We know first-hand the opinions of Judith Rodríguez, Rocío Reyes and Mar Esquitino, psychologists at Atenea Mallorca Centro de Psicología , considered one of the best psychology clinics in Mallorca, about the traits that a good psychologist must have and the challenges he or she faces in everyday life. More than 20 years of experience working with hundreds of patients guarantee these words, which can be a stimulus for future professionals.

Motivation to engage in psychotherapy

Right from the beginning, Judith takes up in one word the great reason that led them to study psychology, and in which they all agree: “vocation”. Each one justifies her choice in a different way, but in them one can observe this need to understand human behaviour and to be a participant in productive collaboration on a personal level .

“Choosing to study psychology for me is vocational. I feel full and happy when I am able to lead and help others,” says Judith. Rocio adds: “Even in 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 have had skills since their time as students.

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

In his words, happiness is distilled from his profession, and also respect from his day-to-day work. Judith and Rocio agree that “what we like most about this profession is the opportunity to interact continuously with other people and learn new things every day, to be able to see their progress and to look for alternatives to their difficulties together. To embark on a journey together and see the fruits is enriching both on a professional and personal level”.

“The good psychologist must 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: “The good psychologist is one who does not lack professionalism, who does not allow himself to be influenced by his own beliefs and ideals, who knows and knows where his limits are and guides people towards the path that will make them grow and feel fulfilled . A good psychologist must adapt to the needs of the patients” states Judith, who does not hesitate when she says that “It is very important to know our limits and to know how to refer a person to the right professional who can help him or her along the way”.

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

Mar, on this subject, says that “A psychologist is the same as a waiter or an advertising delivery man. Everyone has their past, with its positive and negative experiences, has their good days and bad days and has their expectations for the future. The important thing is that a psychologist knows himself and knows where to draw the line. “In the end, a good psychologist is a figure who assumes his or her profession with generosity and humility, taking into account that he or she must foster his or her therapeutic skills on a daily basis with the people who come to work with him or her” as Rocio concludes.

Tips for Psychology Students

The degree in Psychology is always in high demand, and every year thousands of students join the course, with many doubts. From their professional experience, Judith, Mar and Rocio encourage future (and current) students about this wonderful profession. “I would tell them to accept this profession as a challenge they should learn from and enjoy, it is a wonderful opportunity to continue growing” explains Rocio.

Judith, on the other hand, confronts future students who “are formed only by training or by being an area where a lot of money is made. That will not make them good professionals or useful to their patients. In the end, they will feel that their work is meaningless and will become monotonous and boring. For her, the specialization in the world of sexology was “at the beginning, by chance” but, from then on “a great curiosity was awakened 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 daily basis makes them aware of the doubts or reticence expressed by patients in their consultation, and they dedicate a few words and advice to them directly.

“Sometimes the hardest thing for a person is to ask for help, to recognize that they have a problem. Struggling to change, working to improve… are not easy things to do , it is laborious and often not very rewarding at first. The important thing is to keep clear the objective to be achieved, 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 end your discomfort or concern. We psychology professionals have studied and trained ourselves to make this path faster and less hard,” says Judith, about the barrier that some people have to go to a professional.

The stigma of going to the psychologist is a recurring theme, but Mar takes charge of demystifying it when she comments that “fortunately, the figure of the psychologist is becoming more and more normal, because more people are seeing him as a positive resource. Asking, accepting help, asking for advice, learning tools… Everything is positive if it leads you or your loved ones to be better.” He 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 particular situation, or because of what they will say if they find out that I…, or because of what they will say if they find out that my child… when all we are looking for is to ask for advice from someone who can help us”. On this point they all agree unanimously.

Mar, specialized in child psychology, exposes a scenario that occurs frequently and that helps to exemplify the capacity of a professional to help . “Some children do not have the tools to satisfactorily face the society in which we live; boys and girls who, within their innocence or uncertainty, have not known how to respond as expected to their daily life (family, friends, school, responsibilities, rights and duties). That is where we can be. How many adults, with their education in family values, with their training
academic, with their work achievements, with their family structure created… they are not happy or simply do not know how to manage an unexpected, unlearned or unwanted situation…”

He also adds: ” Children are a mirror of society, but they are not yet ready to put on the mask and make it look like everything is going well. 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’s feeling 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 on the door by a teenager because he is not allowed to go out with his friends, is the same as the feeling of an adult when he was planning to go to the beach with his partner and, all of a sudden, his partner tells him that they have to go to his mother’s house to eat. Life is full of situations that we have to learn to deal with in the best possible way, in the healthiest way for ourselves and with more respect for others. It is our job to help others find that way.

And, speaking of this relationship between patient and professional, Judith concludes: “If you’ve been working with a professional for a long time and you don’t feel that there are advances, you shouldn’t hesitate to tell him or her. This allows the professional to work on another path or way, which allows the goals set in therapy to be achieved. If, even so, you do not feel comfortable, change your professional. The important thing is you and your needs “. These words are the structural basis of the mission of Atenea Mallorca Centro de Psicología, the place where Judith Rodríguez, Rocío Reyes and Mar Esquitino practice as psychologists, and we thank them for their time to participate in this interview.