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As a psychologist, what was the most important moment in your career?

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Catrina’s Answer

My most important moment occurred when I was a postdoctoral fellow. This means I had completed my doctorate, but was still in training and under supervision because I wasn't yet a licensed psychologist. I was doing an intake or initial interview with a patient who shared with me that they had been having suicidal thoughts. It was the first time they had shared this information with anyone. A younger trainee was shadowing me that day. After the visit was over, I remember the trainee looking at me as if I had accomplished something great, and making a comment like "I hope I'm that good some day." It was that day that I fully realized that I was comfortable being with patients during some of their worst days and that I also wanted to teach others how to do the same. That feeling and realization has kept me going because it reminds me how much I love the work that I do.

Technically, the most important moment in my career was probably when I successfully defended my dissertation. That was the last hurdle between me and my PhD. But if I'm being honest, the moment I described earlier has stayed with me more, which is probably why I'm a clinician and not a researcher.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for replying, I believe we need more people who genuinely enjoy their line of work. I say it in the sense that for most it is conditional to just the amount they earn and helping people is more of a secondary concern. Anthony
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