The financial benefits include:
The professional benefits include:
The social benefits include:
Overall, however, IPPP membership supports the work undertaken on behalf of the profession that is vital to sustaining viable private practise in this state. In fact, this can be seen as a primary reason for joining, over and above the other benefits noted above. For example, liaison and negotiation with the WorkCover Corporation about fees and practise guidelines, liaison with private health insurers, writing Psychology Board of Australia paper submissions and liaison with the National Board, etc. The IPPP has made a significant impact/contribution in these areas in its 31 years of operation.
Membership is renewed annually at the AGM in the last quarter.
OPEN LETTER FROM Dr DENISE KEENAN (President of the IPPP since 2009)
Dear Psychologist
Re: Have you thought about your future in private practice?
Why not join the Institute of Private Practising Psychologists (IPPP)?
The Institute of Private Practising Psychologists Inc (IPPP) has been representing psychologists in private practice in South Australia since 1981.
We are not in competition to the many other professional organisations that vie for your attention, time and money; rather we fill a specific niche. No other body has specifically worked only with, and for, psychologists in private practice and done so for 30 years. The IPPP has seen, contributed to, and indeed, been at the forefront of much important change within our profession in this time.
We don’t offer ‘bells and whistles’; we are too small to do this, and our focus is not about that. However, what we do offer cannot be bought; that is collegiate friendship, support, advice and experience. Who do you want to turn to when choosing a new practice management system? Who would you like to give you support and advice about what to do when you receive a complaint? Who is likely to have suggestions for how to design forms and handouts for your clients? Who is likely to give you practical tips about how to run a small business as a psychologist? The answer is simple: most would say that talking to a fellow psychologist who has many years hands-on experience of doing these things is probably a good start, and that’s where the IPPP comes in.
The IPPP also offers professional development activities that are focused on running a small business and providing ‘best practice’ in what you offer to your clients. We see what we do as an important adjunct to what is often a more academic focus to professional development. We offer the ‘how to’ sessions.
Further, the IPPP is a first line contact with those bodies that affect your ‘hip pocket’ on a daily basis. For many years we have worked hard in negotiating the gazetted workers compensation fee. In more recent years, we have been joined by the APS in undertaking this important task on a collegiate basis, and a satisfying working alliance has developed. I note that many of us are APS members and there is no conflict in joining both organisations.
There has been an influx of psychologists entering private practice, many on a part-time basis, since the advent of Medicare funding for psychological services. This has been a benefit for the community and a financial boon for some psychologists. The seemingly endless referrals may continue to be the case, but what if it is not? What if you don’t want to rely on Medicare? What if you offer services other than with a mental health focus? Perhaps you work in sports psychology, or organisational psychology, for example. The IPPP has always taken a long term and all-encompassing view of our diverse profession and we would like to help you do this too, whatever field you apply your psychological knowledge within. There is increasing competition and regulation in the provision of psychological services. Come and join us and discuss, plan and act, to help shape the way your private practice will develop and operate into the future. Make sure your practice has a future! Private practice should provide high standard psychological services to the Australian public. It should also be satisfying to the practitioner, especially on financial and intellectual levels.
We welcome guests at any dinner meeting and members of the Executive Committee would be pleased to chat about who we are, what we do, and what we have to offer you. If you are interested in joining, please complete and send in the membership form that you can find at the top of this page, alternatively I would be pleased to take a call from you at any time (8373 2688).
The IPPP looks forward to welcoming you as a new member.
Kind regards
Dr Denise Keenan President, IPPP; On behalf of the Executive Committee and membership of the IPPP
Membership is maintained through an annual membership subscription fee, which is due on the date of the Annual General Meeting.
