Sadism, Capitalism, and other 'isms' of the EPPP

I am rather certain that the topic of #sadism comes up often in discussions amongst individuals studying for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (the "EPPP").  However, I was surprised to find a lack of hits when I typed in search words such as "EPPP" and "sadism."  I am going on 7 months of studying for this thing and continue to get hit with questions that I never knew existed in the realm of #psychology (after 9 years of studying within this very field).  One would wonder how this would be possible.  

We are asked to know everything from the names of the attorneys involved in the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) to where our circadian clock is located within our brain (in the suprachiasmatic nucleas within the hypothalamus....that's a mouthful).  Do I need to know these things?  Likely not.  Do I even CARE about these things?  Definitely not. 

However, we are forced to learn fact upon fact.  Let me correct that statement....we are forced to learn fact upon controversial and subjective non-fact.  For example, just take a look at some of the explanations for questions on the practice exams: "Questions like these are difficult to answer, because research in this area is contradictory" or "This question is difficult because the language of the response choices is convoluted and imprecise" or my all-time favorite: "None of the answers are quite right..."  Wow.  Okay, great.

Does this exam of all exams really measure whether one will be a good psychologist?  I understand that that is not the "goal" of this exam.  The sadists over at ASPPB say that the goal of the EPPP is to ensure a minimum level of competence.  Minimum???  With pass rates ranging from 60-76% I would have to argue that the #EPPP is not an easy exam.  Quite the contrary. 

Like most things, the EPPP is a money-making business.  First, you can shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars for the safety net test-taking programs such as #AcademicReview, the #TaylorStudyMethod, or #PsychPrep.  After countless hours of studying, you are required to go through the tedious process of signing up to take the darn thing.  The sadists over at ASPPB collect a whopping $450 (But hurry folks because this fee is going up to $600 in March 2013!!!).  Then, the folks over at Prometric collect $69 for a "CBT test administration fee"....whatever that is.  After sitting through a grueling 4 hours and 200 exam questions, you must wait for results for weeks.  Then if you want feedback, it's another 75 bucks.  And if you fail, you will be forced to pay most of those fees again my friends.  Capitalism at it's best.  

Man Therapy IS a Real Thing - For Better or Worse

Well, apparently "Man Therapy" IS real.  This article discusses this gimmicky campaign's apparent popularity.  

http://www.thedenveregotist.com/news/local/2012/october/8/cactus-man-therapy-thefwa-site-day

I guess I'm happy if even a small amount of the people going on this site are getting much needed help because of it.  But I wonder how many of those 6,000 people who clicked the crisis line were just curious or waiting for the punch line.  I guess that I'm still waiting for it.....

#mantherapy #cactus #adagency #thedenveregotist #thefwa'ssiteoftheday #aheateddebate #mentalhealth #antidepressioncampaign #FWA #mantherapy.org #NPR #depression

"Man Therapy"

So, I was made aware of this thing called "Man Therapy" and don't know quite what to make of it yet.  Some ad agency in Denver worked on it.  I didn't know if I should take it seriously or not.  The actual website was really well done, but kind of gimmicky.  Then I got to thinking....is this the way our field is going?  Social media and gimmicks?  I guess just the simple referral from a friend isn't good enough anymore.

I wonder how it would be received to do something similar but call it "Woman Therapy."  For some reason, I just don't think that it would have the same feel to it.  I could spout off a bunch of stereotypical  and heterosexist things about women such as: "Woman therapy: A place that you can come to bitch about how your husband would rather watch paint dry than to talk about his feelings with you or show an ounce of empathy."  Or: "Woman therapy: A place to talk about how you are lonely, depressed, and desperate."  Or finally:   "Woman therapy:  A place to help you discover WHY you are lonely and depressed.....because let's face it ladies, HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU."  Why not even offer babysitting while patients are in session and free vouchers for a visit to your local shopping consultant.  Or let's just take this even a little farther and offer mani's, pedi's, and cosmos while that patients wait?  I see the space decked out in velvet, shabby chic-like chandeliers, and lavender with touches of baby pink.  It could be like a one-stop-shop for all things WOMAN.

And now, once you get the yucky taste out of your mouth caused by imagining all those disgusting stereotypes, I'd like you take a look at the following website and tell me what you think.  Is this so-called "Man Therapy" just a smart way to get patients into the door in order to help more men heal?  Or is it just a bunch of gross stereotypes?  Or, better yet, is it even real?

http://mantherapy.org/#/center

#mantherapy #cactus #adagency #thedenveregotist #thefwa'ssiteoftheday #aheateddebate #mentalhealth #antidepressioncampaign #FWA #mantherapy.org #NPR #depression

With a doctorate in clinical psychology one is deemed to be "an expert in human behavior."  I myself am now deemed to be such an "expert."  I can now also call myself and force others around me to call me Doctor.  These are what I see as the two main benefits of having a doctoral degree.  These delusions of grandeur are what got me through the grueling 6 years it took for me to receive these titles.  

From the other side of those dusty library walls, things aren't so pretty.  First off, let's just state the obvious....the economy is crap.  Yes, it's crap whether you have an 8th grade education or a doctorate.  I'm not going to sit here and pretend that having a doctorate doesn't afford me certain privileges.  It does.  But in a time when jobs are being cut and factory-like schools push out therapists faster than you can say "here's your bill," it can make even the most positive of us shrinks kind of pissy.  You might be saying, "Why don't you get off your high horse and just go out and get yourself any nice little office job?"  I'd have say that I see your point.  However, there's this little thing called "cognitive dissonance" that I'd prefer not to get involved with.  After going to school for 24 years and paying an arm and a leg, I think you'd want to practice in the field you were supposedly trained for as well.  

This "arm and a leg" comment brings me to my next point.....money.  Lots of it.  I managed to be in complete denial throughout my years of higher education.  I had this great technique of stuffing loan statements into a big folder in my closet.  I never actually looked at them really.....until now.  With the combination of going to a school ran by blood sucking vampires and something called "interest," my loan payments now amount to the cost of a 2 bedroom condo in Denver, CO or a super expensive european sports car.  Now I will be paying for the titles of "doctor" and "expert" past the time of my retirement party.  It's a beautiful thing. 

Finally, as if the abysmal situations previously stated are not enough, I practice in a state that allows any Tom, Dick, or Mary to practice "psychotherapy."  So, you could have someone with a high school diploma providing psychotherapy in the good ol' state of Colorado.  I do believe that a huge part of being a therapist is that you either have it or you don't...some skills just can't be taught.  This is precisely why a good chunk of trained professionals with doctorates or masters in psychology make for horrible therapists.  There are some things you just can't learn from a book.  However, I also believe that a good theoretical basis, years of supervised practice, and an emphasis on introspection and cultural competency are required to be a good therapist.  The more learning, supervised training, and theoretical knowledge you have (in combination with the "right" personality or "innate" abilities), the better the shrink you'll likely be.  

I do, in fact, love what I do.  The real beauty of this all actually exists on "the couch" and occurs in the therapy room.  Oh, and let's not forget the fact that in a debate, I can use the "expert" card with my partner and there's really nothing that can be said in response to that.  In those moments, it all feels worth it.

#doctorate #psychology #clinicalpsychology #colorado #psychotherapy #privatepractice #loanrepayment #therapist 

Dream Becomes Reality

As many good shrink stories begin, I'd like to tell you about a dream that I had.  Not the kind of cheesy inspirational poster kind of 'dream,' but an actual dream that occurs while one is sleeping.  The kind of 'dream' that is often a topic that most shrinks lean in and perk their ears up to.  I dreamt that I should start a blog about all things psychology and mental health related.  Not just any boring psych-related blog though....it would be sarcastic, real, and have almost a memoir-like feel to it.  After a very extensive self-analysis of this dream, I discovered the true meaning of this dream.  Ready for it?  The deep meaning of this dream was that I should start a blog.  Yes, I'm that good.  

You may be asking, "Why do I care about this?  It's just another crappy blog."  Maybe so.  But I believe that it is not just another run-of-the-mill "here's your mental health tip for the day" kind of blog.  This blog aspires to be a modern, unexpected, and often humorous take on all things psychology-related.  You may learn something, disagree with something, hate something, or even experience the once popular 'LOL' to something funny.  Either way, you are having a reaction to it.  That's my hope.  Interact, emote, curse, or just enjoy it for what it is...just do something, please.