"Now Why Don't (S)He Write?"

** Bonus points if you can guess what movie the title comes from. (Yes, I know this is a grammatically incorrect sentence. But I'm from Ohio, where we end our sentences with prepositions.

On to the Blog

So it's been a crazy couple of weeks. Grad school is in full swing. Many of you have asked lots of the same questions - what's it like? What do you do all day? How many classes do you take? What do you have to do to graduate? How long will it take? When do you get to work with crazy people? Do you have access to the good drugs?

So here are the answers:

What's it like: One of speakers at orientation equated grad school to boot camp, only it lasts for 5 years instead of a few weeks. So far, I have to say that assessment holds fairly true. You do a lot of things that don't make sense, you're tense and nervous, there is no sleeping, and you're constantly being scrutinized. You and the people you go in with develop a tight bond really fast because they're freaking out just as much as you are.

But all in all - I love it. Every day is something new. I'm challenged in ways I never imagined. (when I have more time I'll tell you about my interviewing class and multicultural lab) I'm learning lots of cool stuff every single day. The people (professors and students) are an incredibly interesting group. Every discussion is fun and bright.

For the first time in a very long time - I am right where I'm suppose to be. I feel connected in ways I haven't ever felt.

What do you do all day: Every day is different. Some days are heavy on the class work. Others are more practical. I read and read and read ALL day. Today, I had a class and then worked with my group from my assessment class. We're developing an assessment measure to evaluate the functioning level of children who are survivors of sexual abuse. My professor is impressed. We seem to have hit upon an area that has very few tests and evaluations. The process is difficult and challenging - but we're on the cutting edge. Not bad for First Years (what we're called).

How many classes do you take: Technically, I have four core classes a quarter -this quarter it's Interviewing 1, Assessment, Adult Psychopathology and Multicultural Lab. I also have professional development and practice tutorial (where we learn to conceptualize and present cases). Beside class, I will be working at PECE-Pact, developing and running groups. I am also taking a seminar on Mental Health and Deafness. An interesting note: 1 percent of the population is schizophrenic, 1 percent is deaf. There are thousands of therapists who specialize in schizophrenia and only a handful who are trained to work with deaf populations.

What do you have to do to graduate: I have a ton of course work, most of which is in the first two years. The classes cover pathology, assessment, specific therapies, theoretical orientations, etc. Some are more fun than others. My friend Nicole, who has a masters already, got to substitute Sex Therapy for the assessment 1 class that the rest of us are taking (ask me about her assignments sometime). I also have a ton of practical work. Officially, practicum starts next year. We get to request certain sites all over the region and then get our placements during the second year. In the third year, we take the Clinical Competency Exams, in which we present two cases, conceptualize them from a practicular theoretical orientation, and defend our work in front of a panel of professionals. Yes - we are all anxious about this already. All during this we are working on our dissertations, which we have to complete and defend in year four. During year four, we compete nationally for internships. Year five is the internship year. So that's it. Follow those steps and you too can be a doctor.

How long will it take: Obviously if you don't know this answer you weren't paying attention to the last one. 5 Years.

When do you work with crazy people: I already have. It was called the Stater. Or Davey. Just kidding. We don't call them "crazy."

Do you have access to the good drugs: NO! Stop asking. You are going to make me get up on my soapbox (which all of you know I hate doing ;) about the overuse of psychiatric drugs. Medicating doesn't make the pain go away, people. Wait a minute. Oops. I just knocked over my glass of wine. :)

Okay, so now you know what it is I have jumped into. I don't know what else to say except that I hope each of you finds the thing in your life that makes you feel as "activated" (check out my new pysch lingo) as I am right now.

Peace Out.

Where were you?

It's 9/11. Beside the momentary nod in the media, I guess I haven't really heard much today about the anniversary. It's funny that with the passage of time the anniversaries of horrific things seem to have less gravity. I guess that would only apply to those of us not directly affected. I know that my own personal anniversary of devastation still carries some weight.

Anyway, I was trying to remember where I was when I heard about the attacks. I still remember that when the Gulf War broke out, I was laying in bed after a long practice. My sister came in to tell me we were at war. I told her, "I don't give a shit. Now get out of my room." Gotta love teenagers. I remember where I was when the OJ verdict was announced. I skipped class and sat at the May 4 Memorial at Kent waiting to hear the verdict on my headphones trying to decided when to go into the newsroom.

So that brings me to 9/11. As I remember, I was running that morning around Landen Lake. I had already done the long stretch, turned onto Columbia and headed back to the condos. I ran passed a crew working on the road. They had all stopped and were standing completely still listening to the radio. The first tower had just been hit. I ran the last mile or so as fast as I could. When I got back to the apartment, Kevin was glued to the TV with this look of horror on his face.

I think as Americans we lived with this sense of naive invincibility. It's a luxury we no longer have. I miss some of that naiveté.

New Things To Smile About

What a week. Lots of good things to make you happy to be drawing breath.

First, happy birthday Karen Hodge. Mad and I hope your day was a fabulous birthday and wish we could be down there to tell you in person.

Second, Saturday rocked. Saturday was my convocation. I took my first oath as a doctor-to-be. Fabulous. Then, Maddie and I spent the afternoon with two of the most beautiful and tiny babies - Jackie and Jillian - and their parents and big brother too. I love newborns. They can just put your soul at ease. These two are amazing.

Third, we spent Sunday with Brad at the Popcorn Festival. Great company and mediocre festival food. How can you go wrong?

Fourth, I am so pleased to announce that my two best friends are BOTH expecting babies in the spring. Kelly, Jamie and Peyton Clymer are going to welcome a new little one in March. Erin and Pat Hooper are expecting their first baby in May. I love you guys and can't wait to meet your little ones. Let Baby Watch 2008 begin.

Eight is Great!

Maddie's 8th birthday was this weekend. We had a fabulous birthday/housewarming party. Thanks to all you came and celebrated with us. Here are some pics provided by Karen Hodge:






Maddie and Clare trade Spongebob's arms and legs. The pinata was Spongebob - every parents fantasy - beating the hell out of America's most annoying cartoon character.









The Birthday Girl

Reaping the spoils.

The coolest shot. Willie swings for the fences.

You Say Pica, I Say Psychosis

Last week was the orientation. Beside being incredibly overwhelmed with information, I was struck by the new language of my new profession. What I mean by that is I love the way people in a given field or occupation communicate with one another. And I love the way we learn the language when we're new to the field. I remember being an undergrad learning to use "pica," "word count," "masthead" and "stylebook" in everyday conversation and having everyone around me know what I was talking about. Now, sentences like "By familiarizing yourself with the nomenclature, you will be prepared for the E triple Ps" are beginning to make sense.

Orientation brought up other points of interest. One, in particular, addressed the importance of outward appearance. We had a lecture on professional attire. We were told to be aware that we are in a small community and will probably run into clients when we're not working. We were reminded that we will be working with the mentally ill, many of whom have boundary issues and an inability to read physcial cues. We were reminded of the powerful combination of exposed cleavage and empathy. Guess that means no halter tops and mini skirts. :)

The upperclass students talked to us about how people will react differently toward us now that we are "psychologists in training." The funny thing is I had a real-life example of this today. Maddie and I went to the park to play after school. There was one other parent and child at the park - a single dad and his daughter. Maddie and the little girl played together so, of course, the dad and I started talking. When I mentioned that I am a grad student studying psychology, he asked if I was able to counsel outside of school. I'm guessing that the split from his baby's momma was anything but fun, not to mention it sounded like he was having job issues (as in he doesn't have one). I explained that it was illegal and unethical for me to provide private professional counsel without a license (or training for that matter). He proceeded to ask me out three times. :)

In case you couldn't guess - my answer was no. And before I get any shit from any of you - the guy was a 22-year-old unemployed barely high school graduate who occassionally sees his kid. Somehow, I don't think we're a match.