Psychology Professor Sue Franz shares an Intro Psych activity that gets students involved in learning "how to choose a psychologist." This is a blog post that shares detailed instructions for an assignment that is based on APA's "How to Choose a Psychologist" web page: www.apa.org/helpcenter/choose-therapist.aspx.
Type of Material:
Assignment
Recommended Uses:
The instructions include suggestions for using this activity in "jigsaw classroom" fashion where students work together to address each section of the exercise.
The activity also could be used in online courses where it might be adapted for use as an individual assignment.
Technical Requirements:
Students will need access to the internet, using any web browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Students will understand how to find a psychotherapist and assess for fit and quality.
Students will understand what questions should be asked when deciding on therapy and selecting a psychologist.
Target Student Population:
College General Ed
While the assignment is designed for an Introduction to Psychology course as part of general education, it also could be adapted for social work, nursing, and other professional programs that refer individuals to counseling services.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Students need to know how to conduct basic internet searches and understand how to assess online sources.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
There is sufficient information for an instructor to include the assignment in a course or even adapt. The assignment includes all needed aspects, including examples of how to address/research each of the questions on how to find a psychologist (e.g., issues that lead one to therapy, credentials of therapists, finances, and what one can expect during and after therapy).
The author also provides a recommendation for students who might need help or who are interested in volunteering.
Concerns:
Instructors may wish to augment the activity by providing readings or media for students who wish to learn more about the subject.
It might also be beneficial to define the term "jigsaw classroom" (which appears in the instructions) as not all faculty will be familiar with the term.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This assignment uses real world materials from the American Psychological Association (APA) and connects students to content outside of the classroom or textbook.
The APA site presents useful background information while the assignment directs students to explore specific questions about how to choose a psychologist (i.e., practical application).
The assignment includes information on the Crisis Text Line for the US, UK, and Canada.
The assignment can be adapted in many ways to fit a variety of classroom types and content areas.
Concerns:
Instructors will want to develop specific learning objectives. Additionally, further readings or media--such as a first-person experience with finding a psychologist--would provide additional context about the challenges people experience when trying to find a therapist.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Links for information--such as insurance and APA's locator service-- are included in the assignment. All information associated with the assignment is easy to access, and all of the links are working.
Creative Commons:
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