FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.  Do you do therapy online?

A.  No.  There are still many unanswered questions about the effectiveness and ethics of doing online therapy.  My web site is  self-help oriented, providing information and tools, not therapy.  I do answer psychological questions from people, but this is for purposes of information and education.  I view my internet activities like a self-help book, just more dynamic.  I do provide coaching services online for career, personal and professional development.  Coaching is not about treatment or therapy.  It is about facilitating positive growth and development.  

Q.  What is your orientation or approach?

A.  My primary orientation is cognitive-behavioral, specifically Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).  To learn more about this approach, see Therapy, or go to www.rebt.org.

Q.  Why did you go into psychology?

A.  I got interested in psychology when I took an introductory course in psychology my first year in college at Harvard University. I was fascinated by the mind and by the theoretical task of trying to understand the mind. I went on to get my Ph.D. at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.  

Q.  How do you become a psychologist?

A. It usually takes four years of college and four or more years of graduate school, as well as supervised experience and passing an examination to become a psychologist. Coursework depends on what areas you specialize in, but psychologists have a broad basis of courses, including psychopathology, but also conditioning and learning, statistics, child development, and many other subjects relating to psychology, biology and brain sciences. Psychology is a broad field ranging from research on human behavior, perception, and cognition to social, school, child, and industrial psychology,  and, of course, clinical and counseling psychology.  

Q.  What are the advantages of being a psychologist?

A.  The biggest advantage is I greatly enjoy my work. It is both stimulating intellectually and gratifying personally as well as very challenging and rewarding. It is deeply satisfying to see people make improvements in their lives. I am also glad to be involved in a broader purpose, because I believe that a scientific understanding of the mind will be very beneficial for the whole human race.

Q.  What are the disadvantages of being a psychologist?

A.  Recently, the main disadvantage is that managed care is changing the practice of psychology (and medicine). There is a lot more paperwork, lower fees and a great deal of competition to get on managed care panels. As one of my colleagues said recently, this means working more and getting less.  This  is not unique to psychology, of course.  It seems to be part of a much broader cultural trend towards "downsizing".  Fortunately, there are areas of psychology that don't depend on insurance reimbursement.  In fact, most of my work doesn't.

Q.  How much can psychologists make?

A.  Typical salaries depend on work setting, like in an agency versus private practice, ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000 per year.  However, as in any field, the top people make much more than the average.   

Q.  Doesn't it drive you crazy listening to people's problems?

A.  Many people wonder if it is upsetting to listen to people’s problems.  I wouldn't say I was untouched by client's problems, but usually not upset.  This comes from keeping clear boundaries and not "owning" clients problems. Also, the reward comes from helping people find new solutions, not dwelling on the negative. 

Q.  What kind of people do you work with?

A.  I work with all kinds of people, from those wanting a career change, to police officers, people involved in litigation, couples having marriage problems, and people suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental problems. Most of them are "normal" people with normal problems of life.

 Q.  What is a typical day like for you? 

In a typical day, I might: counsel a depressed or anxious or addicted person; do an assessment or evaluation by administering, scoring and interpreting tests; write a report about test results; conduct a diagnostic interview and history; review career tests with an executive who has been laid off or a person changing careers; testify in court; give a seminar; lead a self-help group; work with a couple having marriage problems; play computer games with a teenager while we talk about problems in his or her life; counsel someone over the phone or internet; go to lunch with a referral source; design a brochure; schedule appointments; file a tax form; check email and respond to questions; work on writing a book or article; update and expand my web site; read up on current issues in psychology; consult with a colleague; and other related activities.  Of course, I don't do all of these every day.  Also, I probably do more different things than most psychologists.  For more information on psychology, try the American Psychological Association (www.apa.org).

Q.  Do you use hypnosis?

A.   I do occasionally use hypnosis, but it is not my primary modality.  Hypnosis is a technique or tool that can be used for various therapeutic purposes and in is useful to have various tools in the toolbox.