This path I have chosen to assist my clients in healing is a bumpy one. As I work with others to explore their hearts and minds, I am forced to examine myself as well. Here on this blog I will explore the challenges and triumphs of this journey into the world of being a Clinical Psychologist.

Let’s catch you up to speed with a brief history…

In June of 2006 I graduated from a small APA accredited professional psychology school in California with my Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology. The ride wasn’t too bad, but I wouldn’t say it was smooth. It took me 5 years, which wasn’t so bad (even though I was pretty disappointed that I couldn’t manage it in 4) and I landed a great job at the addiction treatment center where I had done my final internship. I’m still working there today. I have been doing my post-doc hours over the past one and a half years seeing clients in recovery, specializing in the HIV+ ,transgender and incarcerated populations. Not the most glamorous setting, but a rewarding one nonetheless. My first job out of graduate school wasn’t too shabby, but it had its challenges (my clinical supervisor was laid off half way through completing my hours and my manager disappeared without a trace).

This Fall, after finding a replacement clinical supervisor, I confidently began studying for my exams and applied for my authorization to test letter with the California Board of Psychology. The timing was perfect, I would take the exam at the same time my 1500 supervised post-doc hours would be completed. The Board told me it would be 8 to 10 weeks before I would get approved to take the exam. I took a deep breath and counted to mid-December. A little behind schedule, but not too bad – just in time for the holidays. So I planned my studying accordingly and even planned a big celebratory vacation with my partner to depart at the end of January. That left a four week buffer in case anything went wrong.

Today is January 7, 2008…

- Dr. Trix