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(Article Originally Published in Kiplinger Magazine 1957)

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There are understandable reasons why the field of psychology is invaded
by charlatans who prey on sick minds and emotions. The profession of
psychology is so young that its work is only dimly understood by the
public. Though the profession has been growing fast, with the number of
psychologists doubling in the last seven years, qualified practitioners are
still scarce. Only recently have a few states began to protect the public
with laws controlling the practice of psychology, and the laws that are on
the books are hard to enforce.

It is easy for a faker to pick up high-flown words from books, add mumbo-
jumbo of his own and sound more expert than the experts. Finally, and
maybe most important, people with problems want pat answers.
Legitimate psychology works slowly and cautiously. The psycho-quacks
offer immediate, black and white diagnoses and promise sure cures
quickly. Incidentally, the phonies don't often pose as psychiatrists because
these must be MD.'s under the control of medical-practice laws.
Psychologists hold academic but not medical degrees.

So it is in this fertile ground that the charlatans flourish, clustering in big

cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Though they list themselves
loosely as "psychologists," the phonies have also adopted or invented a
large number of scientific-sounding specialties. There are among the
phonies’ people who pose as graphologists, scientologists,
astrolotherapists, numerologists, theosophists, hypnotists, meta-
physicians, dianetics auditors, etc.

Many patronize diploma mills that for a price will confer almost any
degree you want. One school issues authentic-looking diplomas in
psychology for $16. Others ask much high prices but no more effort.
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Before taking a harder look at the quacks and how they work, learn first
about the men and women they are trying to imitate.

Legitimate Psychology: How it Works

The nation’s 16,200 psychologists are highly trained scientists in an

exacting profession. Their college degrees range from bachelor of arts in
psychology to doctor of philosophy in psychology. About half hold
doctorates. To be accepted into the American Psychological Association
(which includes most qualified people); a psychologist must have done his
studying at an accredited college. In addition, at least a one year
internship is required.

Psychology has been divided into some 18 divisions, representing the

different specialties of its members. The field discussed here is clinical
psychology, which deals with individual, their problems and their
emotional adjustments. In this specialty (and in two allied ones), the APA
confers diplomate status through its American Board of Examiners in
Professional Psychology. To qualify, a psychologist must be a Ph.D., have
five years of experience and pass rigorous examinations by the board.

Most clinical psychologists work in institutions and mental health clinics as

part of teams that include psychiatrists and social workers and a few
hundred practice privately.

The APA recommends that only diplomates in clinical psychology practice

by themselves and that they maintain collaboration with medical doctors.
This means that a psychologist who hangs out his shingle should have at
least 12 years of training for his job. Yet the psycho-quacks with whom

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these qualified men and women must compete, can enter a school,
graduate and start practicing in a matter of days.

What do the legitimate clinical psychologists do? In brief, they are

qualified to help an individual work out personal, emotional, educational,
social and personality problems as well as marital, family and sexual
difficulties. They deal with the school and behavior problems of children
and give vocational guidance and aptitude testing.

Diagnosis of maladjustment can be made through psychological testing

and through interviewing. Help comes through many hours
psychotherapeutic counseling, the aim of why is to help the client
understand himself and his problems. Some psychologists have special
training in psychoanalysis and use this technique.

Eleven states have in the past ten years passed statutes regulating
psychologists, and some 20 others are now considering legislation. In
Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, anyone offering
psychological services for a fee must be licensed by a state examining
board. Seven other states - Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota,
New York, Virginia and Washington have non-mandatory certification
laws. Under these an applicant who wishes to use a particular state
designation (as "certified psychologist, Virginia") must pass board
requirements. Some of the states insist upon a master's degree from an
accredited school, and others demand a doctor's degree. From one to five
years' clinical experience is required in addition to the degree.

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Now, The Phony Version

If you live in a fairly large city, turn to the listings in the telephone book's
yellow pages under "psychologists." Standing out among simple one-line
listings in this generally reliable book you will probably find a hodgepodge
of beguiling ads with names followed by impressive sounding degrees you
never heard of by references to ologies and isms you can't define.

Six Signs of A Psycho-Quack

1. He advertises and boasts of his qualifications and abilities.

2. He talks about his other clients, even using their names.

3. He may make a physical examination. A legitimate man will send you to

an M.D. for a checkup and won't prescribe even so much as an aspirin.

4. He gives a quick diagnosis of your troubles. A real psychologist steers

clear of labels, even after long examination.

5. He talks excessively. The psychologist spends most of his time listening.

6. He promises a cure - sometimes even stipulating the amount of time or

money required.

The ads may read something like this: "Don't worry. Begin to live. See your
psychologist." Or they may offer "sympathetic help" in "strict confidence"
Or promise "processing" that will lead to "re-evaluation of the
subconscious and reactive mind for better survival."

In interpreting the listings, bear in mind that the APA frowns on any
advertising other than a listing of the psychologist's name and degrees
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and the types of services he is prepared to offer. Remember, too, that
legitimate psychologists "counsel," but never "advise," "process" or
"solve." And they would think it unnecessary to promise sympathy and
strict confidence, since both are part of their professional canons.

In the yellow pages you will see plenty of offbeat degrees tossed around.
Although Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) is the only legitimate doctoral
degree for a psychologist, you will find such things as Ps.D. ("doctor of
psychology"), Ms.D. ( "doctor of metaphysics" ), M.S.S.S. (heaven knows
what) and L.L.B. (to be confused, apparently, with LL.B - bachelor of laws).

The degree of Ph.D is used in ways that cause suspicion, too. An East Coast
operator a few years ago used the degrees M.A. and D.D. after his name
and taught yoga. As styles changed, however, he quietly became a Ph.D.
and offered to counsel all comers on "all problems."

Another danger in the yellow pages is the welter of scientific sounding

specialists. Just remember that psychologists practice only the recognized
science in which they are trained. Very few use hypnotism or hypnotic
suggestion, and at this stage in the use of that psychological tool, the
safest thing to do is to steer clear of any hypnotherapists outside the
control of a hospital or clinic.

The only psychologists practicing alone that you can be absolutely sure of
by looking in the yellow pages, then, are those that have a Ph.D. after
their names and a notation that they are diplomates (sometimes
abbreviated to DPL) under the American Board of Examiners in
professional Psychology (often cut to ABEPP).

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What The Phonies Are Like

A Conservative view of whet the psycho-quacks are like as compared with

qualified psychologists is given in a study of twelve of them who practiced
in Los Angeles.

Of the twelve, three had never had any university work at all; three had
bachelor's degrees from accredited universities but in history, fine arts
and business administration, not psychology; and the other six had
degrees from non-accredited and highly suspect institutions.

Five had no postgraduate clinical training. The seven who had

"internships" had taken them at nonstandard religious and scientific
agencies.

When interviewed, half of the twelve Said they felt no need for further
training at all. One ambitious man said he wished he had a degree in
business administration.

Only four of the twelve practiced in office buildings of the type almost all
qualified psychologists use. Six were in small private buildings, usually
converted homes, and the others were in their own homes or a hotel But
they were not fly-by-nights. On the average they had practiced in Los
Angeles for nine years. Most of them did well enough, too, to devote full
time to their practice, although a couple augmented their incomes with
lectures.

Typically, they were lone wolves, practicing alone and staying clear of
others in the field. Typically, too. they reported they had no desire for
interchanging ideas with colleagues. None, of course belonged to any

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recognized local or national association. Almost none read any regular
professional journal.

Although qualified psychologists get most of their clients through M.D's

these said most of theirs came from referrals by former or current clients.
They treated all ages of people and had few restrictions on the type of
mental difficulty they would treat. Five even said they would handle
psychotics.

Also, as might be expected, the twelve unqualified practitioners "cured"

their patients in less time and with visits at less frequent intervals than
professional men require. About half said 6 months of once-a-week
treatments did the trick. Legitimate psychologists usually see their clients
twice a week for 12 to 18 months.

Do the phonies ever help anyone? Strangely enough, they probably do

occasionally. It is as a prominent psychologist once said, "The darndest
things help people."

How To Find A Good Psychologist

Among reputable men, you have two choices - those in private practices
and those in psychological clinics. At clinics, usually in hospitals. schools or
family-service centers, you get the benefit of a whole team of experts for
maximum safety, and generally the cost is lower. A warmer, closer
relationship can often be built up, however, outside clinics. If you do wish
to go to a man in private practice, pick a diplomate in clinical psychology.

To find a clinic, ask at the psychology department of the nearest

university, at your local public health department or at the social welfare

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office. Or consult the directory of your state psychological association.
National directories of qualified people can also be found at libraries.

Finally, once again, don't depend on the telephone company's yellow

pages. As one psychologist complained: "We still need to find a way to
move most of the listings for P for psychologist to Q for quack."

END OF ARTICLE

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