The career of a psychologist unfolds through many phases.聽 How does the experience, including both the joys and the challenges of being a psychologist, change over time?聽 Borrowing Jeffrey Kottler’s (2012) depiction of the stages in the career of a psychologist, we asked MSP faculty to offer their perspectives.聽 Shannon Chavez-Korell, PhD聽talks about Stage One.
Stage One – Training: 鈥淲hat if I don鈥檛 have what it takes?鈥�
When I was beginning my graduate training I knew that I wanted to help people, I was good at listening, and I wanted to celebrate people (their struggle and resilience) without judgment. 聽Becoming a therapist was a clear match to my value system and worldview.
In sitting down with my first official clients during my practicum training, the weight of the responsibility set in.聽 I was uncertain, nervous, and unprepared to make decisions that greatly affected other people鈥檚 lives.聽 I was also initially uneasy consulting with my supervisor, as I was afraid that my questions would reveal my incompetence and might flag me as being unqualified for this profession.聽 I began questioning whether I had what it takes to be an effective clinician.
Despite my fears, I decided to be open and honest with my supervisor, because I had a responsibility to my clients who were relying on my clinical services.聽 I was greatly relieved to find the support, guidance, and expertise (without judgment) that I so desperately needed.
Kottler, J.A. (2012). The therapist鈥檚 workbook: Self-assessment, self-care, and self-improvement exercises for mental health professionals聽(second ed., pp. 10-16).聽 Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.