Psychologists

Psychologists are frequently in the news. Significantly, the New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA) will be holding their annual convention this weekend in Lake Placid. As a local, I see this as a sign of the growing popularity of our beautiful community, particularly considering that most NYSPA members reside in the southern tier of the state, or in the Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo regions.  As a psychologist, the convention provides an opportunity to describe this most important profession.

I define psychology as the science of behavior, thinking and emotion. People associate psychology with mental health. True, many psychologists practice as psychotherapists, though there are many psychologists whose specialization takes them into far ranging and differing pursuits. There are too many different specializations within the field to mention them all here, however a brief list would include clinical, school, neuropsychology, developmental, educational, forensic, health, and social, industrial, military and physiological psychology. Within these fields, psychologists teach and conduct research in our universities, and provide services related to their sub-specialization.

New York has approximately 10,000 psychologists; the largest group provides services within our hospitals, public schools, and mental health centers. Additionally, many provide services in private practice settings. NYSPA is one the Nation’s largest state psychological associations and is affiliated with the American Psychological Association.

Prior to World War II, psychologists mainly taught and did research in University settings. The war changed that due to the tremendous need for clinical services. Following the war, psychologists began providing health services, which led to licensing in all the states. Since then, psychology has grown to be one of the most popular college majors, while doctoral training programs rapidly expanded.

The academic preparation of psychologists can be described as nothing short of highly demanding. Future psychologists must have a four year major in psychology as an undergraduate, before competing for a place in a doctoral training program. Doctoral training programs in the various health related areas (clinical and school) usually take five or six years to complete, and require an internship and dissertation. Psychologists must pass a comprehensive state licensing exam. While psychologists are highly educated, many participate in ongoing post-doctoral training and education throughout their professional careers.

Increased awareness of the importance of mental health, and its’ relationship to physical health have increased the demand for psychological services. Broadening the availability of psychological services is extremely important if community needs are to be met. Many rural areas like Lake Placid have inadequate numbers of qualified mental health professionals. In some states and in the military, properly trained psychologists are authorized to provide prescriptions for medications used with psychotherapy to treat emotional disorders. These important laws address the acute shortage of qualified physicians available to prescribe.

While the demand for psychological services has increased, health insurers have not placed mental health on an equal footing with physical health. There are many reasons for this, including a continuing bias against mental illness, which leads to people avoiding addressing their conditions due to the expectation of stereotyping and/or social rejection. Fortunately, proposed “parity” legislation would require mental and physical health be given equal insurance coverage. “Parity” has been shown to be an inexpensive, cost effective health improving measure. Moreover health settings offering integrated emotional, behavioral and medical treatments get much better results since so many conditions involve behavior, thinking and emotions. Psychologists have long been proponents of “parity” legislation, as well as laws that would require the greater participation of psychologists within our hospitals.

Welcome to Lake Placid, NYSPA psychologists!

Raymond Havlicek, Ph.D.

Lake Placid, NY