Omg I just saw that you’re a psychologist?? Which is so freaking awesome to me because I’m going to school to become a psychiatrist!! Any words of advice 🤔
This is so so so so so delayed. I am so sorry.
Just a bit of clarification I'm not a Clinical Psychologist. I am in MFT {Marriage and Family Therapy}. I'm getting close to the Clinical Psychologist part though. So Close. LOL
Thank you! It's a fun field with so many rewarding aspects but can be oh so draining.
Advise school-wise? Let's see....
-Keep ALL your books, papers, and even notes. They do come in handy sometimes.
-Develop relationships with your professors and fellow classmates. I can't tell you how many times I have reached out to a past professor who I felt close to that ended up being a mentor to help not only with thinking through a case but also keeping you leveled.
-Organization is so important. Calendars, post-its, a clear plan, it will save you from wasting time and or veering off track which is so easy to do.
-Find a way to maintain a life away from studying because it is easy to become overwhelmed and burned out. friends, family, hobbies, significant other. Do not get so engulfed in the education you neglect yourself and others. The same goes for when you get into the field, it is even more so important because it is easy to want to give, give, give, and actually give, give, give when you have not much to give. It is dangerous.
-Never bring your work home with you. EVER. Leave your clients/patients at the office. Try not to think about them once you leave your place of work. It will be easier said than done but if you fail in this it will be detrimental to you and your work/life balance and mental health.
-Find a therapist for yourself either now or when you've entered the field. I found this piece of advice I got in school so bizarre. I was like look I want to help people I don't need therapy. Then I realized why. It is easy to take on the baggage of others without realizing it. It is easy to get affected by a case and when that happens you need to ensure you separate yourself from them. After all, your job is to be there for them and give them unbiased and helpful solutions without injecting yourself. It will also help you keep yourself sane.
-Find mentors in your field of specialty. If you are going into primary substance abuse, sexual health, marriage, family, etc, find a mentor who has already been in the field for several years. This could be hard to find someone willing to take it on but the right person will.
-Always stay current in your knowledge especially alternative routes and methods, especially in the world that is changing so rapidly with the variety of clients you could encounter. I have known providers who refuse to go the extra mile to be inclusive or educate themselves about the strife of today's population.
-Find ways to broaden your worldwide view. This one is so important. This goes past reading articles and or watching a particular tv show/interview. This is a lifetime/career-long task that mainly means experiences and interactions. I think it separates the good therapists from the amazing therapists that have found ways to bridge the gap with who they treat.
There is so much advice I can give and I would take up the entire character-allowed limit here. I'm around if you want more. Feel free to drop me a line and I'll try to get to you as soon as I can unless life gets crazy again.
I wish you nothing but luck and success in your path!
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