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Disclaimer - The articles and columns on this website are not meant as substitutes for one-on-one
psychotherapy with a licensed professional. If you feel you have issues that need to be addressed professionally, please
consult a licensed psychotherapist in your area. This article/column may have first appeared in the Del Mar Times.
Ask Dr. Ceren: Are Earnings Based On Worth?
Parade Magazine's annual "What People Earn" cover story created much discussion among psychologists nationwide. Especially offensive is the photo of a "child psychologist" dressed as a clown with reported annual earnings of $10,000.
Although managed care has significantly impacted the earnings of many doctors, surveys conducted by professional organizations show the average earnings to be well above the poverty level.
So shocking was the cover story, that a colleague went through the trouble of researching the credentials of the woman in question.
Not only is "Child Psychologist" Rosemary Short not a licensed psychologist, but she may not be any more involved in the practice of psychology than the waitress, bartender or body piercer on the cover who reported higher incomes. It turns out that she is a member of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and is listed as follows: Just because someone identifies herself as a psychologist, does not necessarily make it true. In California, as in most other states, it is unlawful to mislead the public by claiming to be a psychologist, when he may be a member of another mental health profession with less stringent requirements, or may not have any other professional license or credentials.
A psychology license ensures that the applicant has the required experience and training, has passed written and oral examinations, has a Ph.D., PsyD or Ed.D in Psychology from an accredited university, and completed pre-doctoral and post doctoral internships. Continuing education is required and must be reported in order to maintain the license.
Among other mental health care professionals are psychiatric social workers with masters degrees, marriage family child therapists with masters or doctoral degrees, counselors with master's degrees and psychiatric nurses. Websites for all professions list requirements for licensure.
A psychiatrist is a doctor of medicine with a specialty in psychiatry and requires four years of medical school (post college) and a clinical rotation in psychiatry. Most psychiatrists complete a residency in psychiatry requiring several years in a hospital setting, experience in medication management, inpatient and outpatient treatment modalities and crisis evaluations. Board certification requires additional training and education.
When seeking professional help, it is important to check credentials, shop and compare.
Returning to the PARADE cover story.
Although the amount of earnings cited in PARADE may not be entirely accurate, we do know that CEO's of major companies, and celebrities are paid far more than those whose work may have more socially redeeming value.
Teachers exert critical influence on the shaping of our future citizens, but this is not reflected in their earnings.
Artists, musicians, entertainers and writers stimulate, amuse, make us feel better, but many must work two jobs to make ends meet.
Inequity exists in the earnings of our workers. It is a fact of our society. Does it reflect our values?
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