Who here likes Psychology?

[theseed]

I have a BA in psychology and am working on an MS in School Counseling.

[keith]

I have a BA in psychology and am working on an MS in School Counseling.
Hi

I don't remember even seeing this section of Tweb before. Is Psychology a new thing here? So you are working on an MS in School Counseling. Is that in a regular (secular) college or one of those integration college courses like they do at Rosemead, Wheaton and so on?

I recently completed a (secular) training as an adult psychotherapist. Hard work and any integration of faith and education has been done off my own bat. How are you finding your course?

Regards

Keith

[theseed]

Hi

I don't remember even seeing this section of Tweb before. Is Psychology a new thing here? So you are working on an MS in School Counseling. Is that in a regular (secular) college or one of those integration college courses like they do at Rosemead, Wheaton and so on?

I recently completed a (secular) training as an adult psychotherapist. Hard work and any integration of faith and education has been done off my own bat. How are you finding your course?

Regards

Keith
I did my undergrad at a Christian college, and I am doing my graduate work at a CACREP, secular University.

I like my classes, but I do find it difficult to integrate what I learned with what I believe about The Bible.

[theseed]

Yes, this is a new forum.

[theseed]

I think I might want to be a counselor educator someday.

[Cello]

I have a BA in psychology and am working on an MS in School Counseling.:yipee: ME! ME!

But I'm not that studied......does that count? I love psych and soc. If I ever get to go back to school that is what I'd focus on.

[theseed]

:yipee: ME! ME!

But I'm not that studied......does that count? I love psych and soc. If I ever get to go back to school that is what I'd focus on.
Sure, why not . . . .

[elpese]

I like psych too. I am currently in a Master's Counseling program at a Lutheran University, but for all intents and purposes it is a secular program. I like working with people with schizophrenia. I did that for many years before going back to school and it is what I want to do again as soon as possible

[Da Blonde]

I have a BSW and am working on an MSW. The different helping disciplines have different perspectives. I view psych as more controlling in perspective than SW. That said I have good relationships with Ph.D. psychologists who consult. Their input is always practical in team meetings.

[learning]

What perspective do you take after, DaBlonde, and others? If I recall, there is the behaviorists, psychologists, and cognitive areas concerning counselling of humans.

Are there any other areas or organizations of how professionals look at the human mind and behavior?

[Da Blonde]

What perspective do you take after, DaBlonde, and others? If I recall, there is the behaviorists, psychologists, and cognitive areas concerning counselling of humans.

Among others. In my field we tend to favor cognitive therapy and I do, though with an eclectic variation.


Are there any other areas or organizations of how professionals look at the human mind and behavior?

There's probably hundreds. Some of the Master's level people I work with are currently enamoured with EMDR which addresses eye movement and its relationship to personality but I am skeptical of what appears to me to be a fad. as expensive as continuing education workshops are I'm not all that interested in envesting in one on EMDR right now.

[learning]

I've heard of that in helping trauma persons overcome memories of trauma (or at least handle the memories better), that EMDR thing.

[keith]

What perspective do you take after, DaBlonde, and others? If I recall, there is the behaviorists, psychologists, and cognitive areas concerning counselling of humans.

Are there any other areas or organizations of how professionals look at the human mind and behavior?
My training was psychodynamic - with an emphasis on the 'presenting past'. 'Old school' psychoanalysis seems to have dropped out of favour here (England) it is too costly and takes up too much time. Even within psychodynamic approaches there are differences. Some focus on working with particular groups e.g. women, ethnic/cultural minorities and so on as well as the more traditional adult/family/children divisions. The approaches that I have found easiest to combine with a Christian perspective are Attachment-based therapy (started by Bowlby) and Object-Relations (that can fit with a relational view of God).

For those working in the Public Sector the emphasis is on short term approaches with measurable results. We use a lot of medication here and short term solution-focused therapy with lots of CBT. No space for God in the National Health Service.

Hope this makes sense, there is an awful lot of jargon around the subject (a bit like theology!). :smile:

[Lone Stranger]

I see the work of Jung usefull. Not because his approach is absolutely correct, but because he dares to factor in a model of man that allows him/her to be more than just animal-plus. His ideas are not necessarily true, but they resonate with truth.

[Conductor42]

I have a BA in psychology and am working on an MS in School Counseling.

I like Psych.

[Tobias Reiper]

I have a deep interest in psychology, and I contemplated going into it as a career, but I gave up on it because from what I've observed the business aspect is too agenda driven.

For example, at one point homosexuality was believed to be a mental disorder, but now psychologists consider it a normal aspect of human sexuality, but if you believe it's wrong then you have a mental disorder. Same data, just a new spin.

And then you have the Fraudians (misspelling intentional) who believe that all religion is the result of a mental disorder, and another school of thought that says that religion can cause mental disorders. If you tell me there's no agenda behind that then you will be one of the few people I openly call a liar.

[theseed]

I have a deep interest in psychology, and I contemplated going into it as a career, but I gave up on it because from what I've observed the business aspect is too agenda driven.
Yes, it is business driven in the consumer parts. Some careers don't have a business aspect.


For example, at one point homosexuality was believed to be a mental disorder, but now psychologists consider it a normal aspect of human sexuality, but if you believe it's wrong then you have a mental disorder. Same data, just a new spin.

There is nothing of the such in the DSM-IV.

And then you have the Fraudians (misspelling intentional) who believe that all religion is the result of a mental disorder,
Freud did not believe religion was a mental disorder, he believed it was a coping strategy. The same can be said for athiesm, though.



and another school of thought that says that religion can cause mental disorders.

I've never studied of such a school. If you find the name of it, let me know.


If you tell me there's no agenda behind that then you will be one of the few people I openly call a liar.
Well, how can their be an agenda behind something that is not true? That would be lies by definition. However, I have no doubt that there are psychologists who have a political agenda or the like.

[anthrogirl]

There's probably hundreds. Some of the Master's level people I work with are currently enamoured with EMDR which addresses eye movement and its relationship to personality but I am skeptical of what appears to me to be a fad. as expensive as continuing education workshops are I'm not all that interested in envesting in one on EMDR right now.
As a layperson (I only have a minor in Psychology), I have found EMDR to be very useful in thought-stopping. For example, if I am studying, and my "monkey mind" starts to wander to a topic other than the one I am supposed to be focused on, a 45-sec EMDR session will usually bring me back to my work. I have found that it increases my ability to focus/concentrate within this particular context (i.e. drifting away while reading something incredibly boring or tedious).

...just a little anecdotal tidbit...

best,
ag

[Tobias Reiper]

Yes, it is business driven in the consumer parts. Some careers don't have a business aspect.


There is nothing of the such in the DSM-IV.

Freud did not believe religion was a mental disorder, he believed it was a coping strategy. The same can be said for athiesm, though.


I've never studied of such a school. If you find the name of it, let me know.


Well, how can their be an agenda behind something that is not true? That would be lies by definition. However, I have no doubt that there are psychologists who have a political agenda or the like.

Too lazy to alter the quote tags to respond to each point individually, so I'll just do it in different paragraphs in no particular order.

I phrased it improperly. The research aspect is too agenda driven. The clinical aspect, well that's just a whole other monster. If you tell the patient what they need to hear and it's something they don't like they find a new therapist. If you tell them what they want to hear it may not be what they need to hear, so you do them no good.

My girlfriend's doctor wants me to go in for psychological evaluation just because I believe that homosexuality is evil. And no, I have not expressed any desire to physically act out against them. In fact, my girlfriend told him about the one I actually stuck up for when I thought the situation would turn violent.

I did not say that Freud said it was a symptom of a disorder. I have, however, encountered numerous Freudians who have decided to upgrade it from a coping mechanism to a symptom.

Upon further research the group saying that religion was the cause of mental disorders is a fringe group and not worth studying any further in depth. In fact, I didn't even bother to remember anything about them, let alone their name.

[anthrogirl]

Too lazy to alter the quote tags to respond to each point individually, so I'll just do it in different paragraphs in no particular order.

I phrased it improperly. The research aspect is too agenda driven. The clinical aspect, well that's just a whole other monster. If you tell the patient what they need to hear and it's something they don't like they find a new therapist. If you tell them what they want to hear it may not be what they need to hear, so you do them no good.when you use terms like "monster", you really should try harder to afford the effort to explain yourself. IOW, you can't really afford to be "lazy" if you use such strong terminology--it makes you sound foolish.


My girlfriend's doctor wants me to go in for psychological evaluation just because I believe that homosexuality is evil. And no, I have not expressed any desire to physically act out against them. In fact, my girlfriend told him about the one I actually stuck up for when I thought the situation would turn violent.Yeah, it appears as though Fatty really is lazy in his parlance. He generalizes and avoids the opportunity to clearly express himself. He speaks in generalized categories without defining his parameters. Using words like "them" or "I stuck up for one", while not inherently bigoted, show a lack of care in communication within this forum.


I did not say that Freud said it was a symptom of a disorder. I have, however, encountered numerous Freudians who have decided to upgrade it from a coping mechanism to a symptom.Give me a break, Fatty--is anyone really a "Freudian" anymore? This is 2005, after all.


Upon further research the group saying that religion was the cause of mental disorders is a fringe group and not worth studying any further in depth. In fact, I didn't even bother to remember anything about them, let alone their name.Then why mention it, if you don't think they are worth studying in any depth?

sheesh...

ag

[theseed]

I phrased it improperly. The research aspect is too agenda driven. The clinical aspect, well that's just a whole other monster. If you tell the patient what they need to hear and it's something they don't like they find a new therapist. If you tell them what they want to hear it may not be what they need to hear, so you do them no good.
Here is the underlying problem with your reasoning. You see things dichotomously: black or white, right or wrong. No gray area, no in between. You see things in one extreme or the other. Hence, you think psychology is utterly evil.

Here, you assume that there is only 2 possiblitlies. There are others:

1)They hear something they like, and it is what they need, it is helpful.
2)They hear something they don't like, but stay with the same counselor
3)They hear something they don't like, but have no other alternatives because of court orders or money/insurance issues
4)There are only a few counselors in the region to chose from.


My girlfriend's doctor wants me to go in for psychological evaluation just because I believe that homosexuality is evil. And no, I have not expressed any desire to physically act out against them. In fact, my girlfriend told him about the one I actually stuck up for when I thought the situation would turn violent.

Again, you are citing one incident and making a blanket statement. You are overgeneralizing. I know someone who is black and uneducated (did not finish high school). Should I erringly assume that all black people are the same? All are uneducated? Or can I consider things in multiple dimensions and not just dichotomously?


I did not say that Freud said it was a symptom of a disorder. I have, however, encountered numerous Freudians who have decided to upgrade it from a coping mechanism to a symptom.
And all of psychology is Freudian? Or is all of it humanistic? I am getting a mixed message here. They are 2 of very many schools of thought.


Upon further research the group saying that religion was the cause of mental disorders is a fringe group and not worth studying any further in depth. In fact, I didn't even bother to remember anything about them, let alone their name.

Very well. I would also add that education is a form of psychology. Learning and Coginition is a branch of psycholgy. Are you against education?

[Barbell]

I am working on my masters in counseling psychology. I love being invited into someones elses world to see it through their eyes. It is a honor to help untangle those emotional lies that keep us in bondage to our feelings. ....

[Eyeheart Pumpkin]

I have a BA in psychology and am working on an MS in School Counseling.
I have a BA in Psych, and was pursuing an MA in Education, but I dropped that line of study for the time due to time constraints. I'm now considering a distance learning course in Organization Psychology, but I haven't really decided yet.

[Eyeheart Pumpkin]

For example, at one point homosexuality was believed to be a mental disorder, but now psychologists consider it a normal aspect of human sexuality, but if you believe it's wrong then you have a mental disorder. Same data, just a new spin.
I think that has a lot to do with the paradigm shift in recent years, in psychology, from what I sometimes call "metaphysical theories" toward empiricism.


And then you have the Fraudians (misspelling intentional) who believe that all religion is the result of a mental disorder,
Freudian psychology and psychoanalysis is, as someone pointed out earlier, very much out of favor these days. There has been a great deal of controversy about Freud's study methods, for instance the fact that he arrived upon his theory of the Electra Complex (the female version of the Oedipus Complex) studying only males. Also, his theory about the id, ego and superego, arguably the cornerstone of Freudian psychoanalysis, has practically no empirical support, it is not based on any study of the brain or parts of the brain, and is practically considered metaphysics by modern psychologists, especially behaviorists.


and another school of thought that says that religion can cause mental disorders. If you tell me there's no agenda behind that then you will be one of the few people I openly call a liar.
I'm not familiar with any psychological theories that claim either that religion is the result of mental disorders, or that religion causes mental disorders. However, there are those who believe (and are probably right), that in some cases if religion is merged with an existing mental disorder, it can distort that person's view of reality in ways varying from the innocuous (for instance, believing that singing is an afront to God) to the deadly (Son of Sam, for example).

[parsondanl]

I completed a PhD in psychology at Boston College in 1993 and am most fascinated regarding movement in the field toward employing neuroscientific approaches. For instance, we can now understand the soul as a being a function of brain activity, though not limited solely to that. Are there those out there intrigued by trying to comprehend the soul from a physical perspective; sort of a biology of belief?

[theseed]

I suppose so, if the sould and the mind are the same thing--people have longed argued whether the mind was seperate from the brain.

[pljames]

I have neither have a degree or phd in psychology. But I have a keen interest in it. I am always interested in how people think what they think. They might say if asked why they did this or that and there reply is,"I dont know"! Conciously they may not know, but subconciously they do. Then the psychiatry will try to find out why the person did this or that. Conciousness I understand, but I have a problem with the subconcious mind. Why do we have one and what is its purpose?
pljames?

[parsondanl]

You understand consciousness? You'd be the first. To this point, no psychologist can explain it adequately; we can describe it and observe its effects, but nobody really knows why it exists or where it came from. Of course here's where the thologians have always stepped forward, especially with our conception of soul (which I would say is identical with mind or personality)> As far as subconscious goes, Freud typically spoke of it in terms of drives or conflict, others would call this memory or "repressed" memory. But add its functioning to the list of things that remain confusing about consciousness and the brain.

[theseed]

You understand consciousness? You'd be the first. To this point, no psychologist can explain it adequately; we can describe it and observe its effects, but nobody really knows why it exists or where it came from. Of course here's where the thologians have always stepped forward, especially with our conception of soul (which I would say is identical with mind or personality)> As far as subconscious goes, Freud typically spoke of it in terms of drives or conflict, others would call this memory or "repressed" memory. But add its functioning to the list of things that remain confusing about consciousness and the brain.
That sounds about right. I would add that those terms are mostly used by Freudians. According to Freud, our unconscience, as persondan1 indicated, is our desires, conflicts,(the id) and so forth that we are not aware of. The subconscience is all are autonomic functions such as breathing and our heart beat. Lastly, our conscience includes things we are aware of.

The id (operates on pleasure principle) is mostlly in the unconscience, while the ego (reality principle) is mostly in the conscience. The super ego (morality principle) is (I think) mostly in the conscience as well. Often, we supress (done with purpose) or repress (done automatically) memories that are too painful inot our unconscience.

I speak of repression as a fact, because there are people who get amnesia, and later regain thier memories. There is a case of a person who lost years of childhood memories, and did not know it, until later in life.

[rbevans]

I think its important to add that the concept of the unconscious, whether by that name or another, has been adopted by more than just classic Freudians or neo-psychoanalysts. The idea of implicit memories or behaviours is critical to neuro, cognitive and behavioural psychology as well, which should serve as a caveat to those who would be quick to dismiss anything Freudian-related.

[sing27]

I think its important to add that the concept of the unconscious, whether by that name or another, has been adopted by more than just classic Freudians or neo-psychoanalysts. The idea of implicit memories or behaviours is critical to neuro, cognitive and behavioural psychology as well, which should serve as a caveat to those who would be quick to dismiss anything Freudian-related.


Are the terms unconscious and subconscious synonymous in your opinion?

[Epoetker]

As a layperson (I only have a minor in Psychology), I have found EMDR to be very useful in thought-stopping. For example, if I am studying, and my "monkey mind" starts to wander to a topic other than the one I am supposed to be focused on, a 45-sec EMDR session will usually bring me back to my work. I have found that it increases my ability to focus/concentrate within this particular context (i.e. drifting away while reading something incredibly boring or tedious).

...just a little anecdotal tidbit...

best,
ag

I usually think my mind wanders for a reason, but if I need to thought-stop, I've found praying in tongues (mentally or orally) works just as well. Kills so many advertising jingles it's not even funny.

I'm told I'm good at psychological advice, but it's usually not by the people I advise.

Taking Psych now. Tedious.

[rbevans]

Are the terms unconscious and subconscious synonymous in your opinion?

No, not as such. Unconscious is devoid of conscious thought, while subconscious is below a threshold of conscious activity. Thats the best way I know to define it, which is a little nebulous. I guess it could be argued that the conscious and unconscious are two seperate rooms, one with the lights on and the other completely dark. Seperating the two rooms is a hallway that gets a little of the light from one room, but is still rather dim. Things in the hallway that are presented are vague, indistinct shapes, but still perceivable in form, but not details. The hallway would be like your subconscious.

That was probably a tangent. I just like to type things.

Bob

[pljames]

I have neither Major/minor degree in Psychology, but find myself drawn to it. Like all inquisitive beings, it's nice to know why this are that, without speculating. What gets my goat is when Phyichiatrists and professors of same argue over there own science? Does it really matter if one is unconcious is relevent to knowing the mind of a person?pljames

[rbevans]

I have neither Major/minor degree in Psychology, but find myself drawn to it. Like all inquisitive beings, it's nice to know why this are that, without speculating. What gets my goat is when Phyichiatrists and professors of same argue over there own science? Does it really matter if one is unconcious is relevent to knowing the mind of a person?pljames


Yes/no.

There was a quote I read in one of my text books regarding the vicious arguments that different branches of psychology enter into: "Its like there are two armies fighting battles to determine the nature of the war." Psychology suffers from fracticious arguments for a number of reasons. I think one of them is that psychology as a science is still in its infancy. Its constantly growing and modifying because the complexity of the subject matter to be studied is so immense and confounding that a satisfactory approach has not fully been reached, thus the presence of different branches (eg. cognitive, behavioural, cognitive behavioural, neuro-). So to answer your question it is relevant because you can't for certain say that it isn't.

I suggest reading some of Mike Dawson's work (University of Alberta) to see the brilliant approach being taken by cognitive scientists (avoiding the term psychology all together). I had the privlidge of taking a few classes with him.

Bob out.

[kendal]

I actually get turned on by Psychology! I love the stuff!!!

I hope to be a christian psychologist one day.
I have had this goal since I was a teen.
I don't believe in the secular parts,but I do believe
Psychology is very important to us all,and it has a great
deal of truth,and is very valuable to everyone when used
right.
Psychology is excellent!:hi:

[ShallWeDance?]

I think it's cool. Books like Psychology of Atheism peak my interest. Cool stuff. I just hate it when feminists and the likes use it to get on the soap box of "all men are bastards."

[Barry Desborough]

I have a BA in psychology and am working on an MS in School Counseling.

I only attended undergrad 'overview' courses in my student days. Now, many years later, I've had the opportunity to follow my own choice of reading and it seems to me that evolutionary psychology has the potential for the most fruitful approach to understanding ourselves.

http://www.psych.ucsb.edu/research/cep/

Thee is a lively discussion group (entry by application) at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/evolutionary-psychology/

[Malista_Dove]

:b_hop: ME. I really like psychology. I am only in highschool, but I am hoping to study psychology in college. I am thinking about majoring in Psychology, Theology, and/or English. The study of human behavior and their thinking processes interests me. I especially find it interesting to study the processes of the criminally insane. :lol:

[3kixintehead]

I am taking an intro to psychology/sociology course right now in highschool and I love it. I am thinking about majoring in it but I am not sure yet. Its still hard to figure that stuff out. :)

[Storico]

I am taking an intro to psychology/sociology course right now in highschool and I love it. I am thinking about majoring in it but I am not sure yet. Its still hard to figure that stuff out. :)

You'll figure it out, eventually. I'm glad your school offers a psychology/soc course. It gives people the opportunity to get interested in it, at least a bit. I've taken a few psych courses in university, and I really enjoyed them. They're challenging, but fascinating. My favourite was the 'psychology of prejudice and diversity' course I took. I'll never forget it.

[Thespia]

I am very interested in psychology.
This is partially because of my analytical brain and all the counseling I had as a kid...heh. I had a blast in my college psychology class because of a snide partner in crime that I sat with everyday and kept a running commentary that the middle aged lady teacher couldn't hear. 'Twas fun! I really liked learning about the personality theories and the disorders. I thought about getting a Masters in Counseling at one point...but now I'm not so sure.

[AngelDragon]

I like psychology. . .but I've never technically taken a class. I've just read a few textbooks.

I'm taking a class this year, though, and hopefully I'll be able to learn more about it. I want to pursue a career in either psychology or some type of apologetics, or maybe even both, but I need to find out what I can and cannot do first. :pray:

[FreezBee]

I like psychology too, and I've also just read a few textbooks.

However, I am more sociologically oriented, but I do appreciate Jungian text analysis.

[Paintbucket]

Psychology is okay, I dabble in it like I do most things so I know the basics. But I wouldn't major in it, however my major would allow me to teach it. ( BS History, Secondary Education). I'd rather do philosophy, but I feel competent enough for psychology.

[Whirrled Peas]

I am extremely interested in all things psychological from a layperson's POV. I could never be a therapist though. You know the kind of therapist who only joins the profession because of his or her own issues? Yeah, I'd be one of them.