PSYCHOLOGY ORAL EXAM & BEYOND ...

By Dr. Evelyn Jagpat  (Dr. Eve)

How should I respond if I do not know the answer to a question during my Psychology Oral Exam?

The most common fear among Psychology Oral Exam candidates is the dread that they will be asked a question which they do not know the answer to.  This fear is heightened by the fact that an incorrect or deficient response may result in an automatic failure.  My best advice is to release the fear .  Remember, it is mostly fueled by anxiety.  So how do you approach such a situation?  Here are some suggestions: Continue Reading »

By Dr. Evelyn Jagpat

How do I best use the time given to review the clinical vignette during my Psychology Oral Exam?

During your psychology oral exam you will be given about 10 minutes to review the clinical case.  Although you may feel like this is not much time, in reality, 10 minutes is more than sufficient if used wisely.  You will likely feel rushed and may be tempted to not use the full time allotted.  Resist this urge. Let your examiners signal you when time is up.

• First and most importantly Continue Reading »

Evelyn Jagpat O’Halloran, Psy.D.

While this is an exciting time, preparing for and taking the Psychology Oral Exam may also evoke anxiety and fears.   This is very natural.  However, it can distract you from fully focusing on your goals and diminish your energy, motivation and concentration.  Therefore, before I share more study strategies, the first task at hand is to minimize anxiety and put things in perspective.  In accomplishing this, the best and most powerful tool in your arsenal is maintaining a positive attitude.  So, just how do you do this? Continue Reading »

Evelyn Jagpat O’Halloran, Psy.D.

Seems like the best advice I ever received from anyone about studying was quite simple and perhaps you have heard it as well, “Don’t study hard… Study smart!”  

This advice is most poignant when it comes to the Psychology Oral Exam.  Often, candidates feel lost about how to best prepare and seem to spend a considerable amount of time and energy using ineffective study methods.  This often results in them feeling overwhelmed,  exhausted and anxious.  What are the most common reasons candidates underperform or fail?  Simply, poor preparation and nerves.

Poor preparation most often relates to a non-targeted and inefficient study method which does not take into consideration what the real exam experience will be like and what it will be assessing.

Here a few pointers which you may find helpful in your Psychology Oral Exam preparation. Continue Reading »

by Evelyn Jagpat O’Halloran, Psy.D.

In psychology, as in any profession or business, the key rule of entrepreneurship is to always stay informed about the laws and rules which regulate your professional practice.  This is especially important in professions and industries, regulated by licensing boards and state laws. 

Monitoring legislation & bills up for review is always a good idea.

Admittedly, it can be very difficult to budget the time to actually stay informed, given the multiple demands of professional and personal life and relationships.  Additionally, Texas laws and rules are always under review and subject to change.  What I have personally found helpful is joining a professional organization which actively follows issues related to the professional practice of psychology and provides avenues to keep members informed. 

For example, in Texas, TPA (Texas Psychological Association) serves such a function. It not only keeps members up to date regionally, but also provides information on the national front.  Further, it serves an advocacy function for all psychologists throughout Texas and actively lobbies to protect the rights and professional practice of psychologists.  It is also noteworthy to mention that TPA is a great source for fulfilling TSBEP professional development credits and for getting discounts on professional services.

It is also useful to regularly monitor the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists’ website, where you can download the most recent version of Act and Rules of the Board.  You can also read about new developments and requirements.  However, not all of the changes to State Law and the Board Rules will be listed here.  Many are not.  For monitoring house and senate bills which impact the laws which govern the practice of psychology, a great resource is LegiScan.com.

What’s New? Continue Reading »

The long and winding road….

Putting Things in Perspective

November 30, 2013

Evelyn Jagpat O’Halloran, Psy.D.

After the whirl-wind of graduate school, practicums, moving (for some across the country), internship, dissertation, post-doctoral training, demanding case loads, for many having to survive on little income, the EPPP and of course the many other events, changes and challenges of life, one can simply feel a bit exhausted.    If you are like most of the high achievers in our profession, you have likely not slowed down or invested much time in good self-care.  Therefore, for many, this final hurdle on the path to becoming a fully licensed psychologist may feel like having to cross the Great Wall of China hungry, weary and without shoes! Continue Reading »

10/17/2013  by Evelyn Jagpat O’Halloran  Psy.D.

I always welcome the change in seasons in central Texas.  One never quit knows what the weather will bring, except during summer, when “scorching hot” is irrepressibly in vogue.  This fall season came with two welcome features.  Continue Reading »