Whatsoever thy hand attaineth to do by thy strength, that do; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV

In the last treatise as Society of Zambezi Psychology (SZP) we wrote a step by step approach on how one can successfully register to practice as a psychologist. We do hope persons found the document helpful. In this document we attempt to help persons on how to approach set targets within the internship process so that it does not sound more as a lone journey and persons successfully submit their competent files(p16 2021 Psychology Regulations) within the required announced time. In this regard we urge aspiring psychologists that during this period they practice self-care. Some self-care tips have been written by a local psychologist and Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (AHPCZ) Vice Chairperson Dr Herbert Zirima in the Newsday article on the guest column of 28 July 2021 p9.

The Initial stage to completing psychological internship in Zimbabwe requires one to under study their given syllabus. This is a very important step as it helps the intern psychologist to fully comprehend the demands of the internship. It also helps in breaking the work into small and easy tasks which an intern can start to work on. My strongest advice is that don’t procrastinate. The work of a psychologist involves a lot of documentation and whatever time you get, write something. It will help greatly if one is to have a diary which one can carry so that at any given space of time you can note something which you will include in your file.

In line with one’s internship syllabus it helps if one is to write a case per week, you will discover that in 10 weeks of being consistent you would have done at least 10 cases, it’s called the law of cumulative effort. These cases are almost over half of what is required in most internship syllabuses. Literally it means over half of the work is done just in ten weeks. Using such a modus operandi will allow the intern psychologist much time to revise and review their file which will definitely have a net effect on the quality of the content within their files. The intern psychologist can also make good of their time by looking at some of the documents which would need to be included in the file but not necessary mentioned in their syllabus. These documents may include but not limited to CV documents, academic certificates, and professional membership certification among others. In the first week of internship while the intern psychologist is understudying their syllabus he/she can open a folder where one can put these documents together in preparation for the electronic submission of the file. Yes in the first week, we say this because the overall goal for internship is to submit a competent file after a year. One can be transferred into the main register as a psychologist if one is found competent. Remember as always do not procrastinate. These small wins are very important in successful file completion and submission.

While you are building your file it’s very important to network and consult bearing in mind that at any point your supervisor has the overall view before approval of your work. When consulting with peers and even others who have successfully completed their files or psychologists bear in mind that while they have their views, the file is yours. The views and contribution should be genuinely yours but meeting the required competence for psychological practice. SZP believe that in a multitude of counsel one stands to have a better file.

While online submission is a splendid Idea it has its downside, and the downside involves computer crushing, theft among other ills. We recommend that during internship the intern psychologist makes use of cloud savers and other external devices to save their file material which they can easily access if internship files from the computer are corrupted or get affected with malware. Again, we say do not procrastinate, be prompt.

The internship practice involves a lot of reading and the intern psychologist has to be knowledgeable in various issues of psychological science. Knowledge in psychological ethics, theories, models and measurement should be shown. The work of a psychologist is bound by the ethical obligation to be competent. The internship file and board examination interview should show that the intern psychologist is competent to practice in the field of psychology.

Society of Zambezi Psychology supports the processes of internship file and board examination as it ensures that there is competent practice. The process also helps to curb issues of iatrogenic injury to users of psychological services.

Prosper K Mushauri

Counselling Psychologist

Society of Zambezi Psychology