Hi Everyone,
My name is Kymbriona Taylor, and I am a fourth year PhD candidate from the University of Missouri. First, I want to express gratitude to serve as the student voice in Division 31 governance. I am passionate about advocacy related to not only our clients but also to trainees, especially those with marginalized identities. To be able to effectively represent students during my tenure, I would like to collaborate with student leaders to identify the things that are important to us. An initiative I plan to focus on is to amplify students’ voices through the development and dissemination of a needs survey to identify what we would like to receive from our respective SPTAs, as well as topics that it may be helpful to receive more information about (e.g., EPPP, advocacy, multicultural issues). Depending on the nature or your program and/or training sites, preparedness to address multicultural topics and issues may be limited so I think this is where we can turn to our SPTAs for support and guidance. It is my hope that this survey will allow us to host events that are relevant to students’ professional development needs and facilitate dialogue regarding the political, social, and multicultural issues that impact our work with clients.
In addition to considering what we need to best serve our clients, I invite us to focus on our personal needs as students as well. In the whirlwind of academia, it's easy to overlook the very foundation of our studies: ourselves. As aspiring mental health professionals, our dedication to understanding the complexities of our clients’ concerns may cause us to neglect our own well- being. However, it's crucial to remember that self-care isn't a luxury; it's a necessity, especially in our field. Engaging in regular self-care practices isn't just about bubble baths and yoga sessions (though those can certainly be part of it). It's about cultivating habits that nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits, ensuring we have the resilience to navigate the challenges inherent in our work. Whether it's setting boundaries, seeking support from peers and mentors, or carving out time for hobbies and relaxation, prioritizing self-care isn't selfish—it's essential.
By making self-care a priority, we not only safeguard our own well-being but also become better equipped to serve others. When we're mentally and emotionally replenished, we're able to approach our studies and future profession with clarity, compassion, and vitality. So, let's commit to prioritizing self-care as an integral part of our journey toward becoming competent and compassionate mental health professionals. Whether your spring break has passed, you’re currently there, or it’s on the horizon, these sentiments remain the same. Please be on the lookout for future events to create community and collective healing amongst students in Division 31.
If you have any interest in being a part of cultivating these spaces, please feel free to contact me.
Wishing you all moments of rest, rejuvenation, and resilience,
Kymbriona
P.S. - Congratulations to the wonderful students who will be heading to internship in the summer/fall. Here are a couple of resources that students can look into for financial support during their transition:
- National Register of Health Service Psychologists offers an internship travel scholarship for psychology doctoral students that are relocating. The deadline to apply is April 10, 2024.
- @PsychGradWishlist can be found on Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter). It is an online mutual-aid movement to assist incoming psychology interns and graduating trainees of color with their moving expenses.