Knowing it all as a psychologist?

[CogNeuroGuy]

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I wanted to get some feedback and input from other forum members, especially those who are psychologists, postdocs, etc...

As a psychologist, is it possible/feasible/expected to essentially be a walking encyclopedia? I get the feeling that, despite going through at least 12 years of post high school education, one cannot know everything, remember everything about all disorders all of the time when treating a patient. So, my question then becomes, what are typical expectancies for a psychologist to diagnose someone, etc.? (I am sure this is something that is covered in a Ph.D. program, but, I always had this thought).

As I study subjects in cognitive, abnormal, personality, social psychology, I think to myself: there is no way in hell that someone could possibly remember every part or even majority of each component in these fields as a practicing counseling or clinical psychologist. I figured, that most will pick a speciality cluster (ADHD, affective disorders, etc.) and emphasize their knowledge on that.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I wanted to get some feedback and input from other forum members, especially those who are psychologists, postdocs, etc...

As a psychologist, is it possible/feasible/expected to essentially be a walking encyclopedia? I get the feeling that, despite going through at least 12 years of post high school education, one cannot know everything, remember everything about all disorders all of the time when treating a patient. So, my question then becomes, what are typical expectancies for a psychologist to diagnose someone, etc.? (I am sure this is something that is covered in a Ph.D. program, but, I always had this thought).

As I study subjects in cognitive, abnormal, personality, social psychology, I think to myself: there is no way in hell that someone could possibly remember every part or even majority of each component in these fields as a practicing counseling or clinical psychologist. I figured, that most will pick a speciality cluster (ADHD, affective disorders, etc.) and emphasize their knowledge on that.

This is typically what happens for the exact reason you've listed--it's simply impossible to be an expert on everything. Should you, as a psychologist, know at least a little bit about a variety of areas of mental health and psychological functioning/phenomena? Yep. Is anyone going to expect you to be exceedingly up-to-date and highly well-read on every condition in the DSM and then some? Nope.

Would I, for example, as a fairly typical adult neuropsychology postdoc refer out a kiddo who was in need of a thorough diagnostic interview and possible treatment options revolving around suspected autism spectrum disorder? You'd better believe it.

 

[CogNeuroGuy]

This is typically what happens for the exact reason you've listed--it's simply impossible to be an expert on everything. Should you, as a psychologist, know at least a little bit about a variety of areas of mental health and psychological functioning/phenomena? Yep. Is anyone going to expect you to be exceedingly up-to-date and highly well-read on every condition in the DSM and then some? Nope.

Would I, for example, as a fairly typical adult neuropsychology postdoc refer out a kiddo who was in need of a thorough diagnostic interview and possible treatment options revolving around suspected autism spectrum disorder? You'd better believe it.

This is what was thinking as well, but it is a relief to hear it from someone such as yourself. BTW, I am hoping to become a practicing clinical neuropsychologist as well!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

There is a risk of becoming too niche....particularly in training now. Some students want to jump right into speciality work w/o having a solid foundation in clinical psych. With that being said, being a generalist seems like a huge mistake...jack of all trades, master of none. There is a happy medium somewhere in between. 😀

Most of the "know it all" types are very niche in their work. I try and see a range of patients, but I know it is still only a sliver of what is out there. The field is just SO broad these days, it is impossible to know much about a lot...let alone everything about a lot.

 

[sockit]

I had sort of similar thoughts to the OP's (which I did not, to my shame, take to the level of moral inquiry OP did), after burning through a load of summer courses: is spacing a reasonable strategy to try to retain these bits and nuggets we acquire in disparate courses over the course of our UG degrees?

I'd quite like to actually build on what I learned from Jan to May in Cognition, rather than dump it so I can fit in the next batch of answers to MC questions.

I was thinking of reviewing lecture & reading notes - every 3-6 months, maybe scanning the textbooks again as well.

 

[psych844]

Would I, for example, as a fairly typical adult neuropsychology postdoc refer out a kiddo who was in need of a thorough diagnostic interview and possible treatment options revolving around suspected autism spectrum disorder? You'd better believe it.

How would you get an idea that they have autism? (if you are not an expert in the area)

 

[erg923]

How would you get an idea that they have autism? (if you are not an expert in the area)

Clinical training will expose you to wide variety of cases, so you will have a basic idea of how different diagnosis look/present. Even if not, you will still have a vague recollection of the DSM criteria and how that would look clincially. For example, I have never officially seen a case of Anorexia, but I know what most of the criteria are off the top of my head. But there are so many subtleties and differentials with a diagnosis like Autism, it would alsway be advisable to refer to a specialist for official assessment and treatment.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Clinical training will expose you to wide variety of cases, so you will have a basic idea of how different diagnosis look/present. Even if not, you will still have a vague recollection of the DSM criteria and how that would look clincially. For example, I have never officially seen a case of Anorexia, but I know what most of the criteria are off the top of my head. But there are so many subtleties and differentials with a diagnosis like Autism, it would alsway be advisable to refer to a specialist for official assessment and treatment.

This (and what psycscientist posted). I don't typically work with individuals with autism, but between my grad and internship training and associated clinical experiences, I know enough about it to be able to send an appropriate referral, and to be able to glean useful information from the report from said referral.

 

[NotTheHoff]

Knowing what you don't know in relation to what you know is crucial to being a psychologist so that you know when and how to properly refer people for services to those you know know what you don't know.

No?

 

[CogNeuroGuy]

I would definitely agree with this logic as well. Someone's metacomprehension of their limits and strengths towards practicing should make for a pretty mindful psychologist.

 

[voyeurofthemind]

Does a pediatrician have extensive knowledge about neurosurgery? Nope. If I've learned anything in my graduate training it is that I could spend a lifetime in school and likely not be an expert on every disorder. I've picked my niche areas and focus on those.