What makes a true psychologist?

Question

I mean not education-wise, not what subjects she/he read. But what he/she seems to understand..

And not necessarily A therapist, I mean. Someone who understands the 'psyche' well..

Answer 1

you got to have an ology

Answer 2

A psychologist must have a sense of feeling for the other, and go beyond any textbook theories to view the person as a unique, valuable, special individual.
A good psychologist, a true one, is also able to admit when he or she does not know something and ask the person he or she is helping.
An example when I was tutoring at a small college, I began to learn about and appreciate things about other cultures by asking my students questions.
Caring, concern, and being able to go the extra mile with people, and attempt to walk a bit in their shoes will do more than all the reading in the world.
The fancy word is empathy. If looking for a psychologist or counselor, I would first pay attention to what they say, how they seat themselves (body language), and so forth.
My mother was a natural helper, self taught. She kept helping people to within two weeks of her death. She went to college at 50, kept learning and always caring.
In my own training in psychology, I have met those with highest degrees. The best ones are those who approach helping in the way my mother did.
I am working on my second Master's by the way. The first was in counseling, as is my doctorate, and this second in psychology, the scientific side.

Answer 3

im starting to think that a true psychologist should be someone who has actually walked in others shoes and has had to struggle if you will, and have actually found ways of coming to terms with things. ive talked too alot of doctors that really didnt grasp the depth of despair that a person can feel. its called empathy. im actually thinking about becoming a life coach in a few years. ive kinda worn out the career im in now anyways. i dont know everything yet, but ive gained tons of knowledge through experience and living the nightmare. i truely want to help other never have to feel like i have again. ive been on this computer for about 2 weeks now on yahoo. i cant believe how much good a person can do. so many people are here. im offering myfriendship up to anyone who needs [e-mail]

Answer 4

An interesting term is that, 'a true psychologist.'

Once upon a time, 'psychologist were dry, know it all, omnipotent bunch of wise hats who sat upon high pontificating on the deep divides within the various parts of the human mind, and of how these parts blended together in order to function as a unifying beast for the sake of the body which housed them.'

Very, very few had done any work on themselves, in the realms of self-awareness, of self-exploration and were not required to - until psychotherapy apparently came along and entered their world.

I do realise that I'm speaking in somewhat sweeping terms here.......

Neither Psychologists nor Psychiatrists (from my little experience of them personally) were known for their ability or skills to empathise, they tended to be happy with and work to 'models of behaviour.' Neither were they noted for their humanistic patience nor general bedside manners ...but then, there were a lot of Doctors who were like that in the Medical profession. It's only latterly that 'bedside manners' (possibly known as 'respect') came along as a part of their training.

Quite what a 'true psychologist' is, I've no idea, but I guess it's a case of 'knowing one when I meet him / her.'

Sash.

Answer 5

Someone who can relate to the other person or can unlock the best resolution to wha tthey need help with. A good psychologist also should be 100% true to thier word because if your not the persons mind locks up and sees you as a distrustful person. Put it in thier terms also, if your flood someones head with terms ther dont understand wont be helped.

Answer 6

...truly....we are all psychologists for we each have a relationship with our self. and we each at some time in our life share something with another which will be received in some manner as understood....realized.

what makes a true psychologist is the single-minded purpose to offer and accept the ideas/feelings/ or any living experience of one self or an other......offer and accept for the purpose to share living experiences and realizations to the greater fullfillment of both one and each involved.

a true psychologist contemplates what self and other do be have for purpose and ability in a life.

seeks to share realizations of self and other as it may pertain to each toward this purpose...

and the shareing of realizations we each and all must do.(whether there be aptitude in other ideas and creations within the human living experience of science/technology... or labors in the material world.)

from infancy through childhood into adulthood and old age.

the experiences of life teach us about ourselves either incidentally or with the purpose in mind to communicate same.

not a single one of us escape discovering self-realization by relationship with other humans .. the animal and plant and mineral world.

it just is....

be well

Answer 7

An interest in people, for a start.
Being able to read between the lines.
And most importantly the ability to make very good guesses based on very little information..

Answer 8

I went to therapy a few times when I was little and the best psychologists were the ones who understood my situations, my feelings, and the solutions. They didnt make me feel guilty, they made me want to change myself and better understand how to solve problems.

Answer 9

Not sure, but I guess they need to listen and hopefully understand what makes a person tick.
Maybe come up with some useful advice?

Answer 10

The link below is to Baylor University's program to give you an idea of what courses they would have to take to earn the degree.

Iowa State is there as well to compare and contrast.

Answer 11

I would say that anyone that concerns themselves with the thinking patterns of others would qualify as a "dime-store psychologist"