Many readers tell me that they are interested in having a career like me. Well, okay, maybe three people have said this but whatever. In order to help you decide if being a psychologist in private practice is your ball of wax, I've created the following quick and easy quiz.
1. How many coworkers do you like to have?
A. Lots! I love chit chat around the water cooler.
B. Just a few is fine.
C. Zero, but I like plants. And books.
2. What are your thoughts about having a boss?
A. I get along really well with bosses. I am a team player and I get great evaluations.
B. It depends on the boss, but I like working for myself more. I hate meetings, too.
C. I listen to nobody and make my own rules, like James Dean, without the coolness factor.
3. By the tenth minute of a conversation with a new acquaintance, you know:
A. Their name
B. Their hometown and marital status.
C. Their dating history and why their college relationship ended. Also the moment in their adolescence when they realized they hated their mother.
4. Small talk is good for:
A. Fun, passing the time, and breaking the ice.
B. Helping you get through awkward parties.
C. Ruining your day. You prefer long, drawn-out conversations about deep, serious, personal topics.
5. Your favorite part of watching TV is:
A. Zoning out.
B. Hanging out with your spouse.
C. Analyzing the characters' deep motivations and the link between their upbringings and their current dysfunctional relationships.
6. Setting your own work schedule is:
A. Fine.
B. A really big plus.
C. My reason for living.
7. Your spouse accuses you of overanalyzing situations:
A. Weekly.
B. Daily.
C. Your spouse learned better than to accuse you of that because of the rants you go off on about how everyone else underanalyzes situations and the unexamined life is not worth living.
Key:
A = 1 point
B= 2 points
C = 3 points
7-10: Don't be a therapist. You can excel at many more exciting and lucrative careers, because you are adaptable, friendly, and well-suited for most situations. Fly free, little bird.
11-16: You can be a therapist if you want, but you might enjoy your life more if you were around other human beings and talking about normal stuff every day.
17-21: You are cursed to become a therapist and only a therapist. I am sure you've already thought about what in your childhood brought you to this career path, but if not, journal about it. Like you ALREADY DO.
Till we meet again, I remain, The Blogapist Who Says, This Was All In Good Fun, If There Are Any Extroverted, Flexible, and Chillaxed Therapists In Private Practice Out There Who Want To Complain.
This post was originally published here on Dr. Psych Mom. Follow Dr. Rodman on Dr. Psych Mom, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Order her book, How to Talk to Your Kids about Your Divorce: Healthy, Effective Communication Techniques for Your Changing Family. Learn about Dr. Rodman's private practice here. This blog is not intended as diagnosis, assessment, or treatment, and should not replace consultation with your medical provider.