What inspired you? What drew you to Community Psychology?

I first learned about Community Psychology when attending an inspiring workshop at the British Psychological Society’s 2010 Annual Conference in Stratford upon Avon, which was delivered by Jim Orford (University of Birmingham), Jacqueline Akhurst (York St. John University), Jan Bostock (Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Trust) and Annie Mitchell (Plymouth University).

At that event, there were also practitioners and researchers who talked about their experiences of using a Community Psychology-oriented approach to their work.  It became apparent that, the more I listened to these stories of Community Psychology in action, the more I realised that I was ‘doing’ some elements of Community Psychology without knowing it.  This was an epiphany-like moment as I realised that there were other psychologists who were working on psychological and social problems with a non-individualised perspective that  campaigned against the medicalisation of mental health (and other) problems.  I also recognised that there was much I could learn from those who shared a similar philosophy of wanting to work with people in ways that could be empowering and transformative. 

From then on, I saw that being a Community Psychologist and doing Community Psychology could help to make a difference to people’s lives.  I have now found much collegiality and support among like-minded people who also want to make a difference.  This has been a turning point for me and, from that point on, I have been keen to let as many people as possible know about this discipline and how Community Psychology principles and practices can be used to: enable rather than disable, deconstruct rather than let social constructions be reified, and enlighten when at times there might be a great deal of confusion. 

How about you? 

What brought you to Community Psychology?

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Hi Glenn

I am really interested in your questions about what brings people to community psychology and can certainly relate to an ‘epiphany-like moment’ when I first was introduced to these ideas.  I am a trainee clinical psychologist at Salomons, Canterbury Christ Church University, and am conducting a research project to find out how clinical psychologists develop an interest in critical community psychology (CCP).  I hope you don't mind my piggybacking your post to advertise it.

I appreciate that one of the things that makes CCP distinctive is that its contributors come from various backgrounds.  For the purposes of meeting the requirements of my training I need to recruit clinical psychologists - I hope people will forgive me for this.

The research involves completing a short online questionnaire regarding interest in CCP (when piloted it took an average of 15 minutes to complete).  Following this, participants have the option of volunteering to take part in a telephone interview at a time convenient for them. I have uploaded an information sheet regarding the study.  After reading the information sheet should any clinical psychologists wish to take part please follow the link below to the online platform Bristol Online Survey where you can access a consent form and the questionnaire:

https://survey.canterbury.ac.uk/js-ccp​ 

I would very much appreciate it if people would like to signpost this to friends, family, colleagues (who are clinical psychologists) who might be interested in taking part.

Many thanks for reading my post. Please contact me on j.r.stuart719@canterbury.ac.uk with any comments or questions.

In addition to conducting my research I look forward to reading any further posts on this discussion.

Kind regards

Jenny 

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Thank you very much Glenn for opening this conversation. 

In 2006 I started a spiritual journey with the Jesuits. Many experiences unfolded since my first encounter with them. I was impressed with their perspective of the world and God’s work within. From the experiences with the Jesuits I started to realize that the many things that are wrong in our world have to do with our own actions and social structures. Moreover I realized that we can correct them, and I developed a strong desire to do so, although I didn’t know how to or where to start.

As I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2011, I decided to do a retreat to find out. I was initially interested in doing a master’s degree in Social Psychology, Sociology or Social Work…but something kept moving me to keep looking…that’s how I started to explore the Community Psychology field. I rented a book: Community Psychology, Linking Individuals and Communities, from Dalton, Elias and Wandersman and started the journey. I was immediately identified with the values of the field, especially Social Justice, and was impressed that a field would declare from start a set of values that guide its actions.

From there I joined the Society for Community Research and Action, where I found the Practice Council and a group of extraordinary people committed to the betterment of communities and society.  It’s been a great journey, and it’s just starting, as I plan on applying for a Master’s degree in Community Psychology now :)

Thanks for this great site and the individuals contributing to its development :)

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