Reflection

Today, I came across this article on the New York Times' website. As a psych major, and someone who is planning on spending the rest of her life talking to people about their problems in a setting similar to the ones described here, I found it fascinating. I don't intend to be a psychiatrist, which is the type of therapy that the author of this article has the most familiarity with, but I still think this is one of the best articles on the subject of the "therapy experience" that I've read in a long time.

I've always been the kind of person that other people open up to. I really enjoy talking to people and helping them work through what's going on in their lives, and I think that these two things combine to make me an ideal candidate to be a psychologist. I won't be a psychiatrist. That much I'm sure of. And it has nothing to do with the schooling (I'm going to be in grad school for five years to get my Psy. D. no matter what), it has to do with my beliefs about the use of medications in therapy.

Now, I think that there is a time and a place for medication. There are people that have chemical imbalances in their brains that can be corrected through medication. And I think that these people ought to have (strictly controlled) access to those drugs. But I also think that our society is quick to over-medicate, or to prescribe medication when it isn't necessary at all. I personally rarely even take aspirin. And it has nothing to do with my views on the economic impact of drug companies on our society or any of that. It has to do with the fact that there's nothing wrong with feeling a little bit of pain. Pain, be it physical or emotional, is there for a reason. It's to be paid attention to, not squashed with medication. I've seen numerous people be prescribed medications that do nothing for them but cost money and give them a sense that all of their problems will be solved with the little pill they take every morning.

So it comes as no surprise that I'm an overwhelming advocate of talk therapy. And that's why I've decided to be a clinical psychologist. People open up to me easily. Seriously, this happens to me all the time; I've just got the kind of personality that says "Tell me your secrets!", I suppose. Richie likes to say that all of a sudden people just find themselves in tears while talking to me, without any kind of understanding as to how they got there. And I think that's pretty accurate. (It doesn't hurt that he's probably going to be the subject of my thesis, once I get to that point.)

There is, of course, a difference between being a good friend and a good therapist. But I honestly think that being a good therapist will be easier. There's a lot that goes into being a good friend. It's a big effort, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. I do my best to be a good friend while also standing up for myself and what's best for me. But in a therapy relationship, there's none of that. I'll have to listen and work through things with patients, but there'll be no required emotional response from me. This is perfect for someone that hates opening up about herself, but loves having other people open up to her. At the end of the day, I'm glad I've chosen this profession. It suits me. And I think I'll really be good at it.