New exam in psychology

Neuruppin, 15 September 2022

30 psychology students at the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) were the first in Germany to take their final exam according to the new licensing regulations for psychotherapists from 12 to 15 September 2022. Candidates had to master five stations manned with simulation patients to demonstrate psychotherapeutic knowledge and skills and to pass an individual oral exam with questions on a previously conducted patient history interview. Each candidate was tested for a total of three hours. Twelve examiners and six simulation patients were involved in test procedures, attended and accompanied by representatives of the Brandenburg and Saxony examination offices and the IMPP (central institute for medical and pharmaceutical examinations).

Prof. Johannes Lindenmeyer played a major part in introducing the new courses at the MHB and organizing the exams. He is proud to note that the MHB is the first medical school nationwide to have trained students in compliance with new licensing regulations and to conduct the highly challenging exam procedures: “MHB students have gained hands-on experience over many weeks at our university clinics in Ruppin-Brandenburg and Rüdersdorf and the salus klinik Lindow. We are confident that in their future careers as psychotherapists they will make valuable contributions to the care of psychiatric patients.”

Prof. Lindenmeyer was much impressed by students’ exam performance and grateful to the representatives of the Brandenburg examination office for the excellent collaboration – significant pioneering work for the future benefit of all other German states, so Lindenmeyer.

Exam results are expected to be announced in October.

Background:

Entering into force in 2020, the new law on revised psychotherapy training has notably improved conditions for the qualification as a psychotherapist.

The license to practice psychotherapy is now acquired via a five-year course of studies the contents of which are defined in licensing regulations. Successful graduation from the Bachelor course and the subsequent Master course conveys the license to practice psychotherapy. What follows is a full-time specialization as a “psychotherapist in advanced training” over at least five years in permanent salaried employment.

MHB in a pioneering role: Psychotherapy studies in accordance with licensing regulations

In 2020 the MHB was the first German university to offer both the Bachelor course in psychology and the Master course in “Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy” in accordance with amended licensing regulations.

Right from its foundation, the MHB has been cooperating with three hospitals where all psychology students, supervised by qualified psychotherapists, are actively involved in therapeutic patient treatment. The schedule provides for several clinic days per week throughout semesters including the lecture-free periods, which ensures a systematic integration of theoretical knowledge and practical training.

Close to practice

Clinical therapy work is an important element of studies from the first semester. The MHB is the only medical school in Germany to offer Clinic Days where students can acquire pertinent competences in close contact with patients and hospital staff and gain important experience for their professional future. Small learning groups, the innovative format of POL and regular, professionally supervised TRIK seminars are further teaching elements which foster practice orientation.

Internship positions guaranteed

Internship positions in clinics are increasingly hard to find for students at other medical schools and hotly fought over. MHB students have no worries in this respect because the MHB organizes trainee placements for all its students for the so called vocationally qualifying activities.

Learning about all major psychotherapy models

Psychodynamic therapy, behavioural therapy and systemic therapy are each represented at the MHB with a professorship. This facilitates the choice of a focus for advanced training.

Transition from “old Bachelor” to “new Master”

Psychology students from other universities where psychology programmes do not conform to new licensing regulations or where the number of study places and internship positions available to Master students is not sufficient may change over to the MHB and directly benefit from the advantages of the revised psychotherapy training.

Verified quality

The MHB Bachelor course “Psychology” (B.Sc.) and the Master course “Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy” (M.SC.) both conform to the new licensing regulations and were evaluated and successfully accredited by AHPGS (accreditation agency) as early as January 2022.

For more information see here.