supervision style to suit your learning and professional needs.
If you are about to commence an internship or have started one and need a new primary supervisor or additional secondary supervisor and would like to talk to me further, then please contact me via the Contact page or call Amy on 07 3472 5061. I will be happy to offer you a free 15 min phone call or video call to discuss your requirements and whether I would be the best supervisor for you.
Group Supervision and Professional Development Workshops
I offer regular 2 hour group supervision sessions for provisionally registered psychologists. Group supervision is an excellent way to increase your supervision hours at a reduced cost as well as increase your professional network and have exposure to a wider range of ideas and experiences from other interns. Group supervision sessions have 2-5 participants and are based on the needs of the group. They can be focused on case discussions, professional issues, ethical dilemmas, or be more structured to be like mini workshops. I can also conduct online professional development workshops on the topics below for groups of 5 or more. Group supervision and workshops can include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Writing case reports
- Preparing for the National Psychology Exam
- Effective record keeping
- Diagnostic issues
- Treatment planning
- Psychiatric medications
- Introduction to Schema Therapy
- Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Interventions for drug and alcohol abuse/dependence
- Screening assessments – when and how to use them
- How to have an effective initial session and
- How to improve client retention
- Trauma focused interventions
- Interventions for anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Communicating effectively with other stakeholders, professionals and Doctors
- Ethical dilemmas
- Working with children and adolescents
- Chronic pain and adjustment to injury
- Self care and avoiding burnout
Approval from AHPRA is not required for attendance at groups and I am able to sign your attendance as a primary or secondary supervisor. All secondary supervisors are required to be listed on your 6 monthly progress reports which are completed by your primary supervisor. You can have up to 30 hours of group supervision under the 5+1 program and up to 60 hours under the 4+2 program.
Please contact Amy on 07 3472 5061 or via the Contact page to discuss available groups. Bookings can be made online once you have spoken to Amy and been set up in the system.
Fees For Provisional Psychologists
| Individual Supervision Session online or in person | $160 per hour |
| 2hr Group Supervision Session online | $160 |
| 2hr Professional Development Workshop online | $100 |
| Indirect Supervision (for editing case reports, preparation of progress reports, signing logbooks etc) | $160 per hour |
NB: Fees are due within 7 days of supervision and are GST exempt and tax deductable if paid for by the supervisee. Please see the schedule of fees on the page for organisations if our supervision is being paid for by your employer.
Choosing a Primary Supervisor
Selecting a primary supervisor may initially feel like a daunting task, given the substantial time commitment involved—up to 2 hours per week. It’s crucial to approach this decision with care, aiming to choose someone with whom you feel at ease and who can effectively guide you through your internship journey. Opting for an external supervisor presents distinct advantages. Their primary focus revolves around the best interests of the supervisee and the client, fostering an environment where you can openly discuss mistakes and concerns without apprehension of reprisals or organisational pressures. This freedom allows for more transparent and constructive dialogue. Furthermore, an external supervisor can play a pivotal role in navigating conflict resolution, as well as addressing any ethical or organizational issues that may surface during the course of your internship.
Workplaces may offer onsite supervision, presenting both advantages and drawbacks. One of the merits lies in its typical inclusion in your salary package, potentially making it a more cost-effective option. Additionally, an onsite supervisor is expected to possess an in-depth understanding of your role, the clientele, and the work environment. Ideally, they would be consistently available for regular check-ins and emergencies. However, the downside of onsite supervision is the limited choice in selecting your supervisor, potentially leading to a mismatch in personality or theoretical approach. Another consideration is when the supervisor also serves as your line manager, introducing organisational perspectives into the supervisory relationship. This dual role may involve monitoring your work performance against key outcomes and benchmarks, potentially affecting the dynamics of your supervisory experience.
Ideally your primary supervisor should:
- Be a current AHPRA Psychology Board approved supervisor (this is essential and all supervisors must complete refresher training every 5 years to maintain their supervisor status so do check)
- Have at least 5 years’ experience working with a wide range of clients across the lifespan
- Be fully informed of all the AHPRA requirements for completion of the registration process
- Have good systems for keeping track of the AHPRA requirements and dates for completion
- Oversee your internship, sign your documents and ensure you have completed all requirements and competencies to a satisfactory standard
- Provide a supportive, non-judgemental environment for you to learn and grow
- Be able to provide you with information, advice and constructive feedback in a way that suits your personality and learning style
- Ensure that you have a balance of clinical discussion and task completion
- Assist you to meet your learning goals and complete your internship in your desired time-frame
- Assist you in improving your clinical work with your clients
- Help you to become a more capable, confident and self-reflective psychologist
- Have competency in all or most of the requirements of your internship
- Have a broad range of experience
- Have an understanding of a range of theoretical models that are consistent with the way you would like to work
- Have availability to consult with your regularly – at least 1-2 hours per week
- Provide you with a contract of supervision which clearly outlines the structure and all of the expectations for you and them
When first meeting with a potential supervisor you should ask lots of questions about their experience, the types of clients they have worked with, the theoretical models they draw from, their availability, and fees. Ask to see their supervision contract so you know what the expectations will be. Do check their experience in providing supervision to interns and that they have a full knowledge and understanding of the AHPRA internship guidelines and requirements. Above all you need to find someone you feel comfortable with and can trust as completing an internship is a long and challenging journey and often requires you to be vulnerable through direct observations of your work and discussion of mistakes and ethical issues.
What is the role of a secondary supervisor?
The role of a secondary supervisor complements that of the primary supervisor, who oversees your internship and provides the primary source of supervision. In addition to your main supervisor, you have the option of engaging with one or more secondary supervisors to enhance your overall supervision experience. This supplementary support can take the form of group supervision, fostering connections with fellow interns and offering a collective learning environment while simultaneously reducing the overall cost of your internship supervision. Alternatively, you may opt for individualized supervision with a secondary supervisor who possesses expertise in specific areas not covered by your primary supervisor, such as psychometric assessments, diverse age groups, or unique client presentations. In cases where your primary supervisor may face scheduling constraints, and meeting the recommended 2 hours per week supervision for full-time work becomes challenging, a secondary supervisor can help bridge the gap and ensure your supervision requirements are met effectively.
Resources for Provisional Psychologists
I have an extensive library of resources and all supervisees who attend one on one primary or secondary supervision will have access to a One Drive folder with AHPRA resources, client resources, templates, interventions, treatment guidelines and more. Below are some useful websites.
AHPRA Provisional Registration Page – Find all AHPRA forms and guidelines here
https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Registration/Provisional.aspx
Australian Psychological Society (APS) – Information and resources for psychologist members and non-members and the general public
Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPI) – Information and resources for psychologist members and non-members and the general public
Centre for Clinical Interventions – excellent resource for interventions, client handouts and training
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/
Wise Mind – an extensive content library of psychology video lessons, demonstrations, workbooks, and therapy worksheets.
Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) – offers practitioners across Australia the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary programs: mental health practitioner networks and free online professional development webinars and podcasts.
Mental Health Academy – Professional development courses in mental health.
https://www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/
Black Dog Institute – research institute with resources for clients and professionals.
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
AON – professional indemnity insurance
https://business-insurance.aon.com.au/insurance-for-health-professionals/psychologists-insurance