Interview+with+Joan+Pinhas

**Licensed Psychologist ** **1720 South Bellaire ** **Suite 805 ** **Denver, Colorado 80222 ** **303.759.5543 **   1. I am a licensed psychologist.  2. I am in private clinical practice so I am my own boss.  3. Wanted: A licensed psychologist who is willing to participate in a private clinical setting. Responsibilities include working with eating disorders in both adolescent and adult populations, women’s issues including adjustment, depression, anxiety and trauma, marital therapy and family therapy. Must be well versed in both psychodynamic, self-psychology and systems theory. Must have expertise in diagnosis and assessment for a wide range of issues. Must be able to work independently and perform all necessary functions related to a private practice setting, e.g., billing/insurance reimbursement, record keeping and case management.  4. Initially, I was trained as a speech-language pathologist with a master’s degree. I worked both clinically with language- and hearing-impaired children. I also had a full-time faculty position in the department of speech pathology at Ithaca College. It was at that time that I became very curious and interested in the broader area of children’s thinking and reasoning and how it related to language development. I then enrolled in the doctoral program at Cornell University and specialized in developmental psychopathology.  5. I received my bachelor’s degree from SUNY Buffalo and majored in speech pathology. I obtained a master’s degree in speech pathology from Ithaca College. I received my doctorate in developmental psychopathology from Cornell University. I completed a post-doctoral fellowship in developmental disabilities at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Finally, I completed a full-time marriage and family therapy training program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 6. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">Initially, I was a researcher in an academic setting. After the birth of my son, I decided to attempt clinical practice. At that time I already had extensive assessment expertise but lacked adequate clinical training. That’s when I enrolled in the marriage and family therapy training program. Since that time, I have specialized in eating disorders treatment as well as women’s issues and couples/family therapy. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 7. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">I not only completed the MFT program but sought private clinical supervision with a psychiatrist who had expertise in both intrapsychic and systemic treatment. This supervision was weekly and lasted for one year. I now am in a weekly peer supervision group. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 8. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">My initial expectations were to conduct research in the intersection of language and cognitive issues with deaf and language-impaired children and adults. After doing this for several years, I became interested in doing more direct clinical work with adolescents and adults. I began by working in a variety of institutional settings and then moved into private practice. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 9. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">I don’t believe that I made any sacrifices in pursuing this career. I’ve always followed my intellectual interests/passions and have always been a somewhat driven person. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 10. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">Working with patients who are deeply ambivalent about making change in their lives is the most challenging part of my job. I don’t find this stressful though. I find it fascinating. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 11. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">Watching your patients explore and grow is very satisfying. But I have to admit that the most enjoyable part of my work is having the privilege of getting to know my patients and learning from them. They keep me in line! <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 12. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">I don’t think I would choose a different career. I’ve been on my own evolutionary path and am exactly where I want to be. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 13. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">I don’t think there have been many surprises for me. I come from a very psychologically-minded family and sort of knew what this whole process was about prior to entering the field. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 14. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">I am definitely a more psychologically stable person both as a result of my training and the work I do with my patients. I spent many years in my own individual therapy working through my issues so I can be more personally fulfilled and a better psychologist. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 15. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">My suggestion would be to try to volunteer in a mental-health setting. This may be difficult to achieve so perhaps you can volunteer in a school setting working with children. Also try to do some work in a peer counseling program both now and at the university level. Another possibility would be to becoming a “Big Sister”. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 16. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">A Ph.D. program is not absolutely required to work in this field. There are some master’s programs that would allow you to work in an institutional setting under supervision of a Ph.D. If you want to be in an academic setting or in a private practice setting you will need either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. These are the terminal degrees in psychology and are necessary if you want to be licensed. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 17. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">You might be eligible to work in a mental health agency without a Ph.D. Your opportunities will be limited but may be a great way to begin a career before pursuing a Ph.D. It may also be a good way for you to have work experience that may help narrow down an area of specialization you may be interested in pursuing.
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">Joan S. Pinhas, Ph.D. **

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 18. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">Yes I do believe this is my terminal career. I have many hobbies that I love and that give me balance, but ultimately, I love this work. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 19. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">I have not been significantly affected by the economy but it may be too soon to tell. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium';"> 20. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">Doctor heal thyself! <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">Good Luck Jordan!! <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium','sans-serif';">