ClassNotes Profiles
Vince Champion
After job hopping and being unemployed for a while, I decided at age 30 to return to school. As I hadn't completed year 12, I needed to do the TBop (pre-cursory to today's TEP course) bridging program. I was later very thankful I had completed that course prior to entering a higher Ed degree, as it prepared me brilliantly for what was to come. The skills I learned during that one
semester made the subsequent 6 years at uni more enjoyable, less stressful, and more successful (many thanks to Nicola Pritchard, if she is still about!). I would strongly recommend a bridging course to anyone who has not studied for
while.
I started an ABA in 1996, not knowing what I would major in. Completed it in 1999; majoring in Anthropology and a double in psychology. I then found work within a few months of completing my undergraduate with Top End Association for Mental Health (now known as TEAM Health), as a psychiatric rehab worker. What a relief it was to have a wage !! They were very supportive of me undertaking further studies, and with their support I completed my Psychology Honours in 2000.
Clinical staff at TEAM Health are fortunate to receive clinical supervision from a senior psychologist at the Health Dept's 'Top End Mental Health Services' (TEMHS). As such, it was easy for me to adapt that work supervision to the
formal 2-year supervision required to complete my registration as a psychologist with the NT Health Board. I completed my 2 years supervision and became a registered psychologist on 2003. I remained with TEAM Health for 4 years, and that provided me with a good grounding in mental health.
In late 2003 a position became available with TEMHS as a psychologist. I applied and was successful. I'm now the psychologist to the 'Adult Team' at TEHMS outpatient clinic at the Tamarind Centre. A job which I love, and which allows me to further develop my skills. I provide psychological intervention into a broad range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I also attend and provide clinical input into the psychiatric inpatient unit at the hospital. I plan on (one day) undertaking a Masters in psychology on an external basis to complete my registration with the APA.
