Dr. Jameca CooperForensic Psychology Consultant, Emergence Psychological Services · Board Certified Counseling Psychologist and Forensic Psychology Consultant

Hello reality check 🥲 #clinicalpsychologist #realitycheck #psychology #hardwork #careerinsights

24 Jul 2024 · 1 min

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In this brief video, Dr. Jameca Cooper shares two hard‑earned lessons from her experience as a clinical and criminal psychologist. First, she explains that obtaining a professional license is far more demanding than simply earning a PhD or PsyD; it requires completing post‑doctoral supervised hours, passing a rigorous licensing exam (which many candidates fail), and navigating state‑specific licensure procedures. Second, she describes the emotional strain of daily exposure to clients' trauma, noting that constant listening to painful stories can be draining and that only certain personality types are well‑suited for this work.

Chapters

2 things I wish I had known before becoming a clinical and a criminal psychologist. One is getting licensed is hard. It's not enough to just graduate with a PhD or PsyD, but you actually have to then get postdoctoral hours, take the exam, pass the exam, which a large percentage of people don't pass the exam, and then begin the steps for licensure in whatever state you live in. It's hard. Second thing is this work is emotionally draining. Listening to trauma issues, emotions, tears all day every day can take a toll on you. It's hard work. It takes the right type of person to be cut out for this type of work.