The Unprofessional Look

[cara susanna]

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My sister and I actually were going to try wearing really bad clothes for a few weeks and then nominating each other.

 

[futureapppsy2]

^
That's awesome...

However, I would hate to be one of the people on that show legitimately and be just ramroded over how terrible my clothes were... I've only seen an episode or two, but the hosts were too harsh for my liking.

 

[Aerin Sol]

I've seen many clinical psychologists who wear sweatpants nearly everyday, or 50 year old men with ponytails, or those who look unshaved and unkempt, or mullets, or who constantly wear novelty ties, or only dress in flannel shirts everyday.

Hmm, one of these things is not like the other.

The last therapist I saw was always incredibly well-groomed. Perfect hair, well-done make-up, professional heels, and a pantsuit. It made me feel quite uncomfortable wearing my normal jeans and a polo or t-shirt and boots.

 

[Shatani]

My sister and I actually were going to try wearing really bad clothes for a few weeks and then nominating each other.

my friends and i have plans to nominate each other....but i told her me and stacey will have to fight because i am NOT giving up my message tees! lol

 

[panthera]

I asked a professor who is a clinical psychologist about this and he informed me that a casual look will make the patients feel at ease and more comfortable when communicating with you. A professional business attire or white coat can make patients more apprehensive.

 

[JackD]

I asked a professor who is a clinical psychologist about this and he informed me that a casual look will make the patients feel at ease and more comfortable when communicating with you. A professional business attire or white coat can make patients more apprehensive.

I suppose you could take it to the other extreme and dress so formally that people are going to feel apprehensive in your office but that isn't quite what we are talking about. Not every setting calls for suits and lab coats but I think all situations (late night emergencies excluded) call for some level of professional look. There will be various degrees on what is appropriate and what qualifies as professional, depending on many factors. The bottom line, I think, is dressing like a slob while seeing clients is always inappropriate. There is a big difference when going casual means wearing a sweater and khakis versus wearing sweat pants and a worn out t-shirt.

I think you can find a good middle ground between looking professional while still have a more laid back look, if appropriate. However, it seems that many have problems even achieving that.

 

[Ollie123]

I agree that there are people out there like this, but I'm really not convinced this is as widespread a problem as you are making it out to be. Many of us have met psychologists who dress like bums, but they are definitely not the norm. Find me any profession where people don't "really" have a boss and you'll probably find an equal number of people dressing poorly. We all agree they probably shouldn't, especially when interacting with the public but if they are tenured or in private practice, what is to be done?

Of all the crap that people are doing in this profession, I think dressing poorly is a relatively minor concern. I'd much rather see a therapist wearing sweatpants and doing CBT than one in a suit doing primal scream therapy🙂

 

[psychmama]

I'd much rather see a therapist wearing sweatpants and doing CBT than one in a suit doing primal scream therapy🙂

For some reason this paints a highly incongruous picture.

 

[JackD]

Of all the crap that people are doing in this profession, I think dressing poorly is a relatively minor concern. I'd much rather see a therapist wearing sweatpants and doing CBT than one in a suit doing primal scream therapy

Of course there are bigger concerns in the field and clearly competence is at the top but I don't think we need to choose between looking normal and being good at what we do. I am fairly certain these are not mutually exclusive attributes.

Really if you want to improve the image of the field and instill some trust, what easier way to do it than looking professional. It is quite simple and goes a long way That is what the medical doctors did in the 1800's. They started wearing those white coats to convey the image of professionalism and adherence to science. Obviously, just as with medicine, in psychology adhering to those things is far more important than just looking like you do but when it comes to the general population trusting those in psychology, which there certainly are problems with, looks can go a long way.

Now of course, as I have said all along, most psychologists do put in that effort to look neat and clean but I, along with many other people here, have noticed many who do not. Such behavior could harm the reputation of the field if it causes the general population not to trust us.

 

[Shatani]

For some reason this paints a highly incongruous picture.

i rather enjoy the image!

 

[deleted176373]

For some reason this paints a highly incongruous picture.

Oh, we have one professor, who's attire I cannot describe beyond the fact that it would be more appropriate for a kindergarten art teacher than psychologist. Anything more specific would be inappropriate and unprofessional.

Mark