Beginning psych student needs advice

[eindoofus]

I am planning on going into psychology and hope to someday open my own practice as a clinical psychologist. So far most of the books I read are just self-help books and are focused on helping the reader. I need something that aids me in helping others rather than just myself and teaches me the process of going about it. What books would you recommend to a beginning psych student who is interested in doing talk therapy? What are some other must read books for the field of psychology?

Also, are there any tapes or cds available that have recorded therapy sessions from various psychologists for students to listen to? Something like that would help give me a better idea of what will be expected of me down the road.

I am really interested in the brain. I love learning about neurons, neurotransmitters, synapses, but I am too weak in the area of science to do any hardcore work in it. Is there any way I can somehow tie that interest in with my main goal, which is doing talk therapy? Are there any offshoots to psychology that deal with the workings of the brain while still connecting with my goal?

Lastly, someone recommended that I go into psychopathology. Is this a good or bad idea? Will it help me in achieving my goal or will it send me in a totally different direction?


Thanks you so much for talking the time to read this.

 

[Into The Light]

hello eindoofus, most of us here are not psychologists so we may not be able to provide you with any input. have you thought of talking to any career counselors on campus?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Eindoofus, your best starting point would be any textbook in Introductory Psychology (Hilgard & Atkinson are authors of one in common use). You can probably find several at your local library, or secondhand book store, or on Amazon.

 

[Meg]

Hi Eindoofus,

I think there's plenty of opportunity to tie in your interest in how the brain functions with your desire to be a clinical psychologist. When you study psychopathology as part of a clinical course you learn a lot about the relationship between how the brain functions and how some disorders develop. Neuropsychology is another area you might find interesting. I'm sure you'll find a bit about both of those in an introductory text such as that which David has suggested - maybe you could check out those chapters early in your reading.

Meg

 

[HA]

Hello Eindoofus,

I work in biopsychology which is the same area as neuroscience. You will be covering the brain and behaviour at some point in any psychology program but you can choose to take more of the brain focused courses if you wanted to work in biopsychology or physiological psychology.

There are some undergrad programs in just neuroscience.

Your decision to focus on neuroscience (biological psychology) or clinical (therapy psychology) can happen at the graduate level.

All the best