Job Talk with a psychotherapist
Job Talk with a psychotherapist
What does your job entail?
"The job includes both counseling with clients and managing the day-to-day financial tasks of running a business. The counseling and psychotherapy connect me closely with people and their lives, sometimes their family members, and other treating professionals involved in the client's care. The work often involves helping people to look at their problems from new or different angles, or to think through their situation in a non-judgmental environment. Therapists and counselors do not generally tell people what to do, but help the individual come to their own conclusions."
Typically, Leff works on conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder, and on issues including loss of a loved one, marital problems, aging and family relationships. Using cognitive therapy -- the understanding that your thoughts influence your feelings -- Leff treats clients by looking at all aspects of their lives as opposed to just what's going on in their minds. Psychologists and social workers can have similar roles in psychotherapy, but this focus on the whole person is part of what Leff says differentiates the two.
How did you become involved in this line of work?
"I decided to become a social worker after working as a counselor-in-training at a summer camp where social group workers were the counselors and directors. They made sure that all campers in the group were treated fairly and were included. After finishing graduate school (at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland) I worked in social service agencies and psychiatric hospitals and decided that I wanted to focus on doing counseling and therapy."
What training or education is required?
"This type of social work job requires a master's degree in social work, work experience, and to be licensed by the state of North Carolina. Licensure requires taking an examination."
What does it take to do your job successfully?
"It takes a caring heart, patience, the ability to be empathetic and to set limits, and to be able to tell people when there is a problem or a mistake in their thinking or actions. Because I often work with people with mental health conditions, I also need to know a lot about the different diagnoses, medications and treatments that are used. It is also necessary to know how to handle emergencies and crises."
What's most challenging about your job?
"Figuring out the best approach to use to help a client understand what they are doing, or finding a way to help very distressed people feel some relief, are challenging aspects of the job. Some people's personalities are also particularly challenging, and some situations are tragic and cannot be changed. In those cases, I may be trying to help someone find a way to accept the situation and to move forward regardless."
What is most rewarding?
"It is most rewarding to see a client who may have been very unhappy, perhaps depressed or otherwise, show clear improvement and satisfaction with their life. Often, I work with people who are very depressed and are having a hard time functioning. Seeing such a person have a smile and energy to do things again is wonderful."
Any advice for someone interested?
"If you are interested in becoming a social worker, get a bachelor's degree and then pick a social work graduate school program. Remember that the practicum or field work in grad school will be quite worthwhile."
Graduate school in this field requires spending about half the time in a supervised clinical setting, Leff says.
Have an idea for Job Talk? Contact Patrick Collins at 412-5934 or patrick.collins@news-record.com.
Merrianne Leff, licensed clinical social worker in Greensboro.
Merrianne Leff, licensed clinical social worker in Greensboro.
Nancy Sidelinger Special Sections PhotographerName/age: Merrianne M. Leff, 58 Occupation: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), psychotherapist/counselor Employer: Self-employed, private counseling practice Years in field: 35 Salary range: Master's level social workers employed by the state may earn from $32, 454 to $45,462. Nationwide, marriage and family therapists (who are often social workers) earn a mean annual income of $45,310. Working in private practice offers more earning opportunity.
