A completely random question about therapy with law enforcement

[RayneeDeigh]

I just had my last meeting with my assessment prof. He was quite helpful but direct as usual, and he told me that over the holidays I should reflect on what my strengths are because my current career goal is not likely to be one of them (ouch, but at least it's honest).

So I'm throwing ideas around in my head about the kind of clinical work I could do instead of working with incarcerated men... and then I thought that maybe I could gear my work towards the other end of things and specialize in therapy (and research, if I could squeeze a thesis topic out of this) with law enforcement.

Is this a dumb idea? Is it too niche-ish? (say that three times fast, I dare you) I was trying to think like T4C and analyze the marketability of such a specialty and it seems logical in my brain since there are cops everywhere and it seems to me like that's a pretty job that is likely to require a mental health professional from time to time.

I hate being one of the few people in grad school who has no idea what they're doing. Four months ago I was so sure I had it figured out and since I got here everyone's told me I can't do it. And honestly I'm so bad at this I'm thinking they're right and I should stop being stubborn and change my focus. Argh.

Anyway, so opinions anyone?

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[Therapist4Chnge]

Law enforcement is an interesting area......many are very skeptical/intimidated by the idea of therapy (sharing feelings and whatnot), so it can be hard to get "in", though it is great with referrals once you do. A good family friend has made a career with this population, and there is always a need.

Don't totally freak now, take some time to really think it over. The nice thing with a clinical degree is you *do* have flexibility once you get out, so if worst comes to worst....you change your focus again when you get out.

-t

 

[deleted176373]

Well you can work in a variety of law enforcement settings, for example, the air force uses clinical psychologists in their Office of Special Investigations. There are plenty of options.

Mark

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Well you can work in a variety of law enforcement settings, for example, the air force uses clinical psychologists in their Office of Special Investigations. There are plenty of options.

Mark

Yeah except I'm not a US citizen and I don't wanna stay in Canada. Plus I'm anti-military so they'd never want me, haha.

I wish it felt like there were plenty of options... but it definitely seems like I'm stuck. My advisor wants me to do work with sex offenders but my clinical supervisor tells me absolutely not.

At least I get to go home tomorrow and pretend I'm not a grad student.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

You do have some time...don't freak yourself out too much. I know people who came in 100% sure they wanted to work with kids, and after <1 semester they realized that it just wasn't for them. They all landed on their feet, they just needed to adjust their plans. Trust me when I say that plans can and do change in grad school.

-t

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Maybe what I should be doing is talking to my advisor about how flexible he's willing to be about my thesis topic.

God, if I don't come out of grad school with a drug addiction it'll be a miracle.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Maybe what I should be doing is talking to my advisor about how flexible he's willing to be about my thesis topic.

God, if I don't come out of grad school with a drug addiction it'll be a miracle.

Shoot for only a drinking problem, but if you hit a drug addition....at least you'll be DOCTOR Drug Addiction.

-t

 

[deleted176373]

Yeah except I'm not a US citizen and I don't wanna stay in Canada. Plus I'm anti-military so they'd never want me, haha.

I wish it felt like there were plenty of options... but it definitely seems like I'm stuck. My advisor wants me to do work with sex offenders but my clinical supervisor tells me absolutely not.

At least I get to go home tomorrow and pretend I'm not a grad student.

You are anti-military? You see, I am confused when someone is "anti" something. I knew a girl who was anti-gun once, turns out she never fired one, never held one, and didn't really know anything about them. Took her shooting once, let's just say she's not anti-gun anymore. She owns multiple guns now and loves shooting.

Do you have disdain for all those in the military? Do you hate everything that looks, sounds, smells or feels military? For instance are you anti-parade too?

I hate to tell you this but most segments of law enforcement, like it or not, are quasi-military institutions. You are right, as a Canadian, you will have more difficulty in finding law enforcement positions that would not require U.S. citizenship... something about the people arresting and detaining citizens needing to be actual citizens or some such non-sense. However, there are often opportunities for consultants or specialists in specific fields that can do pretty well for themselves.

I guess it comes down to this... what do you want to do? Do you want to work with sex offenders? Why does your clinical supervisor feel so deeply that you should not work with these people? After all your supervisor may have a valid point and is simply trying to protect you. Is it something you can address, correct, and move forward on?


Mark

PS - You don't have to be a US citizen to be in the US military, as strange as that may seem.

 

[GiantSteps]

Raynster,

I have the same question Mark has: why does your advisor not think you can do what you want to do? Also, what is that he thinks you should do? Does your advisor reallly mean your career or simply you research plans? There must be some related area in law enforcement and clinical psychology in terms of either work or study. If the advisor does not feel you have the fortitude to deal with this population perhaps there is a more mild yet similar population, such as, incarcerated women, inarcerated juveniles, incarcerated white collar criminals, families of incarcerated people, etc..

In the end, do not let anyone tell you that you can't do what you want to do, if you think you can really do it. As an old friend used to say, "Where there is a will, there is a dead person!"

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Raynster,

I have the same question Mark has: why does your advisor not think you can do what you want to do? Also, what is that he thinks you should do? Does your advisor reallly mean your career or simply you research plans? There must be some related area in law enforcement and clinical psychology in terms of either work or study. If the advisor does not feel you have the fortitude to deal with this population perhaps there is a more mild yet similar population, such as, incarcerated women, inarcerated juveniles, incarcerated white collar criminals, families of incarcerated people, etc..

In the end, do not let anyone tell you that you can't do what you want to do, if you think you can really do it. As an old friend used to say, "Where there is a will, there is a dead person!"

It's my assessment prof (the one who evaluates my clinical abilities) not my research advisor. He's seen me assess five undergrads so far (one of them had fairly manipulative traits) and told me to find out what my strengths are because he doesn't think I'll be able to work with forensic populations.

Granted, the past four months have been unlike anything I've ever experienced and I definitely wasn't able to focus on learning skills like I wanted to, but he probably has a point. I doubt I can do what I want to do 'cause I can't translate my knowledge into actual skills.

So I guess that's the thing, I'm pretty sure he's right and I can't do it. Now comes the work of trying to find out what I CAN do.

 

[PsyKardinal]

RayneeDeigh

So you have seen 5 undergrad students, 1 who was manipulative and all of the sudden you CANT do it. That is amazing that your prof could make that decision on such limited information. Keep trying you are in school to learn how to do it. I am sure that you will do well, they would not have admitted you if they did not think you had promise.

Jeff

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I think making a decision based on 5 assessments is a bit pre-mature. The advisor may argue that there are traits that may make you less than ideal to work with the population, but it really is tough to say if they will translate across the board and not change.

I would also think you'd want some time to evaluate your own abilities and if that is the population you want to work with. I know I mentioned earlier the people I know who thought they wanted to work with kids, only to realize a semester in that it wasn't a good match. They *did* they work for a semester and didn't really see any change, or at least enough of one to stick around. I think you may be rushing to a decision.

-t

 

[Ollie123]

Seriously - don't give up yet.

If assessment was about innate ability and not learned skills, what the hell are we all doing in grad school?

Sure, you have strengths and weaknesses, but that doesn't mean those won't change over time. If you're a 4th year and still struggling its a problem, but you have done ONE assessment with what sounds like a prisoner-type-individual. How on earth can anyone make a call from that?

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

I just had my last meeting with my assessment prof. He was quite helpful but direct as usual, and he told me that over the holidays I should reflect on what my strengths are because my current career goal is not likely to be one of them (ouch, but at least it's honest).

So I'm throwing ideas around in my head about the kind of clinical work I could do instead of working with incarcerated men... and then I thought that maybe I could gear my work towards the other end of things and specialize in therapy (and research, if I could squeeze a thesis topic out of this) with law enforcement.

Is this a dumb idea? Is it too niche-ish? (say that three times fast, I dare you) I was trying to think like T4C and analyze the marketability of such a specialty and it seems logical in my brain since there are cops everywhere and it seems to me like that's a pretty job that is likely to require a mental health professional from time to time.

I hate being one of the few people in grad school who has no idea what they're doing. Four months ago I was so sure I had it figured out and since I got here everyone's told me I can't do it. And honestly I'm so bad at this I'm thinking they're right and I should stop being stubborn and change my focus. Argh.

Anyway, so opinions anyone?

No one in graduate school has any idea what they are doing. It's like the old masturbating joke--there are those admit to it, and those who are lying.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

No one in graduate school has any idea what they are doing. It's like the old masturbating joke--there are those admit to it, and those who are lying.

That's so true.

Ah well. I guess it's better to be a grad student who admits she knows nothing than a closet masturbator.