Psychologist-Sydney

Henry Budd

You wouldn’t think a psychologist would need their own therapist, but Gymea Lily Psychotherapy Centre clinical psychologist Vera Auerbach says it’s important that psychologists learn about who they are.

“I also think it’s important if you are going to work deeply with people that you have your own therapy, so at least you know what it’s like to be in the other chair … so you are one step ahead of whoever you are working with,” she says.

Clinical psychologists work with people who display “abnormal behaviour”, such as anxiety disorders and depression, says Ms Auerbach.

“We also get a lot of relationship issues where people come in because their relationships keep breaking up for the same reason,” she says.

People’s emotions are complex and psychologists have to be careful to seek advice when dealing with difficult cases.

“I definitely would describe it on some level as a masochistic job because you are constantly there for people, listening … and I think if you don’t look at yourself, well, you could burn out quite easily,” she says.

Ms Auerbach says the job satisfaction comes through helping people through their most challenging times.

“There is nothing more meaningful for me, work-wise, than having been able to save someone from suiciding, helping them make their life meaningful and seeing them blossom as a person,” she says. Auerbach studied psychology at the University of UNSW. She then went on to do post-graduate study at the University of Sydney and a Masters of Clinical Psychology at the University of Wollongong.

Since finishing study Ms Auerbach has specialised in helping children and mothers and their babies.

“If you can get to people early you can avoid a lifetime of issues,” she says.

Qualifications: Becoming a registered psychologist with the Australian Psychological Society requires at least four years of full-time university study.

Courses are a four-year bachelor of psychology or a three-year degree followed by an honours program in psychology.

Graduates must then complete two years of either study in a specialist area or supervised practice.

This is a requirement for registering to work as a psychologist in Australia.

Course description: Students can either choose a straight bachelor of psychology or another undergraduate degree, such as science, with a major in psychology.

Students must achieve certain levels of results (a credit average, or higher at some universities) to progress into an honours program.

Assumed knowledge: Students must complete at least one unit of statistics in first year, so a mathematics background is recommended.

Costs: Depends on the electives taken, but full-time students should expect to pay at least $4996 (government supported) a year.

From the inside: Ms Auerbach says psychologists in the public health system have recently received wage increases.

“The profession is taking off remuneration wise, finally. You don’t just have to do it for the love of it any more,” she says.

“Now we also have Medicare rebates for psychologists, I foresee in the next 10 years a huge shortage of psychologists.”

More information: www.psychology.org.au