Are there areas in psychology that are not a good fit for me?

This is an important question to consider. In the USA, there are numerous registration categories for psychologists, which are based on their training and professional development. In contrast, Australia has fewer categories. While a clinical psychologist can, in theory, treat a wide range of clients, this is not always feasible in practice.

I have received training in many areas of psychology, but due to work requirements, I have not had the opportunity to gain experience in all of them. For instance, both my MA and PhD degrees focused on child psychology and court-based custody assessments, but that experience was more than 20 years ago. On the other hand, I have gained knowledge and experience in areas that better suit my current practice.

Because of this, there are several areas where I advise clients to seek alternatives:

·         Infant and child psychology (up to 16 years old): While I have some knowledge and outdated experience in this area, my current experience is limited.

·         LGBTQIA+ population: I have a strong compassion for this community, but my knowledge does not include treatment-based experience.

·         ADHD/ASD/AuDHD assessments for adults: I am trained to conduct assessments for clients aged 18 and older. I’m not able to accept referrals for younger clients.

When it comes to ASD assessments for adults, I focus specifically on verbally intact clients.

·         Sexology: I am not trained in this delicate area and encourage my clients to seek an experienced psychologist who specialises in this field.

By recognising these limitations, I can better guide clients to the appropriate resources and support.