2 answers
Ri
Student
Peyton, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
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What made you decide to be a psychologist?
Just considering all the schooling, expenses, restrictions... What made you say 'this is it'? Or what is the best part of coming to work every day?
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2 answers
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
I know of one famous scientist who hoped his son might become a scientist after him...but when his son tried to pay attention and learn all the math and science required, he just wasn't interested in it, and he could do it, but it took him longer and was hard and he didn't enjoy it. His scientist father totally loved that stuff, and loved trying to teach it, but finally he noticed his son just wasn't having the same joyful experience, and he said, "Son, don't you think about this stuff in your free time? Isn't this what you like to do when you don't have to be doing anything?" And his son said, "Nope!" And his dad said, "Well, you should go and do whatever it is you like to think about when you don't have to think about anything." So his son changed his college major and had a different career and he is world famous now himself but he hasn't been a scientist.
I have always been interested in psychology as far as practical skills and knowledge for relating to people and knowing what to do to help people have better mental health and get along with each other better and understand each other and communicate well, and part of that comes from my having grown up in a home where I could see what seemed to me to be big problems between family members that could obviously be solved in some specific ways, but my family members never seemed to see, and didn't have an interest in understanding--and that affected the rest of the family, and I really just always wanted my family to get along better and for us all to be happier and mentally healthier too. And as a teen I spent time experiencing depression and it made me study depression more and learn what resources were out there then (the world has exploded more about that since I was a teen, but I could find some good things then, but I also couldn't find a lot, and had to learn some things that get put in books now by my own experience). And as an adult, I've been a teacher and a musician and seen how music and good teaching can affect people psychologically and help them, and so I've just always been interested in this, and I've read and watched and learned so much but I would still often choose to hear and learn more about this in my free time. And I know lots of other people who go into psychology feel the same way.
I haven't decided to be a psychologist, but I can always read and recommend the best resources from the people I respect the most to my friends and people I meet in social media groups about mental health and psychology and all of my own interests, who need to be able to find that information for improving their own lives, and so that's been helpful for me. If I ever felt like I should also put in the specific hours required for a degree, or pay all the money, and it would help me do even more than what I can already do, I might go for it. But there's a lot you can do yourself just by always looking for well-known books and other sources (everything from Scott Peck in "the old days" to "pop science" books by people like Gary Chapman or John Gray over the last 30 years, to new books by John Delony and Brene Brown and Terry Real etc., and every different kind of podcast from Nora McInerny to Forrest Hanson to Jordan Peterson to learning all about the culture of 12-step programs and what they're helpful for and what they might lack a bit) and deciding which ones are highest quality and what you would like to be able to recommend to a person who you cross paths with who could use a hand by knowing what you know.
I have always been interested in psychology as far as practical skills and knowledge for relating to people and knowing what to do to help people have better mental health and get along with each other better and understand each other and communicate well, and part of that comes from my having grown up in a home where I could see what seemed to me to be big problems between family members that could obviously be solved in some specific ways, but my family members never seemed to see, and didn't have an interest in understanding--and that affected the rest of the family, and I really just always wanted my family to get along better and for us all to be happier and mentally healthier too. And as a teen I spent time experiencing depression and it made me study depression more and learn what resources were out there then (the world has exploded more about that since I was a teen, but I could find some good things then, but I also couldn't find a lot, and had to learn some things that get put in books now by my own experience). And as an adult, I've been a teacher and a musician and seen how music and good teaching can affect people psychologically and help them, and so I've just always been interested in this, and I've read and watched and learned so much but I would still often choose to hear and learn more about this in my free time. And I know lots of other people who go into psychology feel the same way.
I haven't decided to be a psychologist, but I can always read and recommend the best resources from the people I respect the most to my friends and people I meet in social media groups about mental health and psychology and all of my own interests, who need to be able to find that information for improving their own lives, and so that's been helpful for me. If I ever felt like I should also put in the specific hours required for a degree, or pay all the money, and it would help me do even more than what I can already do, I might go for it. But there's a lot you can do yourself just by always looking for well-known books and other sources (everything from Scott Peck in "the old days" to "pop science" books by people like Gary Chapman or John Gray over the last 30 years, to new books by John Delony and Brene Brown and Terry Real etc., and every different kind of podcast from Nora McInerny to Forrest Hanson to Jordan Peterson to learning all about the culture of 12-step programs and what they're helpful for and what they might lack a bit) and deciding which ones are highest quality and what you would like to be able to recommend to a person who you cross paths with who could use a hand by knowing what you know.
Gena Holmes
Clinical Psychologist
14
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
Gena’s Answer
Hi Ri,
Great question! I decided to become a psychologist for two main reasons. One, I feel a compassionate pull towards supporting people suffering. The second reason was practical in terms of career opportunities.
I worked as a counsellor for some years before fully completing my accreditation as a clinical psychologist. I was already working in a role I loved as a counsellor so the move to become a psychologist, specifically, was a practical for me.
Becoming psychologist opened up career and referral options and allows me to earn a good wage in my own private practice.
I still consider my work to be ‘counselling’ or ‘psychotherapy’ though.
In Australia the title of ‘counsellor’ isn’t regulated, this is why I could work as a counsellor without a formal qualification. There are plenty of really good counselling qualifications and really good counsellors out there, it’s just that having the psychology qualification allows my clients to claim Medicare rebates or claim with insurance. Doctors are slightly more likely to refer to a psychologist. It opens up career options as a psychologist could apply for a job titled either ‘psychologist’, ‘counsellor’ or ‘psychotherapist’.
I did also really benefit professionally from the placements and working under an experienced supervisor as part of the psychology qualification. Other qualifications (ie counselling and psychotherapy degrees or courses) have this aspect too though.
I find the work endlessly interesting. I am rewarded by the process and not someone who is outcomes focussed. This helps with job satisfaction as I can see value in the small moments and am less likely to be deflated by the ‘outcomes’ not being reached.
I believed I would have remained happy and satisfied in my role as a counsellor but having the psychology qualification has opened up more options.
All the best,
Gena
Great question! I decided to become a psychologist for two main reasons. One, I feel a compassionate pull towards supporting people suffering. The second reason was practical in terms of career opportunities.
I worked as a counsellor for some years before fully completing my accreditation as a clinical psychologist. I was already working in a role I loved as a counsellor so the move to become a psychologist, specifically, was a practical for me.
Becoming psychologist opened up career and referral options and allows me to earn a good wage in my own private practice.
I still consider my work to be ‘counselling’ or ‘psychotherapy’ though.
In Australia the title of ‘counsellor’ isn’t regulated, this is why I could work as a counsellor without a formal qualification. There are plenty of really good counselling qualifications and really good counsellors out there, it’s just that having the psychology qualification allows my clients to claim Medicare rebates or claim with insurance. Doctors are slightly more likely to refer to a psychologist. It opens up career options as a psychologist could apply for a job titled either ‘psychologist’, ‘counsellor’ or ‘psychotherapist’.
I did also really benefit professionally from the placements and working under an experienced supervisor as part of the psychology qualification. Other qualifications (ie counselling and psychotherapy degrees or courses) have this aspect too though.
I find the work endlessly interesting. I am rewarded by the process and not someone who is outcomes focussed. This helps with job satisfaction as I can see value in the small moments and am less likely to be deflated by the ‘outcomes’ not being reached.
I believed I would have remained happy and satisfied in my role as a counsellor but having the psychology qualification has opened up more options.
All the best,
Gena