The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) officially sent off students from Batch IV and Batch V of the Professional Psychology Study Program to undertake the General Psychologist Professional Psychology Services (Layanan Psikologi Profesi Psikolog Umum or LPPPU) on Thursday (20/8). Before providing psychological services in the community, the students received briefings on child protection and alternative psychological interventions.
Attended by 82 students, the send-off marked the beginning of the LPPPU stage and an important step for the students to apply their knowledge, fulfil their professional roles, and provide psychological services to the public.
In addition to the send-off ceremony, the event featured two briefing sessions on child protection and alternative psychological interventions. These sessions were designed to prepare students to respond to the diverse needs of the communities they would serve.
Dian Sasmita, M.H., Commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), explained that psychologists play an important role at various levels of the child protection system, from prevention to case management and victim recovery.
“Children’s greatest fear when reporting violence in digital spaces is the stigma they may face from their families, communities, and schoolmates,” said Dian.
According to Dian, fear and concern about how others might respond often discourage children from reporting the violence they have experienced. This highlights the importance of psychologists in creating safe spaces, helping children communicate their experiences, and supporting their recovery without judgement.
The following session was delivered by Prof. Dra. Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti, M.Med.Sc., M.B.A., Ph.D., Psychologist, affectionately known as Bo. She introduced visual and sensory imagery as an alternative brief intervention in psychological services.
“You are the anchors who will shape and strengthen the image of psychologists in the field,” said Bo.
The session also emphasised the importance of selecting intervention approaches that take each individual’s condition, readiness, and needs into account.
Following the brief sessions, the event continues with the official send-off ceremony. Pradytia Putri Pertiwi, S.Psi., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at the UGM Faculty of Psychology, formally sent off the LPPPU students from Batches IV and V.
“This LPPPU program will prepare you more comprehensively to become professionals worthy of being called psychologists,” Dytia said.
The send-off for LPPPU Batches IV and V was more than an academic ceremony. It marked the beginning of the students’ responsibility to apply their psychological knowledge and skills in the community. Through the briefings, the students are expected to provide psychological services that are competent, ethical, and responsive to the challenges faced by society.
Writer: Arrasya Aninggadhira
Editor: Erna Tri Nofiyana