Informational Interview: Psychology INTERVIEWEE: ELIZABETH GARZARELLI INTERVIEWER: RACHEL GARZARELLI

Elizabeth specializes in working with…..  Individual adults experiencing trauma  However, she also works with adults and children experiencing…  Anxiety  Depression  Relationship problems  Struggles with beliefs

Typical Day  5-6 clients per day for one hour each  Typically get paid at the end of each session  10 minute breaks in between  During the session…  Ask lots of questions  Help clients come to their own answers  Take lots of notes  Possibly use EMDR

Getting Started  Education  Elizabeth: English undergrad, then psychology in graduate school  Usually a master’s degree is needed to work in counseling  Typical path  Get master’s degree  work for an agency  work in private practice

Getting Started (continued)  During college, volunteer somewhere where you directly help people!  Elizabeth worked at a homeless shelter, and with Hmong refugees  Find a good clinical supervisor to be your mentor  You WILL run into problems!

Necessary Traits/Skills  Listening  Patience  Empathy  Compassion  Curiosity about people  Organization/documentation  Willing to do paper work for insurance

Challenges and Rewards Biggest Challenge: Dealing with insurance companies Biggest Reward: Seeing people grow, become happier, achieve goals, and let go of negative thoughts of the past

Related Careers  Social worker  Researcher  Psychology professor  Marketer