James J. De Santis, Ph.D. Post Office Box 894, Glendora, CA 91740-0894 (818) 551-1714 The reader is welcome to print any screen from this website for personal use only as long as author, copyright, and contact information are not removed. Education After graduating from college with a bachelors degree, usually in psychology, an average of seven additional years are spent in graduate school to earn a doctoral degree in psychology, usually a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. Academic course work includes studying theories of normal and abnormal behavior, mental health assessment and treatment techniques, ethics and professional standards, research design and methodology, and biological aspects of mental disorders such as neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. Part way through graduate study, the student must demonstrate a thorough understanding of these areas by successful performance on a comprehensive examination. Education culminates with the completion of a dissertation, which is an experimental research project that must be an original contribution to the field of psychology. Training Training involves clinical rotations in clerkships and practica, followed by at least one year of full-time, closely supervised internship experience, typically in a hospital, medical center, clinic, or other health setting, providing a variety of assessment and treatment services. Psychologists develop specialty areas of expertise, such as play therapy with children, marriage counseling, stress management, or behavior modification. Experience Beyond education and training, additional requirements remain for the independent practice of psychology. An additional full year of post-doctoral experience is required for a minimum of 3000 total hours of experience under supervision in order to be eligible to take the licensing examinations. Licensing Successful performance both on a national, written test and in an oral examination by a panel of licensed psychologists is required by the State of California in order to receive a license for the independent practice of psychology. Independent Practice A licensed psychologist can diagnose and treat psychological and emotional problems and mental disorders. A psychologist can administer psychological tests and can conduct psychotherapy and counseling. Psychologists provide services to individuals, couples, families, children. Psychologists may refer their patients to other practitioners for related evaluations or treatments. They may act as consultants to assist other professionals. Psychologists may practice in clinics and hospitals and private offices.

What is a Psychologist?