Hey all, I'm preparing for Master's studies in Counseling Psychology (but am also considering eventually pursuing research, organizational, etc. if I find I can have higher general impact through those). I would love to study trauma psych and effective approaches to working with vulnerable/dispersed/refugee communities, and currently plan to focus my studies around that.
Are there any resources that people here could offer in regards to using a psych career in an EA framework? Thanks!
I'm sure you've read this paper that guides young psychologists like you in some useful directions: https://psyarxiv.com/8dw59/
If you're committed to mental health then the research agenda for the Happier Lives Institute is useful to consider: https://www.happierlivesinstitute.org/ or scaleable online interventions like those of Spencer Greenberg's team (see MindEase and UpLift: https://www.sparkwave.tech/)
If you're more flexible, then your skills from counselling psychology would be useful in movement building (because basically you learn how to be a warm, supportive person who helps people change behaviour [in this case, maybe careers]): https://80000hours.org/problem-profiles/promoting-effective-altruism/
Personally, I switched out of clinical/counselling work because it was so difficult to scale. There are also many more psychologists (etc.) in wealthy countries per head than there are overseas, so many other options are more neglected https://founderspledge.com/stories/mental-health-report-summary
Hi, when I was 17, this PhD psychology dude did not take my dad’s violence seriously. And too much of the field seems to be about mechanisms of control.
I’m going to post a link to a Youtube video about a therapist who almost took a religious model approach. For example, he would sometimes cry with his patients.
But he took on a heavy caseload and burned himself out after 10 years.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Fi32LbXHA
Why I Quit Being a Therapist -- Six Reasons by Daniel Mackler
He’s more against drugs and medication than maybe he should be. But all in all, makes some excellent points.
Also an example of how when a person is really good and highly dedicated to their job, no, they tend not to get support from colleagues. Because they are basically showing up their colleagues (whether they intend to or not).
These are great, thank you! Would you mind saying what you switch your career to after counselling work?