What is a Chartered Psychologist?  

The number of people calling themselves psychologists and offering psychological services is on the increase. Some of these people have no recognised qualifications and are not answerable to any recognised professional body.

The title 'Chartered Psychologist' is legally recognised and before admission individuals must:

• have a recognised first degree in Psychology
• have recognised postgraduate qualifications, or
• have undergone approved postgraduate training and supervision
• have been judged 'fit to practise' independently, and
• have agreed to follow a strict Code of Conduct and be answerable to a disciplinary system, in which non-psychologists form the majority.

Chartered Occupational Psychologists are concerned with the performance of people at work and in training, with developing an understanding of how organisations function and how individuals and groups behave at work. Their aim is to increase effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction at work. The services of occupational psychologists are in increasing demand. Organisations are deeply concerned about the need to recruit, retain and realise the potential of their human resources on which success depends. Occupational psychologists are the best qualified group to advise on human resource strategies and solutions. They are the only professional group to have a minimum of six years degree and postgraduate training specifically on how people behave individually and in organisations. To qualify as a Chartered Psychologist it is essential to have a first degree in general or occupational psychology, and either a Masters degree, other postgraduate qualification or intensive practical training under the supervision of an existing Chartered Occupational Psychologist. Chartered Occupational Psychologists have the knowledge and skills to help organisations determine and implement the successful human resources strategies which will give them a competitive edge.

Denise adheres to the BPS code of ethics and is committed to continuous professional development (CPD).

The expertise of a Chartered Occupational Psychologist lies in identifying and realising the full potential of people and creating effective organisations. No listing of the fields of occupational psychology is ever perfect or complete, as any area where psychology can contribute to the understanding and assistance of human beings at work (and increasingly on the borderlines before and after work, and between work and leisure) may raise the need for investigation, or may find an application for some advance in the wider field of psychology. Occupational psychologists achieve their objectives by: ·

• identifying abilities and potential - through using tests and job-relevant exercises at selection, and in career counselling
• motivating people - in designing payment and reward systems, and advising on health and safety issues
• assessing performance both on and off the job - in designing appraisal systems, advising on stress management, and in designing machines and computer systems that are easy to use
• helping people and organisations adapt to change - examining the effects of unemployment, advising on how to change attitudes and behaviours to improve customer service
• designing effective organisations - advising on the best type of management systems, identifying effective human resources strategies, and designing jobs to fit peoples' skills.

Occupational psychologists can appear under many different guises; 'organisational psychology', 'ergonomics', 'applied psychology', 'industrial psychology', 'personnel management', 'time and stress management' and 'management consultancy'. However, the majority of occupational psychologists work as general problem-solvers or facilitators across broad areas - such as organisational consultancy; or assessment and training; or ergonomics, health and safety.