Don't Limit Yourself To Just Counseling Suggests Philadelphia Counselor
Life Coach Dawn C. Reid is a marriage and relationship coach. She also provides expertise in career coaching, and is an adjunct professor in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. She works with students in seeking careers in psychology, and coaches students on achieving better study skills, and gives lectures in Community Psychology, Intro to Psychology, and Social Cognition.
Where did you get your degree?
"I earned my undergraduate degree from New York Institute of Technology and graduate degree from Walden University, with a focus on psychology and social behavior. I am currently working on my doctoral studies, earning my Ph.D. in behavioral science from Northcentral University."
Can you describe your duties as a psychologist?
"I am not a psychologist, per se, but my duties overlap. Currently, I am working on my dissertation and am involved with research pertaining to social cognition. Also, I help people identify the root cause of their issues or barriers and strategize with them to develop the best way of handling, adapting, or accepting their situation. Additionally, I believe in working from the inside out, meaning I help 'un-focus' on cognitive processes (perception, emotional attachments, and habits) so that the client can focus on the real issue and the solution. My techniques and theories are based on positive psychology, coaching psychology, and Buddhist psychology theories and research. As far as my title, I am a life coach, and I specialize in marriage and relationship coaching. Additionally, I am also ordained as an Interfaith officiant and I sometimes provide pre-marriage coaching, bridal/wedding coaching for clients getting married."
How has education prepared you for your career in psychology and social sciences?
"My education has prepared me to deal with people from a social cognitive perspective. Based on empirical studies, established theories, and understanding the current thoughts about behavior and psychosocial development, my education has given me the ideal foundation to understand behavior, especially social behavior. I am better able to identify evolutionary, cognitive, social, cultural, or the biological basis for individual and group behavior. My education has strongly influenced how I see people and the world so that I can best help my clients as a life coach."
What advice would you give someone who is pursuing a career in psychology?
"Psychology is not about an abnormality or dysfunction. For someone interested in a career in psychology, you are not relegated to being a counselor or psychotherapist. There is an opportunity to work in research or how pharmacology to understand the impact of drugs on behavior. One can work in government or public policy to address socioeconomic issues that plague underserved communities, or in education to develop innovative programs that increase learning or address unique learners. Likewise, you can work in the legal industry as a forensic psychologist, or in sports as a sports coach or psychologists. So, my advice is don't limit yourself to just counseling because almost all industries have a need to address mental health, behavior, and group dynamics from a psychological viewpoint."
