Jeff Simpson sees a lot of conflict between couples in his work, but he's
not a therapist. He's a social psychologist who studies conflict between married
couples and dating couples in long-term relationships.
"Basically, my focus is the introduction, development and deterioration
of marriages and heterosexual couples," says Simpson. "I've always been really
interested in how people think, feel and behave, particularly in situations
that are difficult or distressing."
Simpson considered counseling psychology early on, but found he preferred
to work behind the scenes. "I chose to go the research route rather than the
therapy route, because I was more interested in the how and the why as opposed
to the 'What are we going to do about this?'"
For Simpson, figuring out the how and the why means conducting experiments
with married couples from his community, as well as with student couples from
Texas A and M University, where he works. A video camera is a valuable tool
in his research.
"I do a lot of videotaping research, where we bring couples together and
videotape them to see how they interact. Lately we've seen interesting examples
of how people who are involved in relationships turn a blind eye to each other's
thoughts and feelings, and then they don't interpret things properly."
The video camera has allowed Simpson to bring psychological theories to
life. "I've done a couple of studies where we've been able to show in the
lab what therapists have been talking about for years -- examples of how different
people relate."
Things can get even more complicated when a couple has a baby, so he's
been devoting some of his time to this area as well. "Right now I'm doing
a study on first-time parents to see how they make the transition to parenthood,
and how it affects their marriage," says Simpson.
While Simpson's research is conducted in a university laboratory, removed
from a counseling office, his work plays an important part in the way counselors
deal with couples in therapy.
"I do the basic research that's used by therapists in therapy. Here we're
able to take an existing theory in psychology and test it in the lab. Our
findings in the first study have been picked up by clinical psychologists
across the country. They're now using some of the theories we're talking about
and the data we developed in their practices. It's pretty rewarding."
Successful studies like these not only take a lot of hard work, they also
take a lot of money. Simpson says grant money for research projects is getting
harder to come by all the time. This is a constant frustration for Simpson
and many young scientists across America.
"Getting grants for research is getting really difficult. Last year, only
the top six percent of applications got funded," says Simpson. This creates
a frustrating situation for young scientists who need a track record to get
grant money, but can't develop one without projects to work on. "It's really
difficult, especially if you're younger, because your track record plays a
big part in securing grant money."
But Simpson feels especially lucky to be doing something he's wanted to
do all his life. He calls it work, but adds that's only a figure of speech.
"This feels like more of a hobby than an occupation. A hobby I get paid for."
Part of Lorna Tener's job as a clinical psychologist is to teach. In her
private practice, she teaches her clients skills that enable them to "manage
moods, improve relationships, increase self-confidence, overcome stress, gain
freedom over a love-hate relationship with food, or step over barriers to
creativity and accomplishment."
In addition to working with clients in her practice, Tener organizes therapy
training workshops for psychologists, social workers and other professionals
in the field of mental health. The one- or two-day workshops are taught by
professional trainers, and their purpose is to help practicing therapists
improve their techniques.
Tener sees clients for depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders and
relationship problems. Often, clients are referred by a physician or friend,
but they may also choose her themselves. Tener usually sees a client for a
one-hour weekly or biweekly appointment at the beginning of their working
relationship -- appointments may become fewer and farther between later on.
When she first meets a client, Tener does a number of things. "I'm figuring
out what's been bothering the person, trying to establish some sort of human
connection with them and finding out what their goals for therapy are. From
there, I try to work collaboratively with them, helping them get closer to
their goals. It's a combination of art and science which I find both exhilarating
and sometimes frustrating."
The approach Tener takes with her clients is called cognitive therapy,
a collaborative approach to understanding thoughts, feelings and actions,
and how they interact with the world around you.
"The main focus is on the here and now, but for some people, understanding
and coming to terms with early experiences may be an important part of handling
their current situation better," says Tener.
Tener believes that the field of psychology has social importance, "first
by improving the well-being of individuals, and second by offering the possibility
of improving society's well-being by applying what we have learned from psychological
research."
Practicing psychology is a large responsibility, as clients often come
to a psychologist when they are feeling vulnerable and looking for support.
The amount of schooling and training a psychologist must obtain reflects this
responsibility.
A psychologist in solo private practice is in business for herself -- as
with any small business, finding new clients in tough. "Referrals don't just
happen," says Tener. "I have to let people know what I have to offer that
might be of help to them. This would include letting the professional community
know about me, as well as getting known to the general public."
Her workshops help to get her name out to the professional community, and
a website makes information about her practice available to anyone
with Internet access.
Even though Tener needs to keep an eye on her business, she never loses
sight of the fact that she is in a people-oriented business. "Some days marketing
seems to be the hardest part of the job -- sometimes it's some aspect of working
with a client. It's not always easy knowing how much pain people are in."