Ah...the Doc Project. Sometimes referred to (affectionately?) as the DP. I'm just beginning to form a relationship with my DP and I would describe the connection as tenuous at best. During the second year of the PsyD program, we all take a course on Research Methods. Many of my fellow students talked about being in a constant state of anxiety throughout the two hours class, overwhelmed at the idea of coming up with an idea, much less actually producing...something.

Today marks the end of week three at my internship. The staff was immediately welcoming, my supervisors are spectacular, and I love the other interns. I've already met with several patients. My site is a clinic that treats people with trauma histories. Painfully sad stories come with our profession; I am continually affected by the things that my patient's have endured and by how resilient they can be. In this profession, it can be very difficult to "leave work at the office." I try my best, but two weeks ago a patient entered my dreams - that I can't control.

There are a lot of people who come to MSPP shortly after graduating from college - maybe spending a year or two working. And then there are people who come back after working for 5, 10, 20 years. Or more. I fall into the latter category.

Shortly after I decided to attend MSPP and pursue a PsyD, I was offered these words of advice from a newly licensed psychologist: "fake it 'till you make it." I have thought about this off and on, and tend to interpret the saying as "act like a psychologist until you feel like one."

It is always sad to see summer come to an end; to say goodbye to lazy beach days, exciting travel adventures, reading for pleasure, running at daybreak, etc. But returning to MSPP feels a bit like returning home. In the two years that I have been here, I have grown accustomed to the art on the walls, the chatter in the library, the friendly faces that accompany me to class.