An Exploration of Complementary Medicine in Psychology Practice
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2024
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๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ: Many people with mental health problems utilise a range of complementary medicine (CM). Psychologists are likely to consult with clients who use CM, in some form, as part of their wider mental health treatment. This thesis examines the extent and ways in which psychology, as a health care discipline, and psychologists in clinical practice, engage with CM.
๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฑ๐: Documents relating to the governance or guidance of psychologistsโ clinical practice (e.g., ethical guidelines) from Australian professional associations and regulatory bodies, were analysed for reference to CM. Survey data was also collected and analysed from 202 Australian psychologists exploring aspects of CM engagement in their clinical practice. Finally, a thematic analysis was applied to interview data from 19 Australian psychologists to understand their perceptions and experiences of CM in their clinical practice.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐น๐๐: Despite the absence of any reference to CM in policy and guidelines for Australian psychologists, they are indeed engaging with CM in various ways including discussing CM with clients, recommending CM to clients, and referring to CM practitioners Psychologist engagement with CM in their clinical practice can be understood, in part, in terms of number of wider developments: as one means by which psychologists can attempt to be client-centred; as a response to client preferences; and as part of an exploration for a diversity of therapeutic approaches and tools which can to be utilised in clinical practice.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐: Substantial numbers of psychologists engage with CM as part of their clinical practice and perceive such engagement as positively relating to wider demands and trends facing their profession. The findings from this thesis suggest the engagement with CM amongst psychologists in clinical practice is a significant issue that will require further consideration by the wider profession with regards policy, research, and education developments.
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