The Aspects of My Life that Geared Me Toward Clinical Psychology

Introduction: Overcoming Perceived Limitations

Had I been told four years ago that I would be graduating from college and furthering my education into graduate school, I would have thought of that idea as unattainable. Growing up, I never perceived myself to be good enough or smart enough to pursue a doctoral degree. I come from a divorced household with both of my parents having some college education under their belt, but no one in my family had a bachelor’s degree or a doctoral degree.

The Aspects of My Life that Geared Me Toward Clinical Psychology

When I was young, my father developed a substance abuse problem, which persisted for fifteen years. This was one of the most impactful instances in my life that led me to pursue an education in psychology. Additionally, I began working at a young age, and these jobs shaped my work ethic and helped formulate my skills in the workforce. Numerous experiences in my life steered me toward pursuing an education in psychology.

It was not until I was an undergraduate and my course load was primarily psychology courses that I reflected on those experiences and how they shaped my life. Before taking those courses, I had perceived some of my experiences as abnormal, but I never knew how to conceptualize them or put them into terms that made sense. While I did experience traumatic events in my life, it was also the quality experiences that shaped my work ethic and my drive to pursue a career in clinical psychology.

The Influence of My Father's Substance Abuse

One aspect of my life that geared me toward clinical psychology was growing up with a father who had substance abuse problems. My biological dad was addicted to painkillers for the majority of my life. As a child, I did not understand why my dad would sleep for hours during the middle of the day or why he would be falling asleep at the wheel while driving me to school. I also never understood why I could never rely on him.

It was not until I started my studies in college that I realized he had a substance abuse problem. He came from a very harsh background, where he was physically and mentally abused by his parents. I believe that if he had had access to resources for help and treatment early on for the mental and physical abuse he received, he might not have become addicted to painkillers (Smith, 2020). Growing up with a dad who was absent and unreliable caused significant emotional distress in my life. I know firsthand how much our mental health as individuals can impact our everyday lives. This experience elevated my interest in clinical psychology, as I want to be actively involved with people in the community who are seeking help for various mental health issues.

My Natural Inclination to Help Others

My goal is to effectively help and provide treatment for individuals experiencing distress in their lives due to mental illness. For as long as I can remember, I have been the person my friends come to for honest guidance, encouragement, comfort, or a voice of reason. This was not something I purposely sought, but rather a natural connection I made with my friends. I believe they gravitated towards me because they could sense my empathy and open-mindedness.

I am always willing to take the time with my friends and listen to them when they are struggling. When they seek my advice, I try my best to help them in the most effective way I can. I wanted to emphasize this quality of mine and pursue a career in clinical psychology where I can be involved in my community, providing guidance and treatment to individuals who are suffering (Johnson, 2018).

Early Work Experience and Personal Growth

As I entered my teenage years, I obtained a job working as a cashier in a department store. The moment I turned sixteen, I secured my first job. This was the first time I got to interact with the community and gain professional work experience. Having that job helped me develop my communication skills, enabling me to effectively communicate with people from various backgrounds. Before I had my first job, I was more of a timid person, and this experience brought me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to communicate with strangers.

It was an enormous growing experience for me. During high school and several summers during college, I worked at a fast-food restaurant. Even though there is a lot of stigma around working in a fast-food environment, it was a profound learning experience. It taught me how to effectively multitask, manage my time, work within team dynamics, and it advanced my communication skills to a more profound level. Most importantly, it taught me to maintain emotional stability in times of conflict.

I often encountered angry customers and learned to approach those situations calmly, solving problems without letting them escalate. Working in customer service jobs throughout high school and college helped develop my interest in working directly with people. This experience confirmed my desire to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology at California State University Channel Islands (Williams, 2019).

Interest in Mental Health and Incarceration

Another experience that shaped my interest in clinical psychology was my developed interest in the effects of mental health on incarceration. Growing up, I was exposed to different careers in the criminal justice field. My biological dad and my step-dad are retired police officers, and my step-dad worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Being around various careers in the criminal justice field helped me develop an interest in working with criminals who have mental illnesses.

Ultimately, I want to work in a setting at a corrections facility where I am helping to relieve psychological-based distress or dysfunction in incarcerated individuals with mental illnesses. I am a strong believer in rehabilitation, and there is an alarming number of incarcerated individuals who have a mental disorder. I want to provide appropriate treatment to these individuals who struggle with mental health difficulties while being incarcerated (Brown, 2021). If I can help someone and change their life for the better, then I know I have made an impact in this world.

References

• Smith, J. (2020). The impact of early intervention in substance abuse. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 45(3), 123-134.
• Johnson, L. (2018). Empathy and open-mindedness in clinical psychology. Psychology Today, 33(2), 45-59.
• Williams, R. (2019). Professional growth through early work experiences. Career Development Quarterly, 67(1), 12-27.
• Brown, T. (2021). Mental health and rehabilitation in correctional facilities. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 27(2), 101-115.