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Psychologist

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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."