Blog 67: "What Would You Change About Psychology, If You Could Do It All Over Again?"

Great Question, Thank you!
My answers are based upon my opinion and experiences in the field of psychology. Below are some of the issues that I would do change about the field of psychology which include the following: 1. The Mistreatment of African-American Psychologists, 2. Teaching Students About State Board Exams, and 3. The Unfair Treatment of Clinical Psychologists. I will also answer a follow-up question pertaining to, Would I Become A Psychologist Again?

1. The Mistreatment of African-American Psychologists
When I was a Bachelor's-level psychology major at the illustrious Fisk University, a Historically Black College and University, (HBCU), I recall mostly great experiences while enrolled in the psychology department. My advisor had a wealth of knowledge about the field, and was very supportive in my decisions. She gave me good background knowledge about her specialities and I remember one time we had an in-vivo demonstration from her which definitely killed my thoughts about animal research. This also pushed me to considered clinical psychology with school-age children. It helped that I loved children, and had been around them since I was a teenager. This is the reason why I started working in daycare centers on summer breaks which allowed me to better understand child development.

During my Senior year at Fisk, the psychology department had a guest speaker who was an African-American male Psychologist. It was easy to feel proud of any African-American Psychologist, especially at a HBCU because it was very rare to speak to one let alone a male. This should have been a proud moment for all of the students, but as we lined up to talk to him one-on-one, I noticed something strange. He was telling all students whether or not we could be "ever" be Psychologists, (I always capitalize Psychologist even if it's supposed to be typed in lowercase), based upon our grade point average (GPA). That felt weird to me; how would he know? 

I am a silent observer of behaviors; always have been, and I noticed a few of the females with different facial expressions after speaking to this Psychologist. I wonder if some of my fellow former-psychology majors remember this moment? It is a flashbulb memory for me, (episodic memory), because it was significant enough to for me to remember the details of this one experience. I was one of the last students to walk up to him to speak to him and he asked me my GPA. Listen folks, I gave him a RANDOM GPA which was very, very high. He said to me, "No, you will NEVER be a psychologist." I looked at him like he was crazy and walked away. I have always been defiant when people tell me that I will NEVER accomplish something in my life. I remember walking out of the classroom with my A GRADE thinking I'll show him and I will become a Psychologist.

What Would I Change?
Perception: The perception of African-American students and African-American faculty. African-American female professors are consistently rated the lowest by students, and not just in the field of psychology which is sad. African-American female students are perceived as having lower ability, compared to other students. Throughout my time as a psychology student, there were too many instances of having to fight for equality compared to my peers. Mind you, my doctorate was confirmed in 2006 and I still had to defend myself against some faculty. Thank goodness for the strength of other faculty members who could put these professors in their place as needed to protect me.

Nevertheless, that did not always happen while on practicums, pre-and-post doctoral internships, and in other places of employment. It seemed to be a common theme, almost predictive, for some people to be discriminatory or disrespectful in some way due to race. Many African-Americans share these types of experiences and stories, but this perception in psychology needs to change. It bleeds into racial biases, unethical behaviors, discrimination, racial microaggressions, and other areas in psychology that matter such as psychological testing. This behavior is also responsible for the lower percentages of minorities passing the State Board Exams to become Licensed Psychologists. One would think that given the length of the waitlists at mental health centers and hospitals for psychological testing and therapy, some would welcome more of African-American Psychologists because we are needed. Research shows that children respond better to individuals who look like them. Make changes to allow more African-American Psychologists to practice. The American Psychological Association (APA), has "Apologized to people of color in promoting, perpetuating, and failing to challenge racism, racial discrimination, and human hierarchy in the U.S," Resolution adopted by the APA Council of Representatives, October 29, 2021.

That's a Start

When I decided to apply for a doctorate degree, I spoke to my Caucasian-American academic advisor, who was also my professor, and department chair at Tennessee State University (TSU) a HBCU and public institution. He was such a wonderful man who I could not locate after the internet was developed and started to become more advanced. I still cannot find him to thank him. I want to tell him that he was right about my experiences. You see, in 1997 as I contemplated applying to a doctorate program he told me, "You need a Ph.D. over a Psy.D." I asked him why? He said, "Because you are a Black woman and I want to see you obtain your Ph.D." "There will never be a question about your intelligence with a Ph.D." So I'll admit that was odd to me, but I listened.

A Psy.D. if you are unaware of it, is a doctorate in psychology which back then, our old school Ph.Ds did not appreciate at all. It was viewed as a lesser degree and some still hold that belief, unfortunately. Many Psy.D programs are located in places to learn outside of universities which is where the Ph.D degrees are awarded which many claim is one of the problems with the Psy.D. I learned more about the criticisms of the Psy.D long after my former advisor told me not to consider it, but I did think about it and apply to earn it. He was not happy about it but supported me none the less and after all of my applications, acceptances, and travels to visit various Psy.D. and Ph.D. programs, you all know that I decided upon the Ph.D. in 2001 in Chicago, Illinois.

Here's the problem: Fast-forward to today, I recall the faculty members of various institutions not thoroughly explaining the difference between the two degrees. I am hopeful now that this is happening for potential doctoral students, and that their decisions to attend are also based upon their own research but not due to being told what should happen to them due to race. Now, in my former advisor's defense, he told me what he thought was best for me and for my experiences going forward, and he was right about a lot of it. His doctorate was in education and he told me not to obtain an Ed.D. at all because his prediction was that it will become "obsolete with time and it is not the right degree for you in your future."

My former advisor had an Ed.D. from many, many years ago probably dating back to the early 50's when life was quite different for Caucasian men versus African-American people as a whole. His perception was based upon how he thought I would be treated as an African-American female Psychologist, not knowing that one day we would have the first male African-American President, Barack Obama, and years later, an African-American and Asian American woman as Vice President, Kamala Harris. We can all understand why he may have been trying to protect me by strongly opposing any other doctorate degree except the Ph.D., for me. I understand now what he was doing, but I could have had these same experiences as a Psy.D. which became popularized during and long after I finished my doctorate. Psychologists should respect, encourage, and support our training programs for the doctorate of psychology degree; we can still do a lot better, which is another area that I would change.

​2. Teaching Students About State Board Exams
Speaking of my former advisor at TSU, evokes another change I would make which is teaching clinical psychology students about the process to become a Licensed Psychologist. All licensed fields have a process to become licensed, (e.g., Attorneys take the bar exam), but I would like for more students to be aware of our process in psychology prior to majoring in it. There is no reason to pay for degrees in psychology without understanding what it actually takes to become a Psychologist from financials to studying for your license. That would include the licensing process in education for School Psychologists as well. I saw a TikTok video of a woman, now a school psychologist, who started a new job with a school district without knowing the heaviness of the job responsibilities. How do you not know what it takes to be an actual school psychologist in a school? To avoid this foolishness, research and learn about your chosen career before you apply for the degree, and ask questions to those in the field. 

My former universities did not lecture about the licensing process for School or Clinical Psychologists. However, when I had questions about what the processes would take for both specialities, I went to the State Board of Education and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to read. I also called both regulation boards to ask questions. I still call my State's Board of Ed or one of my National Associations when I have questions. They gladly answer and assist me to clarify my concerns. What you need to know is on those websites which will assist you with being well-versed about your responsibilities, including ethics, early in your career in psychology. That is what I want to see change, even at the universities and college level. We do a disservice to students not preparing them for licensing boards. Students will also benefit from educating themselves about psychology. I read comments such as, "I will just listen to people and they will get better." Newsflash, we do not attend school for years to learn how to listen to people. Psychology is a science and not easy. Many of us are in school longer than some medical doctors which is surprising for some, but true.

What Would I Change?
My Past Research: If I could change time, I would have researched my field better to determine the licensing requirements. You do not want to enter this field ignorant. I was somewhat unschooled in psychology when I made the decision to go into school psychology, but it was my advisor who sent me to a school and a hospital for my practicum experiences. He knew that I was torn with both speciality areas, and decided to give me a yearly experiences in both which let me to finish my Master's degree in psychology with an emphasis in school psychology. The interesting part of this story is that I still could not decide between pursuing a doctorate in school or clinical psychology. I enjoyed both of my practicum experiences; however, it was my practicum at MeHarry Medical College, a HBCU in Nashville, dedicated to providing health care education that focused my attention more toward clinical psychology. 

3. The Unfair Treatment of Clinical Psychologists
Unfair Treatment: This topic is heavy to me and would require an entirely new blog post. Basically, other specialities in psychology do not need to meet the same requirements as Clinical Psychologists. For States to require Clinical Psychologists to meet certain requirements prior to practicing that other specialities do not need is ludicrous and unjustified. For example, a doctorate level Psychologist who was not educated at an APA accredited university cannot be called a "Psychologist," but a School Psychologist can call themselves a School Psychologist at the Master's level. Not to mention, a School Psychologist typically has a certification or license pending their State's Board of Education requirements and title, and they do not have to be educated at an APA accredited institution or apply with the State Board to receive that certification or license. How does that make sense? Yet, a doctorate level Psychologist who attended a non-APA accredited institution will, more than likely, not be able to become licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in their State or it is very hard to obtain approval. Yet, doctorate level School Psychologists from APA accredited universities can be licensed, as approved by their State Board. University professors are usually not licensed with the exception of Clinical Psychologists who are faculty in clinical psychology programs. It is a lot of work teasing through the requirements and fair versus unfair treatment. What I do know is that there are a lot less minorities practicing privately as Clinical Psychologists. I can go on and on about the unfair treatment for Clinical Psychologists because it really is concerning for me.

What Would I Change?
Accountability. To be called a Psychologist is an honor, but field needs some attention and adjusting. More specifically, each State, legislators, and the APA and provincial boards should consider the impact that their requirements place upon the public and the future of clinical psychologists. I am also referring to the amount of money it takes to become a Clinical Psychologist, not to mention the stress due to the financial strain. Some of the costs are just money-makers and it is unnecessary to make becoming a Clinical Psychologist as expensive as it has been for years. At minimum, we should educate those seeking degrees in psychology in financial planning. Some universities DO teach their students about licensing requirements, and some professors will discuss the financial obligations of becoming a Psychologist. For example, one of my professors at the Master's level used to talk to me about the pay schedule for School Psychologists being the same as classroom teachers. She told me about yearly raises and the salary structure school districts, including the +30 credit hours for a salary increase. I was lucky and understood the salary structure prior to joining a school district in the late 1990s. Other students are not receiving that type of education which is something that I would change, even for doctorate clinical psychology students, who may be surprised by the cost to obtain a license. 

Would You Become a Psychologist Again?
​Originally, I always wanted to become a brain surgeon. To this day, I still have a fascination with the structure and functioning of our brains. I decided against that field when I learned how long I would have to attend school. Now, go figure that one out considering how long I went to become a Psychologist (insert eye roll). In all seriousness, I would have been a Biologist studying marine animals such as dolphins, sea turtles, and probably orcas. I was torn between biology and psychology in undergrad. My love for animals is strong, especially marine animals, and I would love to live by the ocean. More than likely, I would have lived in Floria or the Caribbean somewhere such as Key West, with a career that put me near the southern Atlantic ocean.

As I age, I am learning to do more of the things that I like in life and I want to volunteer to work with marine animals in the future. Even thinking about it makes me happy, but would I become a Psychologist again if I could start all over again? No. Surprising? I would have majored in biology if I could have predicted my future in psychology. However, my former advisor at TSU knew what I would face. He told me being a Black female Psychologist would be a hard and difficult journey for me and he was right. He was also correct about how I needed a Ph.D. and it would cover a lot of my negative experiences because there is NO denying my clinical judgment. If I do not do anything right in psychology, my clinical judgment is sound.

To summarize why I would not become a Psychologist again is because I am not in-love with my field, nor has it made me content all of these years. I have been more grumpy about it than pleased. I hope that future African-American Psychologists will feel much better about the field of psychology than I have for over 20 years. No, I do not hate it just not excited about it. It seemed to be a lot easier for my White counterparts from licensing to job opportunities and trust from the public.

I would not enter this field again and go through everything that I had to in order to be successful at it. Despite it all, I have met some outstanding Psychologists, parents, and children throughout the years who are valuable to me and keep me going in the field of psychology. The kids definitely keep me young. I stay in this field to see changes in children and to inspire parents. I am rare, an African-American female Psychologist. I still hear from students who tell me I am the first African-American Psychologist that they ever met... in 2022. So, I cannot leave yet because who will inspire and encourage them if I am the 1st?

Sure, we all have a testimony and by writing out my experiences on this blog aspiring and young Psychologists can learn from it. Needless to say, my matriculation in psychology was too hard. Most of it due to race, but a lot of it was from job experiences that included many racial disparities. Throughout the years I thought, "I could own a bed & breakfast in the Caribbean instead of dealing with this mess" at times. Also, "At least I would be near the ocean and happy." However, happiness comes from within and I made it. I do appreciate my experiences because without them, I would not be here to share them with all of you. You make me happy!
Amen!