We started the year strong with a clear vision set by our past Chair, Dr. Christopher King, and new Chair, Dr. Stephanie Salo. The year truly kicked off during our annual in-person meeting. We were able to set in motion various projects that we wanted to accomplish. As projects from the prior year concluded, we also welcomed new Committee members. One of the ongoing strengths of the Committee is not only our ability to establish new products and resources, but also to recognize the importance of checking in and supporting each other along the way.
I have been on the The Trust SECP Committee since its inception, and one of the aspects that makes this a unique opportunity is being able to align with The Trust Board of Directors’ vision. Each Committee member has a unique professional background, including professionals who work in academia, law, private practice, in-patient settings, forensics, and more. Over the course of the year, our goal was to solidify a structure of what The Trust SECP Committee represents. One of the biggest projects has been the establishment of bylaws, policies and procedures. This structure not only provides future Committee members with a better understanding of our role within The Trust, but also will be a living and breathing document in many respects, so that it fosters the change we see within the profession and The Trust.
As our Committee is composed of Subcommittees, another project we set out to complete was various short informative videos. The scenarios presented bring to life common concerns brought by students and practitioners, many of whom are our policyholders. They also identify potential solutions. We focused on topics that included risk management, products and services. As the editing process takes place, the momentum of our Subcommittee persists.
Another focus we had was branding. When it comes to any committee or organization, it is essential to establish a brand that can set them apart. The Trust SECP Committee has been in the process of creating a personalized logo as part of our marketing initiative. Each detail that went into crafting the final product has been discussed and agreed upon by every Committee member. We are all excited to finalize the logo and hope to receive the final stamp of approval in the coming months!
One of the greatest developments, in the last quarter of The Trust Student and Early Career Psychologist Column the year, is The Trust SECP Committee’s partnership with Dr. Eddy Ameen. This collaboration will present a new and terrific mentorship program. As the details are refined, the anticipation of how this can reignite connection, support and potential network opportunities is exciting and what our field continues to need. Given that we all have had to adapt to new ways of providing services and networking, this particular initiative could not have come at a better time, where we can restore one of the elements embedded in the fabric of what it means to be a psychologist.
As students make the transition to early career professionals, one of the hurdles is becoming licensed. More specifically, boards require the Jurisprudence Exam. One of our great Subcommittees has been collaborating on ways to bring a collection of information and potential ways to tackle this exam. It is always important to make the licensure process more practical and manageable, while in the midst of finding employment and establishing ourselves as clinicians.
Lastly, as the Chair-Elect, I have taken time to observe and learn from our past and current Chairs so that I will be prepared to carry the torch next year. Many of the projects that we have completed and continue to produce have been because of the great leadership of Dr. Jana Martin, the SECP Chairs, and each of its members. Our primary goals are to continue to highlight various aspects of the profession, so that students can learn about the importance of things such as risk management, the reasons why students need liability insurance, how to start a practice, and much more. The Trust SECP Committee continues to thrive due to the commitment of its members and dedication to The Trust. This ensures that we can keep providing students and early career practitioners with a voice.
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About the Author
Dr. Princess Drake is a Mental Health Practitioner at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and Adjunct Assistant professor with the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate school of Addiction Studies. Dr. Drake completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Florida School of Professional Psychology (FSPP) at Argosy University in 2018. Dr. Drake completed her pre-doctoral internship at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, MN and is currently completing her licensure process. Dr. Drake earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from FSPP in 2015 and M.S. in Professional counseling at Lipscomb University in 2012. She currently serves as Chair-Elect for The Trust Student and Early Career Psychologist Committee. Her primary interests include co-occurring disorders, trauma, psychosis, diversity/identity issues, and personality disorders. Dr. Drake is dedicated to working with diverse populations and obtaining additional experience through leadership, mentoring, and academic training. She has previously served as the Florida Psychological Association (FPA) Board of Directors’ Student Representative and FPA Graduate Students (FPAGS) President, American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Campus Representative, and FSPP Student Psychological Association Mentor Coordinator.
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