Field attachment introduction;
Field attachment course (SPY 323), is a third year second semester unit and accredited to fourth year of
study, running a period of 8 weeks. Field attachment is a skills-based core course designed to enable the
student to get exposure to real practical experiences in the world of work of the material they mastered
at previous level of study. It enables the student to apply theoretical knowledge from university into
practice through many activities they are assigned to do. Students can showcase acquired skills and
knowledge and gain employment experiences and discipline. Students participate in the daily activities
of host organization under supervision of qualified personnel, keeping records of their daily activities,
observations and comments in a logbook which is certified by the supervisors. Academic staff of the
department visit students at their places of attachment and they assess the logbook entries, consult
institutional supervisors and guide students as required. The agency supervisors in attachment agency
provide confidential reports regarding students work discipline, performance, work ethics, integrity and
organizational skills. Students are evaluated by the agency supervisors on preparation, practical
performance, professional growth, work habits, interpersonal relations and personality during
attachment period.
I am an undergraduate student from the department of psychology, I started the attachment on 20th
May 2024 and ended on 12th July 2024, a period of 8 weeks at Prisons Staff Training College Health
Centre (P.S.T.C H/Centre) and Ruiru Medication Assisted Therapy (Ruiru MAT P.S.T.C) in Prisons Staff
Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
Field Attachment Objectives
Course Objectives;
To integrate theory and sociological issues to real practical experiences in the world of work.
To gain experiences of work discipline and develop abilities of skills and discipline in the
workplace.
Personal Objectives;
o To gain intensive clinical and work experience in the health facility by learning from the staff
members and supervisors, hence developing work habits.
o To integrate theoretical understanding with practical knowledge of specific assessment and
treatment approaches, i.e., to enhance competence in evidence-based assessment and
treatment and their integration into clinical practice.
o To be able to build rapport and relationship with the client in order to enable construct change
to the client.
o To know how to apply different professional interventions depending on a client, i.e., methods,
techniques and approaches.
o To be able to come up with development and remedial goals for a client. Developmental goals;
strive for client's positive change by helping them accept themselves at every phase in life or
change occurring. Remedial goals; focus on psychological wellness and positive mental health by
helping client make informed choices to cope with challenges they face, i.e., equip one to not be
crushed with an issue.
o To be flexible, imaginative and creative during difficult moments in a session with a client,
treating it as a learning experience.
o To be able to describe, explain, predict future behavior, change and modify behavior of a client,
so as to make positive/ constructive/ meaningful/ lasting changes in the lives of the clients. To
influence behavior for the better and change bad behavior to meaningful behavior.
o To be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of the current APA Ethical Principles of
Psychologists and Code of Conduct, so as to properly be able to address ethical dilemma with
support from the supervisor.
o To be able to communicate effectively with staff members by being ready to communicate and
adjust behavior and perspective.
o To help the client identify, recognize and manage negative thoughts and help them understand
that their thoughts impact their behaviors.
o To develop professional growth in terms of professional thinking, behavior, commitment and
analytical ability during the attachment period and demonstrate competence in professional
values, attitudes and behavior.
o To be able to write a comprehensive report at the end of the attachment period.
