| This study is an exploration of the experience of urban trained psychologists in underserved rural practice. Rural areas present psychologists with a unique set of cultural, ethical, and professional challenges often not addressed in graduate training programs. While some psychologists are able to adapt and feel comfortable in the rural setting, others are unable to tolerate the transition and return to urban practice. As mental health workforce shortages are a major problem in rural areas, research which explores the experience of these psychologists may help to identify factors that could potentially improve retention as well as personal and professional factors which contribute to the psychologist feeling able to adapt to life and work in a rural community. Specifically, this study explores the preparation of urban trained psychologists for rural practice by their urban graduate programs and internship and the effect that this has had on overall experience and sense of preparation. The method of this study includes eight, semi-structured, qualitative interviews with urban trained psychologists to explore their experience in rural practice. The final section includes a discussion of themes generated from the data. |
