AAPi's 2025 conference: Key sessions on psychology practice

New research, same story – one that young people have been sharing for years. Young people are clear that open access, youth-centred "one-stop-shop" support makes a real difference. But demand is high, and capacity is limited. The evidence reinforces the urgent need to expand early support hub provision nationwide, with particular focus on rural and underserved areas. As the government moves to roll out Young Futures Hubs, it’s vital we don’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, we must build on the strong foundations and good practice that already exist, ensuring existing hubs and evidenced models are scaled up to meet need, not replaced with more short-term pilots.

“Supervision is probably one of my top three favorite things about being a faculty member, helping students learn to trust themselves and develop their own clinical judgment and therapeutic style,” said Delishia Pittman, Temple CEHD associate professor. Blending expertise in psychology, public health and counseling with authentic mentorship, she empowers students to connect theory with real-world impact. Read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/Fn4950X5Lpc

As a treatment provider, it is important to help people in recovery believe in themselves. That’s why The Center recommends Motivational Interviewing (MI). An evidence-based, client-centered approach, MI effectively supports behavior change, especially in individuals who may feel ambivalent or resistant. It is considered a foundational skill for professionals in behavioral health, substance use treatment, healthcare and social services due to its respectful, non-confrontational style and proven outcomes. 🔗 Explore our MI resources at the link in the comments.

New Group for Young Adults: Skills for Emotional Wellbeing We’re excited to share a new offering at our practice this fall: Skills for Emotional Wellbeing, an 8-week therapy group designed to help young adults (ages 22–35) build practical tools for navigating life with more balance, confidence, and connection. Co-led by Christian Amalu, Psy.D. and Micole Amalu, this group creates a supportive, growth-focused space to learn and practice skills such as: ✅ Staying grounded in the present moment ✅ Coping with stress and challenges in healthy ways ✅ Understanding and managing emotions ✅ Building stronger, more fulfilling relationships Each session combines teaching, discussion, and guided practice so participants can immediately apply what they’re learning to real-life situations. Whether someone is seeking steadier emotions, healthier relationships, or simply more peace in daily life, this group is designed to help them grow. 📍 Who: Young adults ages 22–35 📅 When: 8 weekly sessions, Tuesday evenings starting 10/21/25 📌 Where: Our office in downtown Leesburg If you or someone you know could benefit, we’d love to connect. You can learn more or sign up here: https://lnkd.in/enpNyj4u

Today’s DECP conference, Psychology Matters: Professional Renewal, Inspiring Hope, delivered what it promised. This morning, I walked in with a touch of anxiety, expecting to be the lone private EP in a room full of LA colleagues. I came to hear about the profession’s hope for the future — and I wasn’t alone. I found myself among many private/independent EPs, all eager to be part of the conversation. We were invited to reflect intentionally on our journey home, so here are some of my key takeaways: • It can be ‘both/and’. We need to better understand our whole workforce — private, voluntary, and local authority. Today showed that we share common values and hopes for the profession. • We are experts. Our expertise lies in critical thinking within complex systems, applying implementation science to create meaningful change, and providing psychological safety for children, families, schools, and communities. • We must communicate what we do and what we CAN do better. Not just nationally and locally, but in every interaction — with children, parents, and teachers. Let’s make our role visible and accessible for all. • Stay curious and learn from others. We don’t know what we don’t know. We need to listen to our local communities, and their lived experiences. • Evidence our impact. From micro-moments to case studies, qualitative and quantitative research — we need to be better at capturing and sharing the difference we make. Especially in times of policy change. I left feeling more connected, more hopeful, and more determined. What will I do next? Focus on how I communicate the EP role to the communities I work with — not just what I do, but what’s possible. And be involved in conversations across the workforce. Today reminded me that renewal starts with intention, and hope grows when we share it, nurture it, and act on it together. #educationalpsychology #handelsmanpsychology #EPCommunity #EPWorkforce

It’s time now for psychologists to focus on the redesign of our education pathways. The profession needs to lead the profession. The Psychology Board of Australia's Higher Degree Redesign Project is underway to create a shorter, more practical higher education path. This survey is our opportunity to guide that change and ensure it meets the needs of future psychologists and the communities we serve.

The Psychology Board of Australia has formally announced the Higher Degree Redesign Project, an initiative that will explore options to redesign the psychology higher education pathway and work toward creating a single, shorter, more practical course of study. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in an initial survey to support the Board in understanding the current training context and opportunities for change. Webinars for key interest groups will be hosted throughout October to further support participation. 🔗 Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/gFX83zPk

We know that professional development in the field of clinical psychology doesn’t stop being hard after university. Ad we know that running a private practice by yourself and be isolating. That’s why we created the Aperture Psychology Group Clinical Supervision Program. Led by award-winning mentor Peter Walker and working in small cohorts of max. 3 participants, this program is designed to support you in the real-world challenges of practice: ▶ Doubt around complex presentations ▶ Ethical grey areas ▶ Burnout risk ▶ Isolation in private practice ▶ Wanting to grow, but not sure where to stretch next ▶ Opportunities to develop new competencies and skills in a new treatment modality or presentation This isn’t checkbox professional development. It’s a deliberately designed space for clinicians who want something deeper: a place to be challenged thoughtfully, held to high standards, and met with kindness. A candid forum where you can grow, reflect, and find energy in the company of peers. Our next cohort is starting soon. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, you can find out more here:  https://lnkd.in/gwYs9_4N

Questions of power in therapy are often missed in training and CPD. However, they are inherently linked to much of the work we do. We are prepared to deal with power and harm in interpersonal dynamics, but our profession often doesn't include structural and social perspectives. This needs to change. We need to be talking more about Power and it's effects on people's mental and emotional wellbeing both at an interpersonal and structural level. For that, we also need to attend to the power imbalances within therapeutic relationships themselves. They are a given, so we can either work WITH that, or deny our power as therapists and let the field become fertile ground for harm. I am convinced this conversation needs to be openned now, and it can lead to more ethical and safer practices.