using the title "Dr"

[serotonin]

Hooray, I recently officially became Dr. Serotonin!

I haven't had any opportunities yet to use the title, and won't until post-doc starts and I start seeing patients. But I was trying to think of any other circumstances where it would be acceptable (and more importantly to me, non-douchey) to use it. I called a physician today inquiring about a health procedure, left a message with the physician's assistant, and briefly wondered if I should've introduced myself as Dr. to get a call back sooner. But that's totally douchey and misleading, right? I am new to this!

Also, at what point can one start using the term "neuropsychologist"? After neuropsych internship, after neuropsych post-doc, after licensing, after boarding? Or is that term essentially meaningless without the "licensed" preceding it?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[KillerDiller]

You can always use it when you book flights from now on 🙂.

 

[WisNeuro]

Hooray, I recently officially became Dr. Serotonin!

I haven't had any opportunities yet to use the title, and won't until post-doc starts and I start seeing patients. But I was trying to think of any other circumstances where it would be acceptable (and more importantly to me, non-douchey) to use it. I called a physician today inquiring about a health procedure, left a message with the physician's assistant, and briefly wondered if I should've introduced myself as Dr. to get a call back sooner. But that's totally douchey and misleading, right? I am new to this!

Also, at what point can one start using the term "neuropsychologist"? After neuropsych internship, after neuropsych post-doc, after licensing, after boarding? Or is that term essentially meaningless without the "licensed" preceding it?

In many states, you can't call yourself a psychologist (e.g., officially on business cards etc) until you are fully licensed. So, I'd hold off until at least that part.

 

[Pragma]

You can use neuropsychologist after completion of a 2-year postdoc that meets HC training standards. You can use Dr. whenever it feels appropriate. I personally don't like the title much so avoid it when I can.

 

[Pragma]

In many states, you can't call yourself a psychologist (e.g., officially on business cards etc) until you are fully licensed. So, I'd hold off until at least that part.

Yeah I have heard of that. Or some states it is no "clinical psychologist" until you are licensed. OP, check out your state to see.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Yeah I have heard of that. Or some states it is no "clinical psychologist" until you are licensed. OP, check out your state to see.

RE: "Psychologist," yeah, as I'm not yet licensed, I make very sure to always refer to myself as a post-doctoral fellow rather than as a psychologist. And I then further explain to patients that I'm trained in psychology, and am not a physician/medical doctor.

RE: "Neuropsychologist," as Pragma mentioned, I'd hold off on that until you're both licensed and have completed your two-year post-doc. I'd certainly say there's no need to wait until you're boarded, though.

And RE: "Doctor," I honestly never use it outside of work. Although you can totally now be legit in using the "Dr." prefix when booking flights online. Just be prepared to have to explain that you aren't a physician if there's a mid-flight medical emergency.

 

[serotonin]

hahaha a great comedy sketch would be being on a plane and having a medical emergency and the flight attendants saying "fear not! records show there is a doctor on board!" and explaining, "well you see, I'm a Ph.D; it's a higher degree than the MD, you know, I studied blah blah blah- speaking of which, my dissertation on blah blah found that blah blah...." while someone is choking on a hot dog or something.

my cognitive psych and social psych buddies get to call themselves psychologists as soon as they get their Ph.Ds. How does that fit in with this? Or maybe that is also a state-dependent thing?

 

[KillerDiller]

I was on a flight way back before I even started grad school when a passenger in the set of seats in front of me experienced an emergency. They asked a medical doctor on board to come check on him. The doctor came back and I heard him jokingly tell the stewardess "Actually, he just had a panic attack. You should see if there's a psychologist on board."

That always stuck with me.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

"Actually, he just had a panic attack. You should see if there's a psychologist on board."

That always stuck with me.

I actively avoid mentioning my job, as that always seems to lead to 100 questions and when I travel I just want to be left alone. I actually love traveling, but being in a cramped plane is not awesome for anyone over 6'0" and not in first class.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

hahaha a great comedy sketch would be being on a plane and having a medical emergency and the flight attendants saying "fear not! records show there is a doctor on board!" and explaining, "well you see, I'm a Ph.D; it's a higher degree than the MD, you know, I studied blah blah blah- speaking of which, my dissertation on blah blah found that blah blah...." while someone is choking on a hot dog or something.

my cognitive psych and social psych buddies get to call themselves psychologists as soon as they get their Ph.Ds. How does that fit in with this? Or maybe that is also a state-dependent thing?

There are usually stipulations in state licensing codes that individuals with doctorates in psychology are able to call themselves "psychologists" when operating/functioning in an academic and/or research environment. Thus, once you've been awarded your own Ph.D., you could call yourself a psychologist when dealing with research, lecturing, etc. The restriction of the term applies to other settings, particularly when clinical work is involved.

 

[cara susanna]

So if you're not licensed, if someone asks you at a party what your job is, you can't say "psychologist"?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

So if you're not licensed, if someone asks you at a party what your job is, you can't say "psychologist"?

I personally wouldn't until I'm licensed...although if you're a professor/instructor, one could probably make the argument that you're referring to your academic duties, so it'd be appropriate. Or if you did, and the person started bringing up professional opportunities, you could just say that you aren't yet licensed. I generally just say I'm a postdoctoral fellow and then change the topic, seeing as how I try to avoid talking about work outside of work whenever possible.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

This is very much a state-level issue, as there is enough variance to make it confusing. In the two states I have practiced licensure was required to use the title of psychologist.

An interesting aside, TX recently won better protection for the title of psychologist; I'll post another thread about it.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

I personally can't think of when I have used it in a non-professional setting, other than sending mail back and forth with my grad school buddies. A "we did it!" sort of thing.

Even with psychotherapy clients, I introduce myself by my first name and last name because it seems to help with rapport. The office staff refers to me as Dr. when scheduling, so they understand that i have my degree. One exception is when they are nasty to the office staff. In those cases, I like to assert some authority and make it clear I'm a Dr.

I will notice that the psych doctorates who like to use Dr. everywhere (credit cards, home address labels) tend to be the grads of what we think of as the less legit programs (e.g., Argosy). Perhaps this was because their main motivation to get their degree was the title rather than quality training? Just a hypothesis.

Best,
Dr. E (hey, SDN is a professional setting, so I can totally use the Dr. 🙂)

 

[WisNeuro]

I personally can't think of when I have used it in a non-professional setting, other than sending mail back and forth with my grad school buddies. A "we did it!" sort of thing.

Even with psychotherapy clients, I introduce myself by my first name and last name because it seems to help with rapport. The office staff refers to me as Dr. when scheduling, so they understand that i have my degree. One exception is when they are nasty to the office staff. In those cases, I like to assert some authority and make it clear I'm a Dr.

I will notice that the psych doctorates who like to use Dr. everywhere (credit cards, home address labels) tend to be the grads of what we think of as the less legit programs (e.g., Argosy). Perhaps this was because their main motivation to get their degree was the title rather than quality training? Just a hypothesis.

Best,
Dr. E (hey, SDN is a professional setting, so I can totally use the Dr. 🙂)

I think it varies depending on where you are. In a medical setting, we use "Dr." in all settings, interactions with patients included. In some settings, psychologists already have to deal with MD's treating us as beneath them, so we'll assert that. If, after I've been introduced to an MD, they refer to me by Mr. or my first name, I address them likewise. If they object, I ask them to respect my title in the same way. I haven't had any problems yet.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

I think it varies depending on where you are. In a medical setting, we use "Dr." in all settings, interactions with patients included. In some settings, psychologists already have to deal with MD's treating us as beneath them, so we'll assert that. If, after I've been introduced to an MD, they refer to me by Mr. or my first name, I address them likewise. If they object, I ask them to respect my title in the same way. I haven't had any problems yet.

Lol on calling MD's "Mr." I agree if I were in a hospital setting or something, I'd use Dr. more. I'm in a PP and I think that is quite different. I should have specified my setting.

But there is no excuse to have Dr. on your credit cards. 😉

Dr. E

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Lol on calling MD's "Mr." I agree if I were in a hospital setting or something, I'd use Dr. more. I'm in a PP and I think that is quite different. I should have specified my setting.

But there is no excuse to have Dr. on your credit cards. 😉

Dr. E

Haha I had a friend who did that as a joke. You should've seen the eye rolls he got from waitstaff and bartenders.

I agree re: the PP aspect, though, at least based on my experiences. Using "doctor" is definitely more variable and at least somewhat less-frequent in that setting.

 

[Pragma]

I think it varies depending on where you are. In a medical setting, we use "Dr." in all settings, interactions with patients included.

In my experience in a psychiatry department, the office staff used it with scheduling and when referring to you in front of patients. But I was never going to expect them to always call me Dr. ___. First name basis with the people you work with fosters better relationships (unless I guess you are one of those people who insist on formally acknowledging the heirarchy in all interactions. If that is the case, then please don't work where I work).

With patients, it's good to go with what they seem most comfortable with. I was really young when I got my PhD. Hiding behind the title to try to assert authority in the relationship was just never my style. I just would say "You can call me ___ if you would like" and go from there. Let your presence and knowledge speak for itself. If you are confident and have good clinical skills, then you should never need the title to assert yourself (IMO).

I know a lot of people that are on a first name basis with their MDs. I think when you develop a good relationship with someone in charge of taking care of you, that isn't a problem at all unless you somehow let that affect appropriate professional boundaries.

 

[ImSkyKid]

This may be due to being in the military, but it bugs me when grad students refer to faculty by their first name and not Dr. ____. I feel like its a title that deserves respect, especially in a subordinate-supervisor type of relationship.

But maybe I've just been conditioned to expect an epic butt-chewing if I refer to Capt. Kirk as Jim.

 

[PHD12]

The novelty of the Dr. title wore off for me in 1 week!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

This may be due to being in the military, but it bugs me when grad students refer to faculty by their first name and not Dr. ____. I feel like its a title that deserves respect, especially in a subordinate-supervisor type of relationship.

But maybe I've just been conditioned to expect an epic butt-chewing if I refer to Capt. Kirk as Jim.

Or James T. Kirk.

In regard to title and setting...I spend 98% of my time in a hospital setting (including my out-pt clinic), so it is more formal with patients present and less formal when with colleagues. The Rehab Psychologists/Neuropyschologists in my dept. are all full faculty members and have all of the same benefits (and great support from our Chair), so that really helps.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I think it varies depending on where you are. In a medical setting, we use "Dr." in all settings, interactions with patients included. In some settings, psychologists already have to deal with MD's treating us as beneath them, so we'll assert that. If, after I've been introduced to an MD, they refer to me by Mr. or my first name, I address them likewise. If they object, I ask them to respect my title in the same way. I haven't had any problems yet.

I definitely like this attitude.👍

 

[Pragma]

This may be due to being in the military, but it bugs me when grad students refer to faculty by their first name and not Dr. ____. I feel like its a title that deserves respect, especially in a subordinate-supervisor type of relationship.

But maybe I've just been conditioned to expect an epic butt-chewing if I refer to Capt. Kirk as Jim.

I actually appreciated the first name stuff. Was a quasi peer treatment to represent the transition from being a student to being a professional. If I was having a beer with a prof at a holiday party, was I supposed to keep using titles?

Re MDs not using titles: I have worked in a few hospital settings. MDs and psychologists have always addressed each other by first name unless it was a formal interaction. In those cases, I have never heard an MD address a psychologist as anything other than "Dr." And I have worked in a few different specialties.

I guess some people are just jerks! At least in my experience, the MDs have not seemed to have a higher base rate of jerkiness. But every setting is different, I guess.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I actually appreciated the first name stuff. Was a quasi peer treatment to represent the transition from being a student to being a professional. If I was having a beer with a prof at a holiday party, was I supposed to keep using titles?

Re MDs not using titles: I have worked in a few hospital settings. MDs and psychologists have always addressed each other by first name unless it was a formal interaction. In those cases, I have never heard an MD address a psychologist as anything other than "Dr." And I have worked in a few different specialties.

I guess some people are just jerks! At least in my experience, the MDs have not seemed to have a higher base rate of jerkiness. But every setting is different, I guess.

Come to the south, I've seen it quite a few times myself.

 

[leftbrian]

Certainly on this forum you should. 🙄