My thoughts on preparing for rural psychology practice:
1. Must be broad generalist with skills in working with several different
populations, including those with chronic mental illness, individuals with
mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and adults of all ages
with disabilities. Kids in school systems. Relationship with
law-enforcement and indivdiuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
Probably requires a strong foundation in behavioral psychology.
2. Need to understand the structures and functioning of small
communities. Should have training in community psychology that emphasizes
strategies for community development. This means knowledge and skills in
focus on the environmental factors that present barriers to human
development. Understanding of advocacy and the role psychology might play
in community advocacy and the development of agency and state policies.
3. Program evaluation and grant writing.
4. Administrative skills, including understanding of financial
management.
5. Skilled on organizational consultation and group facilitation.
6. Understanding of trends in community health promotion and wellness.
7. Understanding of the broad network of human service providers that may
provide services in rural areas but which may also be absent. Understanding
how avaialbe agencies and providers can fill gaps. Knowledge of legal
requirements to provide services and boundaries that may limit organizations
from doing so. For example, what is vocational rehabiolitation and what is
it role in supporting people with disabilities including mental illness?
Are they required to do so? Even in rural areas? What services are
available? Etc.
Just a few thoughts.
Tom Seekins
RTC:Rural
Univeristy of Montana
Have a great recruitment tape for those considering midwest or west mental health practice, by Peter Beeson.
Education - the entire pipeline