To A Psychologist

[wtp]

I'm going into my senior year of hgh school. I'm thinking about what I want to do for a career. I think I would really enjoy studying psychology but before I become dedicated to that I would like to learn more.

What made you want to become a psychologist? What should I read that will give me a good idea for what psychology is about?

 

[Ryan Howes]

Hi wtp. I'm a clinical psychologist in Pasadena, California. You have a good, simple question, but unfortunately the answer is a little complicated. If you'll bear with me, I'll try my best to give a coherent answer.

In general, psychologists are interested in why people do what they do. How they go about this interest is where things get complicated. About half of the people who go to college and graduate school to become psychologists end up working in colleges and universities, the government or businesses that conduct research in human behavior. These are the experimental psychologists (studying rats in mazes!), industrial psychologists (designing better dashboards), social psychologists (studying how people influence one another), developmental psychologists (how we grow and learn), physiological psychologists (how the brain works), etc., etc. They devote their lives to research, writing and/or teaching about human beings and why they do what they do.

There's another type of psychologist - I suspect the one you're asking about - the psychologists who conduct psychotherapy. These are the clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists, and they make up the other half of all psychologists. While they (we, I guess, I'm in this group) may teach, write and/or do research, the majority of us are using the research and psychological theories to help people overcome mental issues and live more satisfying, fulfilling lives.

To complicate things a little more, not everyone who provides psychotherapy is called a psychologist. There are licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers and psychiatrists as well. But don't worry about that now, you're still in high school and will have plenty of time to figure that out.

So now that we've cleared up who psychologists are and what they do, we're getting closer to answering your question. You want to know what made me want to become a psychologist. I know a lot of psychologists and taught a lot of psychologists-in-training, and two main themes seem to jump out: a deep curiosity about people and/or a personal experience that makes them passionate about giving back.

Those who are deeply curious are fascinated by the human mind. They love reading biographies and solving mysteries and can sit in a crowded place and just watch people for hours. While some people love model trains, others astronomy, others fashion; these people turn on when they get to learn what makes someone tick.

Then there are those who are passionate about giving back. These people experienced some challenge in their own life, overcame it, and want to use that experience to help others. Whether it was abuse, a particular disorder, socio-economic hardship or relationship problem, they feel their experience on their own journey can help others who suffer from similar problems.

It's not all or nothing, there is definitely a lot of overlap. I experienced some challenges in my early life and really benefited from the counseling and mentoring I received. But I'm also a big people-watcher. I can go to a concert of my favorite band and can't help but notice the interaction of a married couple 5 rows ahead. I love helping people, but I'm also fascinated to learn how they think, why they think it and what they're going to do about it.

If you want to know what psychology in general is about, head to your library and find a psychology 101 textbook. That will cover all the areas of psychology in 14 chapters, only one of which discusses therapy. If you want to know more about psychotherapy, pick up Irvin Yalom's book Love's Executioner. In it you'll hear a few dozen of the most amazing stories about therapy. If you read it and can't set it down, psychotherapy is probably a worthwhile career option. If you read it and you're bored out of your mind, you might want to expand you horizons.

I hope this helps, wtp. It was fun for me to write this response!

 

[wtp]

Wow thank-you this helped a lot.

I often observe people and I can sit for hours just thinking about people and their motives. I talk to other people about this stuff and it usually makes good conversation.

I know I would enjoy research, but I might want to do clinical. I'm taking a psychology coarse in the fall so I'll go through that book. I'll also pick up that book you mentioned it sounds interesting.

Thanks again this is probably what I'll be doing with my life.

 

[Into The Light]

wtp, that's great! best of luck in your studies, and know that a good psychologist really makes a big difference in people's lives (i adore mine and she means a lot to me and i am so thankful for people like her).

 

[NicNak]

I agree with Into The Light. I am thankful to my doctor as well. You can make a huge difference in the lives of folks like us.

I sincerely wish you all the best in your studies, Wtp.

Feel free to read through the forum or to post any other questions you may have.

The membership here is full of knowledge and experiences. Including, patients, therapist, students, family coping with a loved one with mental illness or folks who are just intersted in learning more.

By the way :welcome: to the forum!

 

[wtp]

Thanks guys for the encouragement.