Date: Fri 08-May-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

school-psychology-Sink

Full Text:

Learning About The Field Of Psychology

(with cut)

BY MICHELE HOGAN

Frances Sink, PhD, told the students at Newtown High School that "you can't

escape psychology" because its such a part of life. Yet at times, when working

with abused children, she wished she could do more on a large scale to change

people's lives.

Dr Sink outlined the course she took to become a clinical psychologist. It

included a four-year degree, followed by five years of graduate work,

culminating with a one-year clinical internship. She said, "It's a long

process."

"Your friends that go to college and get a job will be further along at this

point, but eventually you get to do what you want to do," she continued.

Then she asked, "Does everyone want to do all this work? Its worth it!"

But there were times early in her career when she felt "burn-out." When she

worked at a hospital in Boston she said that she saw hundreds of cases of

abuse of young children. She said that she wished that she could "work at a

global level, stamp out evil."

Applying her psychological know-how to her own situation, she realized that

her practice was out-of-balance. She was giving herself a negative attitude

about the world.

Now she has an out-patient practice, where she sees people for 45 to 50

minutes at a time. She does a variety of work, from psychological testing to

helping parents understand their three year olds.

Dr Sink said that she particularly liked working with young families and

children because they are so open to growth and change.

The birth of her son seven years ago, however, challenged her in-depth

education in child psychology. She said, "The first year after I had him, I

thought, `I know nothing!' I thought, `Why did these people ever listen to

me?'"

Now her boy is seven and doing great, and her confidence has returned.

She said she sees "a lot of poop in the pants, aggression, fighting, refusing

to speak, and refusing to obey" with her clients at the pre-school age group.

With pre-schoolers, most of the work is in helping parents gain an

understanding of what is going on in the mind of their child.

She also works with adults. She said that as a psychologist, she examines

herself and her own background in relation to the people she is working with.

She said, "You look across the table and ask, `How does this person view the

world and relationships?'"

She said that she believes that small changes add up to big changes. "You can

change the world one inch at a time. If one person feels less depressed, it

helps them and their families."

Dr Sink has practiced psychology for 20 years and enjoys her profession. She

reminded students that they could use psychology in many careers. As well as

psychologists and psychiatrists at the doctorate level, there are mental

health technician positions at the bachelor or master degree levels.

Ministers, teachers, writers, holistic medical practitioners, special

education professionals, politicians, marketing/advertising people,

actors/comedians, and business managers and consultants all use psychology in

their work.

As well as speaking to young people, Dr Sink has also participated in career

shadowing and mentorship programs through the high school.

The career speakers program is arranged by Jane McEvoy in career counseling

and Jack Quinlan in the guidance department at the Newtown High School.