I'm an undergrad student, not in school this semester, looking for work in the field of psychology. I wouldn't mind just doing any menial task that maybe a disorganized psychologist can't find the time to do (office work, etc) or helping with research, just whatever. The only psychologist I know is a guy who saw me as a patient a handful of times, just as a sort of therapy trial period. I'm wanting to talk to him and explain my situation and see if he has any suggestions, knows anyone locally who might need some hired help, or if maybe he needs help himself. But how do I go about contacting him? If I call his office, would it be rude to ask to speak to him directly only to ask about a job? Plus, I feel like a spontaneous phone call would reduce my chances of him actually doing a favor for me. Should I schedule an appointment to see him? Should I just show up at his office and hope he has time to talk?
Networking with a psychologist?
- Thread starter Gotaro
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It would be inappropriate for this person to hire you, as you are a former client/patient. I would recommend simply contacting local psychology departments, medical schools, or research institutions in your area to inquire about volunteering for research opps.
Why is that inappropriate? I saw him maybe five times, and that was four years ago. I'm not saying it doesn't violate professional standards, but I'm confused about why it would.
I really can't afford to volunteer right now, unfortunately. I know this is probably a dumb question, but how do I find local psych departments, medical schools, or research institutions? Are there keywords to look up in the phone book yellow pages?
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While the statutes can vary by state, it is generally considered unethical to have any kind of relationship with a former client/patient, regardless of the number of years that went by. This was put into place to protect both sides.
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It prevents potential exploitation of patients/former patients by psychologists. Google and craigslist are your friend......😉 Paid research positions are competitive and difficult to get without any prior experience/knowledge of research. Almost all of us had to volunteer with faculty in our departments during undergrad to start.
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Here's what American Psychology Association ethics code has to say about potential multiple relationships:
"3.05 Multiple Relationships
(a) A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, (2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated with or related to the person with whom the psychologist has the professional relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future with the person or a person closely associated with or related to the person.
A psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist's objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing his or her functions as a psychologist, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists.
Multiple relationships that would not reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm are not unethical."
It's a appropriately vague. I honestly like the American Counseling Association's code of ethics in terms of this just because it's much more explicit about what to do and more helpful in terms of potential liability and documentation.
"A.5.d. Potentially Beneficial Interactions
When a counselor–client nonprofessional interaction with a client or former client may be potentially beneficial to the client or former client, the counselor must document in case records, prior to the interaction (when feasible), the rationale for such an interaction, the potential benefit, and anticipated consequences for the client or former client and other individuals significantly involved with the client or former client. Such interactions should be initiated with appropriate client consent. Where unintentional harm occurs to the client or former client, or to an individual significantly involved with the client or former client, due to the nonprofessional interaction, the counselor must show evidence of an attempt to remedy such harm. Examples of potentially beneficial interactions include, but are not limited to, attending a formal ceremony (e.g., a wedding/commitment ceremony or graduation); purchasing a service or product provided by a client or former client (excepting unrestricted bartering); hospital visits to an ill family member; mutual membership in a professional association, organization, or community."
In the end it's up to the psychologist/therapist depending on his/her comfort level with the code of ethics. You could ask him/her about it, but previous posters are correct about the ethics codes established for safety issues due to the tremendous amount of trust therapists are given. I'm not saying for or against, but it's something to think about.
"3.05 Multiple Relationships
(a) A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, (2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated with or related to the person with whom the psychologist has the professional relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future with the person or a person closely associated with or related to the person.
A psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably be expected to impair the psychologist's objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing his or her functions as a psychologist, or otherwise risks exploitation or harm to the person with whom the professional relationship exists.
Multiple relationships that would not reasonably be expected to cause impairment or risk exploitation or harm are not unethical."
It's a appropriately vague. I honestly like the American Counseling Association's code of ethics in terms of this just because it's much more explicit about what to do and more helpful in terms of potential liability and documentation.
"A.5.d. Potentially Beneficial Interactions
When a counselor–client nonprofessional interaction with a client or former client may be potentially beneficial to the client or former client, the counselor must document in case records, prior to the interaction (when feasible), the rationale for such an interaction, the potential benefit, and anticipated consequences for the client or former client and other individuals significantly involved with the client or former client. Such interactions should be initiated with appropriate client consent. Where unintentional harm occurs to the client or former client, or to an individual significantly involved with the client or former client, due to the nonprofessional interaction, the counselor must show evidence of an attempt to remedy such harm. Examples of potentially beneficial interactions include, but are not limited to, attending a formal ceremony (e.g., a wedding/commitment ceremony or graduation); purchasing a service or product provided by a client or former client (excepting unrestricted bartering); hospital visits to an ill family member; mutual membership in a professional association, organization, or community."
In the end it's up to the psychologist/therapist depending on his/her comfort level with the code of ethics. You could ask him/her about it, but previous posters are correct about the ethics codes established for safety issues due to the tremendous amount of trust therapists are given. I'm not saying for or against, but it's something to think about.
Just to follow up on this, I called his office and spoke to his secretary. I told her I was a former client from "a long time ago," who was looking for some professional advice. He gave me a call back later that day and was happy to help. He didn't make it seem like it would be inappropriate and didn't hesitate at all, though he said he already had enough students working for him. He gave some suggestions and said he would talk to some colleagues and let me know if they needed any hired help.
Now, how much he was being honest about, I don't know. That's my follow-up 🙂.
Now, how much he was being honest about, I don't know. That's my follow-up 🙂.
