PSYCHOLOGY ORAL EXAM & BEYOND ...

Charting Your Course

Evelyn Jagpat, Psy.D.     09/17/2016

As you go forth on your path to passing your psychology oral exam, getting licensed and practicing independently, I wonder. As ultimate master of your own destiny, are you charting your course intentionally? Usually, it can feel like other people and institutions have been directing your professional journey thus far and in many ways, this is a reality. At this stage of your career, however, you have the wonderful opportunity to decide what you want your journey to look like and what your destination will be. In truth, plans can change or your destination can take on a different look than originally envisioned, however, that is just a reality of life in general. This does not make it any less necessary to be mindful about taking the reins of your career in your own hands.

So how do you get started or in most cases, how do you do that check in to see if you are on course and where you want to be, towards intentionally planning your professional future? Do this self-check. (more…)

It is my firm belief that psychologists are by nature very creative, despite jokes to the contrary about them being OCD.  Yes, and despite formal education, which strives to promote the one over the other (you may guess which is which here).  However, when answering questions during the Psychology Oral Exam which relate to practical application of matters of law, ethics, rules and codes of psychological practice…my best advise….dial back the creativity.

Instead Consider: (more…)

By: Dr. Evelyn Jagpat

Psychology Oral Exam Study Tips and Psychology Oral Exam Preparation:

In psychology, a good clinical case conceptualization should tell a story. Think about a character in a book or a film.  By definition, a conceptualization is a theoretically based understanding of a client, who she is and why she behaves as she does.  It contains a history of the client, which is theoretically based and also includes a formulation of the client’s problems (Berman, 1997).  In essence, a good conceptualization helps to generate a well-rounded, deeper and more richly layered understanding of who that character is.

Artist Asudev’s painting: Humanity Uprooted

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By Dr. Evelyn Jagpat

If the  day of your Psychology Oral Exam is approaching and you find you are nervous, don’t be shocked.  Nerves are par for the course.  It is quite natural for anyone in your situation to experience nerves, especially as the big day approaches.  Instead of denying your experience, or wishing it will simply go away naturally, you will find it is better to choose to manage it proactively instead.  Here are some pointers which will help you calm your Psychology Oral Exam nerves (more…)

By: Dr. Evelyn Jagpat

On The Road Again…

To move or not to move?  In reality, while you may envision yourself happily in the state you are in, your future may turn out quite differently than planned.  Of course, here come the magic questions…  “What do you envision for your future?  What are your dreams?  What path should you follow to get to where you want to be?”  Given, the future is not certain, it makes good sense for every career professional to consider the mobility question, “What is required for me to be able to practice psychology in another state or region?”  (more…)

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: (more…)

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 (more…)

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? (more…)

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. (more…)

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! (more…)