I have 2 doctorates in psychology

[Psy]

Ask me anything about psychology

Why did you do two doctorates?

The first one was a professional doctorate but I took a long time off after it because of grief, and then kids, and when I tried to get work, my registration had lapsed and I had to retrain. Doing a PhD is free, so I went back and did one.

It was probably a mistake, career wise, but it's done now.

How hard was it to get placements / course acceptances?
What advice would you give people who want to become psychologists?

How was the PhD free?

What is your take on the current mental health epidemic, especially amongst young people?

I've read 2 view points, one that is great we can now talk about things, but another saying that whilst it's good, we are sometimes pathologising some parts of the human experience.

Very easy. Later years were competitive, but there are lots of courses in psychology. They're money makers for universities, I've heard, so they're offered everywhere. Placements were organised for us. I would say do it if you're interested, but make sure you keep your registrations up to date!

Government subsidised

So do you now work as a clinical psychologist? What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist and a therapist/counsellor, apart from the ability to prescribe medication?

Hmm.

Do people think you're a joke because they have to call you doctor doctor?

Yes, it's good that more resources and attention are being directed to mental health, especially after lockdown.

I'm a theoretical/research psychologist though and I find the medical model of mental health to be annoying. Diagnosis is mostly for the convenience of the system. People need to be assigned here and there. And the diagnosis is based on what professionals can observe in short, discrete appointments. So they're heavy on comparison to norms and behaviours that can be universally and easily observed. Whereas as a parent, for example, you're looking at interactions and patterns of behaviour over time. What the kid likes, how they respond in different settings, how people respond to them. I feel like there's often a disconnect between the formal diagnosis and what parents see. On the other hand, some parents really love a diagnosis. As you say, there's views on all sides.

No, I didn't do clinical psychology. I did work psychology and my PhD was kinda cognitive and health psychology.

Psychiatrists used to have to be doctors first (but I heard that's changing now), so they traditionally had a medical and psychoanalytic approach to treating patients. Clinical psychologists have a background in psychology. I never studied it, but I think they're big on cognitive behavioural therapy and similar. Therapist/counsellor are general terms, anyone can do that, I think.

Yes. It's like having two husbands in that one is enough. It's not better to have two.

Nobody calls me Dr Dr. Actually, nobody even calls me one Dr.

?

Congratulations on your achievements!

What advice would you give to someone who feels they need help but has no idea what kind of help they need?

Really?

What professional doctorates are available in 'work psychology?'

Thank you, that's kind of you.

That's a really good question, and I think a problem with the current system. It's opaque. For example if someone is sad, then everyone knows they could be depressed and should "seek help" from a professional. Whether and how that professional will help is unclear to a lot of people. Also, it can be hard to get an appointment. The person is supposed to persist in a state of faith that some kind of help is on the other end. That's a big ask for someone in despair or someone who has trouble planning.

If it was real life, I think it would depend. I suppose, to start with, to talk it over and try to be clear about what the issue is. And what the main things are going on that affect it.

It was organisational/industrial psychology. I usually just say work psychology, because it's easier. There used to be lots of programs in it, I'm not sure if there still are.

I am also at a loss as to why 2 phd’s?

did you do the same research area again, or was a different one?

how does a PhD “lapse”?

I have a PhD and could pretty much switch into any area- it’s not the subject matter, it’s the methodology and interpretation of results, in addition to the novel research.

so why would you need another one? Even if you needed to retrain surely working in the field as a research assistant or similar would get you up to date in the same way.

did you actually need the PhD qualification or would it have been enough just to do the work?

I know you said it’s free but how did you manage another 3 years on no salary? Is a psychologists wage enough to compensate?

The first doctorate wasn't a PhD. In psychology, a PhD doesn't qualify you to practise so there are professional doctorates, which are the same as coursework masters, but a bit longer.

No, the PhD didn't qualify me for anything except, maybe, becoming an academic. I did it part time while being a SAHM. Yes, it would have been better to work, but in many ways a PhD is a lot more flexible and easier than a job when you have small kids, or so I thought. I don't recommend this path. It's embarrassing. I agree, the first one should have been enough to launch a stellar career.

In countries like Germany it’s absolutely standard for people with multiple academic titles to use all of them, so you really do get ‘Prof. Dr. Dr’. It looks so silly! Much prefer the more modest Anglophone approach. But if you’re ever in mainland Europe, do make sure you give your name as Dr. Dr. to ensure a bit of respect!

Could you describe what you do?
What does an average day at work look like for you?
Do you enjoy your job?

I think most people seem insane. Does that mean I am?