Article archive / October 1, 2010
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 2. Source pages: 9, 10.
The Business of Helping
Dr. Katherine Robison School Psychologist
Publisher’s note: This column is about psychologists who, despite the recession and the double SS tax, are following a spark of entrepreneurship, and making a difference in peoples’ lives.
Personable, genuine and articulate, Dr. Kathy Robison seems the perfect psychologist. “But,” she told the Times, “I’m different than many psychologists. I worked for Shell Oil in New Orleans for many years as a geophysicist.”
In her previous career path–all math, science and technology–she eventually found that something was missing. “My love for child psychology started when I had kids,” she said. She explained that she and her husband now laugh because years ago she would often comment, “My dream job would be a child psychologist.”
“Psychology is the perfect mix of science and people,” Kathy said. As a geophysicist she honed her critical thinking and analytical talents. “I really love solving problems. It’s a gift I have–I can put things together.” But she said, “I always knew I wanted to work with kids.”
Kathy’s husband is a geologist and the dual career couple allowed Kathy the opportunity to return to school. She attended UNO for undergraduate hours and Tulane’s APA accredited school psychology doctoral program, graduating in 2002. She found that the scientific approach required for excellence in school psychology suited her natural style and intellectual curiosity.
Kathy completed her internship in the LSU Human Development System (Jefferson Parish), which was APA accredited. Then she went on to the Mercy Family Center where she had the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team, uniquely talented clinicians, and with diverse client populations. This experience allowed her to further develop her knowledge and she said, “To learn the fine distinctions between different diagnostic conditions.”
While at Mercy Family she also had the opportunity to learn a little bit about business aspects, insurance companies, CPT codes, economic issues, and some exposure to general administration of an office.
Recently Kathy has launched her own private practice in school psychology where she specializes in comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations and consulting with parents and teachers (Functional Behavioral Assessment and Behavioral Intervention Plans). She also provides individual and family therapy primarily for youngsters with ADHD, Asperger’s and Anxiety disorders.
And like many other Americans, she is finding that running a small business is different, but very satisfying. “I’m spending more time doing psychology,” she said. “At Mercy I was the senior psychologist and had a fair amount of administrative duties.”
The greater sense of autonomy is a plus for her, and with it comes awareness that she can choose and direct the case in a positive and satisfying way. “Now I’m seeing more cases where I’m feeling that I can really fix the problem.”
She explained, “I am often the first mental health professional to see the child, and can give the parents and child a sense of relief that I can help them. It is very rewarding.”
Kathy also enjoys the hours. “I like the flexibility over my own schedule. I can do a lot of testing one week, then write all the reports the next. If I want to see someone on a Saturday I can, since my office isn’t far from our home.”
Some services require a lot of flexibility on her part. She provides a “teacher training program” which is a 12-week, hands-on “coaching” program to assist the teacher in classroom management skills, focusing on positive verbal reinforcement. “I love this work because if I can change one teacher I affect every student she teaches.” The hands-on work is very important because “…research shows in-services are relatively ineffective for changing teacher behavior,” Kathy noted.
Since she is still getting started, it is too soon to hire a secretary. So, Kathy feels the pinch of having all the clerical and office management. “At Mercy this aspect was different. I realize that I was somewhat sheltered from that by the secretarial staff.”
Kathy also is finding the unpredictability of the income to be a bit strange as she transitions from a salaried position to writing her own paychecks. She admits that it may take her a while to get used to that difference.
Regardless of the hiccups in the transition, she enjoys her new business environment. Referrals are coming and she has developed a strong reputation with those familiar with her work. Colleagues help her with the details–she mentioned that Dr. Ron Cambias helped her find her billing company and Dr. Lynn Adams gave her intake and HIPAA forms. But, Kathy said, “I miss having people to collaborate with. I’m not a loner. I like being part of a group.” So she may be fine-tuning things someday as she continues to style her work life to match her dreams.
Dr. Katherine A. Robison’s office is in Metairie at 3350 Ridgelake Drive. She can be contacted at 504.913.2688 or krobisonphd@cox.net.
Dr. Kathy Robison, licensed school psycho- logist and one time geo- physicist, at her office in Metairie.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.