South African Clinical Psychology Trainees’ Experiences of Their Internship Year

Abstract

The current research arose from a particular interest in the subjective experiences of intern clinical psychologists with regard to their internship year. The study's primary aim was to investigate challenges that clinical psychology trainees experience during this period of their training, in this instance, the focus of the study was on South African clinical psychology interns. The study also aimed to assess what might ameliorate difficulties and contribute to positive experiences. The study was located within the qualitative research tradition. Eleven participants who had very recently completed their internships were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule, and the transcribed data from the interviews were subjected to a thematic analysis. Ten themes were identified and divided into three areas: areas of challenges or difficulties, areas of benefits, learning, and growth, and areas of coping resources and advice, each containing further sub-themes. All participants highlighted negative experiences during the internship year and described having experienced significant difficulties in various areas of their training. The findings suggest that limited prior exposure to aspects of the internship setting, such as working within a hierarchically structured, multidisciplinary team and encountering patients with severe psychiatric pathology led to adjustment difficulties, role ambiguity and feelings of incompetence. The findings also suggest that supervision relationships were salient in shaping interns’ experiences and that perceived misuse of power by supervisors exacerbated the challenges they faced. Of concern was that all participants reported mental or physical health problems that arose during this year of their training. Despite dominant reports of negative experiences, the participants also benefited from the intensive learning they engaged in which led to experiences of professional and personal growth. All participants demonstrated the ability for resilience, endurance, and perseverance, and felt that the year had cultivated these qualities within them in responding to hardships. Some discussion of coping resources is offered, as well as some recommendations for supporting intern clinical psychologists to have more harmonious internship experiences.