"The good psychologist assumes his profession with generosity and humility"

We know first hand the opinions of Judith Rodríguez, Rocío Reyes and Mar Esquitino, psychologists from Atenea Mallorca Psychology Center, considered one of the best psychology clinics in Mallorca, about the traits that a good psychologist must have and the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. More than 20 years of experience working with hundreds of patients support these words, which can be a stimulus for future professionals.

• Related article: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

Motivation to engage in psychotherapy

Right from the beginning, Judith gathers in one word the great reason that led them to study psychology, and in which they all agree: "vocation". Each one justifies their choice in a different way, but in them it can be observed that need to understand human behavior and be part of a productive collaboration on a personal level.

“Choosing to study psychology for me is vocational. I feel full and happy when I manage to guide and help others” says Judith. Rocío adds: "Since high school, the teachers agreed with me that my path to choose was psychology", in a clear reference to the fact that it is a vocational choice and that they also had aptitudes already from their time of students.

Mar adds another consideration that also had an influence in her case: “There are two types of psychologists, the who study this career by vocation and those who do it to try to solve their own issues. I am a mixture of both. I decided to enter the world of psychology to be that helping hand that helps to overcome experiences that one cannot overcome alone. The possibility of helping people find each other is what has brought me here.”

In her words, happiness for his profession is distilled, and also respect for his work on a day-to-day basis. Judith and Rocío agree that "what we like most about this profession is the opportunity to continuously interact with other people and learn new things every day, be able to see their progress and seek alternatives to their difficulties in a way joint. Setting out on a path together and being able to see the fruits is enriching both professionally and personally”.

"The good psychologist has to assume his profession with generosity and humility"

When asked how one can know who is a good psychologist, the three agree on some essential aspects: "A good psychologist is one who does not lack of professionalism, that he is not influenced by his own beliefs and ideals, that he knows and knows where his limits are and guides people toward the path that will make them grow and feel fulfilled. A good psychologist must adapt to the needs of patients ”declares Judith, who does not hesitate to say that“ It is very It is important to know our limits and know how to refer a person to the right professional who can help them in their path".

The general idea is that the psychologist does not cease to be a person with his abilities and limitations, so You must carry out a self-diagnosis exercise in order to become the professional that your patients require.

Mar, regarding this issue, says that “A psychologist is the same as a waiter or an advertising distributor. All people have their past, with their positive and negative experiences, they have their good days and bad days, and they have expectations for the future. The important thing is that a psychologist knows himself and knows where to put limits". "In the end, a good psychologist is a figure who assumes his profession with generosity and humility, taking into account that he must promote his therapeutic skills on a daily basis with the people who come to work with him or her” as Rocío ends.

Tips for psychology students

The Psychology degree is always in high demand, and every year thousands of students join the course, with many doubts. From their professional experience, Judith, Mar and Rocío encourage future (and current) students about this wonderful profession. "I'd tell them that they accept this profession as a challenge from which they must learn and enjoy, It is a wonderful opportunity to continue growing” clarifies Rocío.

Judith, on the other hand, confronts future students who “are trained just for the sake of training or because it is a field where a lot of money is earned. That will not make them good professionals or useful to their patients. In the end, they will feel that their work is pointless and will become monotonous and boring. For her, the specialization in the world of sexology was "at the beginning, by chance" but, from there “a great curiosity awoke in me and I began to ask myself questions, discovering that I had a lot to learn”. Through her words, Judith certifies that the learning process is constant and necessary, so It is essential to find what stimulates the student and allows them to offer the best of themselves.

Latest notes on patients

The experience of dealing with people on a day-to-day basis makes them aware of doubts or reluctance expressed in their consultation that the patients have, and dedicate a few words and advice to them in a direct.

“Sometimes the hardest thing for a person is to ask for help, to admit that they have a problem. Fight to change, work to improve... they are not easy things to doIt is laborious and on many occasions, at first, not very gratifying. The important thing is to keep the objective to be achieved clear, and to work with a professional who makes you feel comfortable and facilitates this difficult task. I encourage you to seek help to achieve your desires, needs, goals, objectives, achievements... You are not weaker for needing someone on this path, on the contrary, you are strong for deciding to put an end to your discomfort or restlessness. Psychology professionals have studied and trained to make this path more quickly and less hard”, says Judith, about the barrier that some people have to go to a professional.

The stigma of going to the psychologist It is a recurring theme, but Mar herself is in charge of demystifying it when she comments that "luckily, the figure of the psychologist is becoming more and more normalized, because more people are seeing it as a resource positive. Ask, accept help, ask for advice, learn tools... Everything is positive if it leads you or your loved ones to be better.” And she adds that “no one is born knowing. Sometimes we are afraid to take the step, either because we accept that we do not know how to control a specific situation, or because of what they will say if they find out that I..., or what will they say if they find out that my son... when the only thing we are looking for is to ask for advice from someone who can help us help". In this aspect they all agree unanimously.

Mar, specializing in child psychology, exposes a scenario that occurs frequently and that helps exemplify the ability to help that a professional has. “Some children do not have the tools to successfully face the society in which we live; boys and girls who, within their innocence or uncertainty, have not been able to respond as expected to their day-to-day life (family, friends, institute, responsibilities, rights and duties). That's where we can be. How many adults, with their education in family values, with their training. academic, with his work achievements, with his family structure created... Are they not happy or simply don't know how to handle an unexpected, unlearned or unwanted situation?"

Furthermore, she adds: "Children are a mirror of society, but they are not yet ready to put on the mask and show that everything is fine. They are the expression of what many adults think and do not do. A child's tantrum when he doesn't get the toy he wants is the same as an adult feels when he doesn't get something he set out to do, but without knowing what he can't throw away. to the ground and cry. Or the knock that a teenager gives at the door because he is not allowed to go out with his friends, it is the same thing that he feels a adult when she had the plan to go to the beach with her partner and, suddenly, she tells him that they have to go to her mother's house to eat. Life is full of situations that we have to learn to face in the best way possible, in the healthiest way for oneself and with more respect for others. The possibility of helping others to find that way is our job”.

And, speaking of this relationship between the patient and the professional, Judith concludes: ”If you have been working with a professional for some time and you do not feel that there is progress, do not hesitate to tell them about it. This allows the professional to be able to work on another path or route, which allows the objectives set in therapy to be achieved. If, even so, you do not feel comfortable, change the professional. The important thing is you and your needs”. Words that are the structural basis of the mission of Atenea Mallorca Psychology Center, where Judith Rodríguez, Rocío Reyes and Mar Esquitino work as psychologists, whom we thank for taking the time to participate in this interview.