Psychologists: a genuine help, or just genuinly interested in your money?

Question

What is your honest oppinion? I'm a bit suspicious.

Answer 1

You would think that it would be for the money. However, the deeper and deeper I get into this field, the more I discover how little money I will be making. As an intern, I am making less than I did when I worked retail. Anyone who gets into psychology just to get rich is due for a rude awakening. After my LARGE student loan payments, I won't be making much at all. My father, who is a high school drop-out, is now making almost twice what I will make when I graduate.
I will admit that the prospect of money was attractive when I first started. But that wasn't my primary reason for entering the field. I like learning about people and I enjoy helping others and making a difference.
I am sure there are some private practice psychologists who are making six figures, but I've always worked for community mental health clinics, the county, or the state, so I don't come anywhere close to that amount. People that do charge so much for their services and refuse insurance...I do question their motives a bit.

If you question a psychologist's motive for his/her job choice, I suggest you read about Festinger and Carlsmith's cognitive dissonance research.
http://homepages.utoledo.edu/mcaruso/social/lect06c.html
In short, I must really love what I do and I must enjoy helping others if I continue to do it, despite making so little money.

Answer 2

Psychologists are like any other demographic of people: a few winners, a whole lot of losers. I have met some of both and have to say that the good ones are more committed to the work than any other kind of doctor I've ever known, and the money is not a big deal.

Answer 3

I like how you asked it on here that is a smart and careful idea! Well I would say some are for your money but some are sweethearts, it depends on the person. One I had once was the best ever and I will never forget her! Another was funny, kind and warm hearted he was great! One I recently had she was not so great, she acted as if she was the best sophisticated most professional shrink but really was looking for money and still is, played games like would just guess on diagnoses like they were a check list, often was wrong, when she was wrong she would cover it up with something. I suggest you shop around for the wonderful one and check out their WEBSITES, HELP OFFERED, YOUR FIRST SESSION, CALL THEM, SEE IF THEY HAVE A BUSINESS BROCHURE, and other factors you may want to consider. good luck to you I hope you find what you need! :)

Answer 4

There are people in all fields who don't have a passion for what they do and only want to make money. My friend's mom is a psychologist and I can tell that she really cares about helping people out. She always goes the extra mile and even supports people outside of their sessions by going to their important events. Others I'm sure don't give a damn about their patients and are only doing their job to collect a check.

Answer 5

Hi hun! I hear what you are saying. I've have been seeing a psychologist for 16 years. I was severly sexually abused for 19 years of my childhood. I have a lot of issues to deal with. I had issued up over my head, but know the issues are a butt level and I'm making progress all the time. I would be dead if it wasn't for my psychologist. I did have one that I didn't feel was helping me so I requested another one. I am glad I did. He is a very concerned caring man and talks to me and helps me with all my questions. So I'm saying, Yes! there are some that don't care, but there are others that do. You need to go to one and just feel them out, are they helping you with your issues or not, do you feel better after talking to them, do they give you different ideas to help work things out, do they give you different resources to help you, etc.. I hope I helped! Take care! Hugs! Von

Answer 6

Psychology at least is based on objective scientific studies and uses verified tests as diagnostic aids, unlike psychiatry, which at best resembles voodoo and at worst is a way for drug companies to make a lot of money with drugs whose effects are uncertain and whose side effects are horrible.

Answer 7

Well the pay and the hours suck so it must be to be of genuine help or the interest lies from their own dysfunctions and getting better through helping others.

Answer 8

I've known a couple of excellent psychologists, who were so much better than doctors and psychiatrists.

Answer 9

Too many seem interested in money and a niche in the town's/county's political scene.

Answer 10

i think that some are out there to help but some are just there for easy money, dont know will never go to one unless i get recomended one(dont worry i dont have probs) ya