An Interview with Dr. Mariann Young

After thinking of a good occupation to research and searching for different occupations, it became realistic that the most logical and detailed information would come straight from the source. I set a date to interview Dr. Mariann Young, a psychologist, and ask her about her field of study. 1.) What is the official title for your occupation? I am a psychologist. 2.) Who are your patients? My patients are exclusively people with dramatic brain injuries. I see patients of all ages. 3.) What kind of schooling did it take? I hold a PhD. (Requirements in Michigan: -A Masters Degree in Psychology -Psychology Certificate -Pass the Nation-wide exam taken 2 after internship -Year long internship) 4.) Are you referred to as a doctor? Yes. 5.) Who refers patience to you? -Social Workers -Other Psychologists -Doctors -Case Managers 6.) Can you prescribe medication? No-psychologists may not. However, there is a group fighting to change this. 7.) Do you diagnose disorders and diseases? No- I simply work with people who have suffered from brain injuries.However, some of my patients have been diagnosed with disorders before their injuries. 8.) Is your analysis simply verbal and through talking? Yes-psychologists will do self-reports. Family members will do evaluations, as well. 9.) What kind of hours do you work? There is no set schedule. The hours can be very flexible. I usually work from 8:30AM to 6:00PM. Ultimately though, it depends on the behavior of the patients. 10.) What inspired you to choose this field? I found it interesting to be able to look into situations and give ideas on how do solve these types of problems. Originally I had a degree in sociology, but after becoming close with some psychologists and looking at what they do- she enjoyed it. 11.) Where do you work? An Office? A Hospital? Personally, I work in an office. As the residential manager, it is up to me to look over the houses in development as well. 12.) What other people do you work around? I work in a field of rehab- so I work around a variety of people. These people include: -Social Workers -Case Managers -Other Psychologists -Therapists (Occupational Therapists, Rec. Therapists, Physical Therapists, etc.) 13.) Does insurance cover the patients' visits? In Michigan- yes it does. Automobile Insurance covers all medical costs that are attached. Medical Insurance covers most everything else. 14.) Is there a set fee for visit? If so- what is it? In other psychology situations- yes there is a set fee. In private practices and hospitals, insurance pays for each visit. 15.) On average, how many visits does a patient go through? In Residential/Brain damages situations: Short term patient- 9 months Long term patient- Years In other practices insurance only pays for 20 visits a year. 16.) How often do your patients see you? In my personal area, patients see me once or twice a week. In private practices- patients see their therapists no more than once a week. 17.) About how many patients do you have? Personally, I only have about 3 patients, due to my management position. Psychologists in hospitals must have 32 hours of time a week. (Equivalent to about 25 patients along with 2 or 3 test sessions a week). 18.) Not to get too personal, but what is a ballpark salary for such a job? The entry level salary is near $45,000 a year. With time, this can increase up to $120 dollars an hour. 19.) Do you feel your job allows enough personal and family time? Yes, for the most part. My schedule is very flexible. 20.) Do you enjoy your job? Usually. Some weeks are very difficult, but it is good to be able to help people. 21.) Are you always on call- and why? In a residential situation, yes. If someone is acting up, he or she must be tended to. In other practices, no. 22.) Do you have any advice for someone going into this field? To work in this field one must have: -patience -like people -good problem solving skills "Psychologists are not high-priced friends. They are actively trying to help their patients solve their problems."

www.sfu.ca/~jwgibson/ Psychologist.html Psychology is not a new field of study. For many years this science has been under development. It all revolves around someone listening to the problems in which the patient is facing.       http://www.drh-careers.med.usyd.edu.au/health_courses/ images/psychologist Psychologists usually work in a laid back enviroinment, getting to better know their patients and help them sovle their problems. Psychologists are always jotting notes.