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What are some things you expreince first hand in a hospital by just being a psychologist
What are some of the things you will see? what about cases you might deal with? how will you deal with them? How do i know this is right for me??
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Sikawayi’s Answer
Hello Leila, thank you for the question. While I'm not a psychologist yet I hope to be one right now I do the preliminary interview. In this capacity I do have an opportunity to see the clients interact with one another. Mostly these are families going through crisis, emotions tend to spill into the situation and make things worse. I have witness gunfire, fights between spouses, and also some very tender moments like the birth of a baby, or to be hired for a much-needed job. The truth is in a hospital setting one never knows what they're going to inquirer.
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Ben’s Answer
Leila, my wife is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who works at a hospital. I can speak, at a high level, on her behalf. There is a wide variety of opportunities in hospitals for psychologists. These range from general mental health to specialized areas, like health psychology. My wife has worked in health psychology (where she specialized in using CBD to treat chronic pain), general mental health (where she saw cases of depression, anxiety, chronic pain, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc., etc.), and even a bit of neuro-psychology (where she performed assessments to determine the level of brain damage people with neurological conditions/injuries had). To figure out what she liked best, she participated in several practicums during her doctorate, as well as a part-time job in a private practice, and then a 1-year internship (which is required to get your doctorate and psychologist license). It's a long road to become a psychologist... but you can really impact people's lives in a positive way. Good luck.
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Amani’s Answer
For the most part, working in a hospital can vary from where in the hospital you're working (i.e. ER or specific psychiatric ward) and your specialty. If you're working in the ER then you'll see a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders, from BPD to schizophrenia, depression, and others. If you work in a specific ward then it depends, from my experience, most psychiatric hospitals with an inpatient setting have two divisions within age groups, eating disorders and then everything else. If you work in the eating disorder ward, then all you will work with are eating disorders (Bulimia, OFSED, ARFID), and the other ward is similar to the ER in terms of diagnosis diversity. You will learn how to deal with patients mostly through hands-on experience as well as what you'll learn in undergrad and beyond. You can try volunteering at your local psychiatric hospital or work as a mental health assistant/tech to get a feel for the environment, which may be overwhelming at times.
James Constantine Frangos
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Leila!
Experiences of a Psychologist in a Hospital Setting
1. Overview of the Role of a Psychologist in a Hospital
As a psychologist working in a hospital, you will be involved in assessing and treating patients with various mental health issues. This role often requires collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers. The primary goal is to provide psychological support to patients dealing with acute or chronic medical conditions, mental health disorders, or emotional distress related to their health.
2. Common Experiences and Observations
In a hospital setting, psychologists encounter numerous situations that can be both challenging and rewarding:
Patient Assessments: You will conduct psychological evaluations to understand the mental state of patients. This may involve interviews, standardized tests, and observations.
Therapeutic Interventions: You will provide therapy sessions to help patients cope with their conditions. This could include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, or crisis intervention.
Multidisciplinary Team Meetings: Regular meetings with other healthcare professionals are essential for discussing patient care plans and ensuring comprehensive treatment approaches.
Crisis Situations: You may deal with emergencies such as suicidal ideation or severe anxiety attacks. Being prepared for these situations is crucial.
Documentation: Maintaining accurate records of assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes is an integral part of the job.
3. Types of Cases You Might Encounter
Psychologists in hospitals deal with a wide range of cases:
Acute Mental Health Issues: Patients experiencing severe depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, or substance abuse problems may require immediate psychological intervention.
Chronic Illness Management: Patients coping with chronic illnesses like cancer or diabetes often experience psychological distress that needs addressing.
Trauma Recovery: Many patients may have experienced trauma related to their medical condition or personal history that requires therapeutic support.
Pediatric Cases: Child psychologists working in hospitals may deal with children facing medical procedures or chronic illnesses affecting their emotional well-being.
4. Approaches to Dealing with Cases
Handling cases effectively involves several strategies:
Building Rapport: Establishing trust with patients is vital for effective therapy. Active listening and empathy are key components.
Tailored Treatment Plans: Each patient’s needs are unique; therefore, creating individualized treatment plans based on thorough assessments is essential.
Crisis Management Skills: Being trained in crisis intervention techniques allows psychologists to respond effectively when patients are in distress.
Collaboration: Working closely with other healthcare providers ensures that the psychological aspects of care are integrated into the overall treatment plan.
5. Determining if This Career is Right for You
To assess whether being a psychologist in a hospital setting aligns with your interests and skills:
Self-reflection on Interests: Consider your passion for helping others and your interest in mental health issues.
Educational Background: Ensure you have the necessary educational qualifications (typically a doctoral degree in psychology) and clinical training.
Internships/Volunteering Experience: Gaining firsthand experience through internships or volunteer work can provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of hospital psychologists.
Mentorship Opportunities: Seeking guidance from current professionals in the field can help clarify expectations and career paths.
In conclusion, working as a psychologist in a hospital offers diverse experiences involving patient care across various mental health challenges. It requires strong interpersonal skills, adaptability to different situations, and an unwavering commitment to patient well-being.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA provides extensive resources on psychology practices including guidelines for psychologists working within healthcare settings. Their publications cover ethical standards and best practices relevant to clinical psychology.
2. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH offers research-based information regarding mental health disorders which aids psychologists in understanding various conditions they might encounter within hospitals.
3. Journal of Clinical Psychology
This peer-reviewed journal publishes research articles on clinical practices that inform psychologists about effective interventions and case studies relevant to hospital settings.
Probability that the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
Experiences of a Psychologist in a Hospital Setting
1. Overview of the Role of a Psychologist in a Hospital
As a psychologist working in a hospital, you will be involved in assessing and treating patients with various mental health issues. This role often requires collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers. The primary goal is to provide psychological support to patients dealing with acute or chronic medical conditions, mental health disorders, or emotional distress related to their health.
2. Common Experiences and Observations
In a hospital setting, psychologists encounter numerous situations that can be both challenging and rewarding:
Patient Assessments: You will conduct psychological evaluations to understand the mental state of patients. This may involve interviews, standardized tests, and observations.
Therapeutic Interventions: You will provide therapy sessions to help patients cope with their conditions. This could include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, or crisis intervention.
Multidisciplinary Team Meetings: Regular meetings with other healthcare professionals are essential for discussing patient care plans and ensuring comprehensive treatment approaches.
Crisis Situations: You may deal with emergencies such as suicidal ideation or severe anxiety attacks. Being prepared for these situations is crucial.
Documentation: Maintaining accurate records of assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes is an integral part of the job.
3. Types of Cases You Might Encounter
Psychologists in hospitals deal with a wide range of cases:
Acute Mental Health Issues: Patients experiencing severe depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, or substance abuse problems may require immediate psychological intervention.
Chronic Illness Management: Patients coping with chronic illnesses like cancer or diabetes often experience psychological distress that needs addressing.
Trauma Recovery: Many patients may have experienced trauma related to their medical condition or personal history that requires therapeutic support.
Pediatric Cases: Child psychologists working in hospitals may deal with children facing medical procedures or chronic illnesses affecting their emotional well-being.
4. Approaches to Dealing with Cases
Handling cases effectively involves several strategies:
Building Rapport: Establishing trust with patients is vital for effective therapy. Active listening and empathy are key components.
Tailored Treatment Plans: Each patient’s needs are unique; therefore, creating individualized treatment plans based on thorough assessments is essential.
Crisis Management Skills: Being trained in crisis intervention techniques allows psychologists to respond effectively when patients are in distress.
Collaboration: Working closely with other healthcare providers ensures that the psychological aspects of care are integrated into the overall treatment plan.
5. Determining if This Career is Right for You
To assess whether being a psychologist in a hospital setting aligns with your interests and skills:
Self-reflection on Interests: Consider your passion for helping others and your interest in mental health issues.
Educational Background: Ensure you have the necessary educational qualifications (typically a doctoral degree in psychology) and clinical training.
Internships/Volunteering Experience: Gaining firsthand experience through internships or volunteer work can provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of hospital psychologists.
Mentorship Opportunities: Seeking guidance from current professionals in the field can help clarify expectations and career paths.
In conclusion, working as a psychologist in a hospital offers diverse experiences involving patient care across various mental health challenges. It requires strong interpersonal skills, adaptability to different situations, and an unwavering commitment to patient well-being.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
1. American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA provides extensive resources on psychology practices including guidelines for psychologists working within healthcare settings. Their publications cover ethical standards and best practices relevant to clinical psychology.
2. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH offers research-based information regarding mental health disorders which aids psychologists in understanding various conditions they might encounter within hospitals.
3. Journal of Clinical Psychology
This peer-reviewed journal publishes research articles on clinical practices that inform psychologists about effective interventions and case studies relevant to hospital settings.
Probability that the answer is correct: 95%
God Bless You!
JC.
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