Sunday, June 04, 2006

My dream

Would be to create a school of psychological practice that "prescribes" the best psychological tool to a person that will help them achieve their goals, in whatever way they define their goals. The "prescription" would be made through the practitioners expertise in two things - one, in knowing the patient and their base motivations, conscious and unconscious and two, through knowing the available psychological tools that matches best with the patient, based on knowing the patient. The practitioners could either deliver the tools themselves or work within their network of professionals to have that tool delivered to the patient by someone else.

I think the best way for me to get there is to be a practicing psychologist. I believe the best way to get to being a practicing psychologist is to go back to school. To do that I need to get some questions answered.

Those questions include:
  • What are the degree options in Phoenix and how do each of those degree options line up with my values and aspirations?
  • Based on what I learn from the question above and assuming I find an option that suits me what are the schooling options - full or part time?
  • Based on that, what works for Beth and I in me pursuing one of those degree options? This will be an ongoing discussion.
  • Based on what we decide would work for us, what are the requirements to pursue one of the options? And, how do we pay for it?
  • What are the things I am willing to give up to pursue this option? How does it fit in with the rest of my values and our aspirations for our life and our future family?
  • Based on all the answers to these questions I would like to begin taking classes by Fall of 2007 for my Masters/PHD in psychology (the Masters/PHD is tbd based on what the answers are to the questions above).
Okay, if you can decipher the ramblings of the previous post and if you are a regular DRB reader, then you will know I am driven from a need for approval. And that instinctual drive is pushing me to say that this is different from Amsterdam b/c I want you to all approve of this idea and I fear that if you think it is just another of Aaron's flights of fancy, like Amsterdam than you won't approve of it. See how it all relates to the instinctual drive that we each operate out of?

Anyway, I thinkit is different that Amsterdam b/c it fits more in line with my values. Here are my reasons for this interest/why it is different:
  • It matches with who I am and the values that are important to me - my highest values of understanding myself and others.
  • It is something I have thought about for a long time and something I knew I wanted to do (unlike AMS which came out of nowhere really).
  • I am interested in making it happen in a way that integrates my current reality, especially as it comes to home, family and friends (which are my personal "higher" values). It is not a complete switching of reality.
  • I want to do it an thoughtful manner that ensures its realization. I am willing to take the time to do the research and find out what options are best. I am willing to look at the up and downsides and willing to be honest about what it would mean.
  • I am actually looking at the above criteria through a lens which says, how would this affect Beth's life - its not all about me. Basically if we were to decide it is the best for US, only then would I move on.
  • It is not an immediate, flash in the pan kind of thing, I know it will take time and hard work.
  • It is not an escape - although my current job isn't exactly motivating me and I don't think it will intellectually/emotionally stimulate me over the long term, I am not running away, I am just evaluating options.
  • I want to do it! I want to go to grad school, I always have, I want to learn about psychology and learn how to do research and learn how I can use my skills to be an "expert" - I don't just want to be a guy who is interested in psychology, I want to be a guy who studies and knows and practices psychology.
So there!

PS - Beth had a good point on reviewing this; she said for me to not discount Amsterdam and my desire to move there, b/c if I wouldn't have had that desire I might not have looked into ways to move there and never discovered the really cool program the University of Amsterdam had in psychology and that could be one of the things that made me realize there may be programs that exist that will help to fulfill my aspirations - she is so smart and so good to me and so supportive and has a wonderful way of looking at many different perspectives.

Plus, she approves of me - and we know that is important =) I hope I make her feel valued and valuable and worthy of love - if that is what she wants ,which I think it is.

No comments: