Getting the most out of APS Member Group directories

In response to members' feedback, in 2010 the Society developed member directories for each APS Member Group (Branches, Colleges and Interest Groups), to assist members wishing to network at a more local level with colleagues who share similar expertise or interests. Many members may not be aware that all APS Member Groups have their own directory of members listed on their relevant webpage that can be accessed from the menu on the left side of the page. Only members of each respective Member Group have access to the particular member directory and listings include only those members who have actively opted in. Initial contact with members can be made through the member’s telephone number provided in the directory.

To enable members to get even more out of the directories of the Member Groups to which they belong, two new categories were recently added to these directories: ‘Interest in peer consultation’ and ‘Availability to supervise provisional psychologists’.

Interest in peer consultation

All registered psychologists must engage in 10 hours of peer consultation as part of the annual mandatory CPD requirements that have been stipulated by the Psychology Board of Australia. The capacity for members of particular APS Member Groups to indicate their interest in peer consultation in the Member Group directory will facilitate members with similar interests and levels of expertise to formulate an arrangement for peer consultation sessions or groups in their local vicinity.

Availability to supervise provisional psychologists

There is widespread concern about the difficulties for provisional psychologists in finding supervisors, particularly with the advent of the more rigorous requirements for training via the 4+2 route that have been brought in by the Psychology Board of Australia. Enabling members to indicate their availability to supervise provisional psychologists in the Member Group directories is aimed at facilitating supervision arrangements under the new regulations.

How to add a category to your profile

Members who would like to add either or both of these categories to their entry in a Member Group directory should take the following steps (please note that profiles cannot be completed or altered directly on the Member directory page). Go to ‘Manage your Membership’ in the Quick links on the right side of the APS website home page. Go to the ‘Update my details’ option, scroll down the page to ‘Member Groups Directory Listing’ and tick the categories to be included.

If you select the ‘Are you interested in arranging peer consultation?’ tick box you are advising colleagues that you are interested in being part of some form of peer consultation arrangement. If you select the ‘Do you provide supervision to provisional psychologists?’ tick box you are advising colleagues that you provide supervision for provisional psychologists who are seeking registration as a psychologist via the 4+2
supervision pathway.

If you are currently not listed in your relevant member directory, are eligible to be listed and wish to appear, follow the above steps and tick the directory(s) in which you wish to be listed.

As members would realise, the APS complies with the Privacy Act. Within the Member Group directories, listed members have agreed to share their personal details only with members from the same Member Group. Such information should not be disclosed without the member’s consent.