What EXACTLY do Psychologists do??

Summary

In this video, Phil Saron, from the Phil's GU ID channel, explores the daily responsibilities of a psychologist, highlighting key aspects such as intervention, assessment, and support. He discusses intake interviews, therapy sessions, psychological assessments (including neuropsychological), and providing feedback to clients. Phil explains how psychologists diagnose mental health conditions, conduct assessments, and help clients through reports and treatment plans. Additionally, he touches on support tasks like clinical writing and research, offering a comprehensive look into what aspiring psychologists can expect in their careers.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Psychologists engage in three main activities: intervention, assessment, and support.
• 📋 Intake interviews are crucial for gathering background information such as family, social, and medical history to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.
• 💬 Psychologists provide various forms of therapy, including individual, family, couples, and group therapy.
• 📞 Due to recent events, psychologists now use different intervention methods like telephone, video, and in-person sessions.
• 🧪 Assessment is a key part of a psychologist's role, which includes psycho-diagnostic and neuropsychological assessments to evaluate a patient’s mental health and brain functions.
• 📝 Feedback sessions follow assessments to explain the test results and guide patients on next steps.
• 📚 Psychologists often write reports that help patients, such as accommodations for school-related issues like extended test times.
• 👩‍🏫 Psychologists also perform support tasks like clinical writing, psychological scoring, report writing, and supervising other psychologists in training.
• 🔍 Report writing and test result interpretation are essential skills for psychologists to effectively communicate their findings and treatment plans.
• 🎓 Psychologists may work in various settings, such as hospitals, private practices, or educational environments, providing therapy, consulting, and research.

Q & A

What are the main tasks that psychologists perform on a day-to-day basis?

Psychologists typically focus on intervention, assessment, and support. This includes tasks like intake interviews, therapy (individual, group, couples), psychological assessments, providing feedback, and report writing.

How does the intake interview fit into a psychologist's daily routine?

The intake interview is an essential first step where the psychologist gathers detailed background information about the patient, including family, social, and medical history, which is vital for diagnosing and creating a treatment plan.

What is the difference between psychological and neuropsychological assessments?

Psychological assessments focus on diagnosing mental health conditions, while neuropsychological assessments examine brain function to identify neurological issues affecting mental processes, such as those related to learning or cognitive abilities.

In what ways can psychologists provide therapy?

Psychologists can provide therapy in various formats, including individual, family, couples, or group therapy. They may also offer interventions via telephone, video, or in-person sessions.

What role do psychologists play as consultants?

Psychologists often act as consultants to other professionals, offering guidance on treatment plans, mental health conditions, and best practices for addressing psychological issues in various settings.

How has the pandemic influenced psychologists' methods of intervention and assessment?

Due to the pandemic, psychologists have adopted remote methods like telephone-based and video-based interventions and assessments, providing more flexible options for patient care.

Why is providing feedback to clients an important part of a psychologist's job?

Providing feedback helps patients understand the results of their assessments and psychological tests. Psychologists explain the findings clearly to guide the patient in their next steps, such as treatment or accommodations.

What types of report writing are psychologists responsible for?

Psychologists write various reports, such as diagnostic reports for schools or other institutions. These reports often include recommendations for accommodations or interventions based on the patient's psychological or neuropsychological assessment.

What is the support aspect of a psychologist's role?

The support aspect involves tasks like report writing, clinical scoring, research preparation, reading, seminars, and didactic sessions. Psychologists also interpret test results and supervise trainees in some cases.

What other tasks might a psychologist in training experience during their practicum?

A psychologist in training may engage in intake interviews, psychological assessments, therapy sessions, providing feedback, and report writing. They may also experience consulting with other professionals and offering supervision to peers.