Jordan Norman

Professor Nicole Anderson

Communications 1010

9 February 2017

Interview Project: Doctor Brad Lundahl

Once upon a time in high school, I took a psychology class. I did well, but at the time, I
never truly envisioned myself pursuing a career in the field. Yes, it was interesting, but back then
I was focused more on the visual arts. However, this semester has taken a different turn. I have
started seriously looking into changing my major from health science to psychology. This
assignment, in particular, gave me the opportunity to speak with multiple people in a more in-
depth fashion. It allowed me to get more insight into this field. One man, in particular, permitted
me to interview him and may have solidified my decision.

Doctor Brad Lundahl

Brad Lundahl, Ph.D., is a clinical therapist, researcher, professor, business owner, etc. He
attended Brigham Young University where he obtained his baccalaureate degree in family
sciences before being accepted to the University of Utah for his masters program. He graduated
from the University of Utah with his masters degree in social work in 1995 and went on to
complete his doctorate in clinical psychology from Northern Illinois University in 2004.

He is a published researcher with articles dating from 2003 to the present. His research
ranges from child socialization to domestic abuse prevention. One of his most recent publications
was an article he co-authored for the Journal of Interpersonal Violence titled Sexual Assault
Prevention Efforts in the U.S. Air Force: A Systematic Review and Content Analysis (Gedney et
al.) He also worked on a parent training study to assess the effectiveness of parent training
programs for treating disruptive behavior problems in children in 2006. (Lundahl, Risser, and
Lovejoy)

Most of the courses Dr. Lundahl instructs at the University of Utah are graduate level
classes for clinical social work. One that caught my attention is Motivational Interviewing.
Motivational interviewing is a counseling technique used to motivate a client to make the desired
change within themselves. It is a goal-oriented approach that centers on the person, not the
psychologist. Dr. Lundahl trained in the style under Dr. Bill Miller, one of its co-founders. In
2013, he published an article on the use of motivational interviewing in a medical care setting.
(Lundahl et al.)

Dr. Lundahl opened a small private practice in 2009 called Compass Counseling and
Consulting. They are based out of Millcreek, Utah and offer a variety of counseling services,
such as marriage counseling, parent training, and behavioral therapy for both individuals and
families. He takes the elements of social work and psychology and merges them to help his
clients reach the goals they set for themselves.

The Career

Psychology itself is not a particularly old science. When compared to astronomy or

biology which have been around for thousands of years, psychology is just a baby. Wilhelm
Wundt, who opened the first psychology laboratory in 1879, is considered the father of modern
psychology. He was a trained philosopher and biologist and decided to attempt to take the
questions from philosophy and answer them with the research methods of biology. He fostered
an entirely new way of perceiving the human condition.

Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on the diagnosis and
treatment of emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders. These could range from learning
disabilities to eating disorders and so much more. Clinical psychology is the attempt to
understand the problems and what influences them for better or worse. Psychologists search for
the answers through research and discussions with people suffering from various states of mind.

To practice as a clinical therapist, one must get an education. This education requirement
is a Doctorate of Philosophy in psychology, which focuses more on research, or a Doctor of
Psychology, or PsyD, which leans more to the clinical side. I am considering pursuing a PsyD to
work face-to-face with people who have chronic illnesses. On top of that, there are certifications
for any profession of this level, such as licensing, insurance credentialing, etc. You get to see
both of sides of the world of insurance. Not only do you need it to keep your business safe, but
you need credentials with different insurance companies. Otherwise, your clients are forced to
pay you solely out of their own pockets.
 As with any profession, a successful therapist needs to have excellent communication
skills and the ability to relate to his clients without unduly judging them. Speaking down to them
is probably a good way to lose their business, not to mention stagnate the progress of their
therapy. You need to be able to explain your thoughts on their situation eloquently and in such a
way that they do not mistake your meaning.

The average annual salary for a clinical psychologist is between $74,000-$84,000

according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that could vary for a private practice
owner. Only about 1/4th of psychologists go into business for themselves. Their hours are
usually the typical nine-to-five, but I have met some therapists and counselors that modify their
schedules with the needs of their clients.

Q & A Section

Dr. Lundahl is a very busy man, so unfortunately, we were unable to do the interview in
person. We corresponded over the phone and I typed his answers to my questions as quickly as I
could.

1. When did you discover you had an interest in psychology?

High school, I used to read self-help books to search for meaning. Human
interaction was intriguing.
2. Where did you go to school?
BYU for a bachelors in family sciences. Masters of social work from the
University of Utah. Masters and PhD in clinical psychology from Northern
Illinois University.
3. How long have you been doing clinical therapy?
Since 1995. I graduated with my masters degree and went directly into practice.
4. What was your psychology program like?
It was a scientist-practitioner model. A blend between the work of counseling and
then becoming a researcher. They used the Boulder Model. It was a cross between
clinical rotations and working closely with the research groups. It taught us both
research and clinical work.
5. What do you find is the most difficult part of your work?
Faculty politics. I also dont love administrative work. But you get used to them
when you teach and own your own business.
6. What do you feel is the most rewarding part of your work?
 I love the diversity. Being able to engage with a variety of people. Advising
students. The work I do is rewarding. Its meaningful. It has purpose. Its very
intellectually stimulating. Clinical work makes you think, How do you improve,
grow or develop. Its always expanding.
7. Do you feel you have any specific strengths that make the job easier?
I guess Im a natural optimist. It helps clients feel more comfortable. The ablility
to explain personal experience on a direct level. It helps that I like what I do. As
with any career, though, it depends on how important money is to you.
8. Any weaknesses that make it more difficult?
I sometimes have a hard time saying no, so I get really busy. The other side of that
coin is that I have lots of opportunities. I guess the question is How do you dial
in? What does it cost other aspects of your life?
9. What do you feel is the most beneficial aspect of clinical psychology?
To clients, pursuing and clarifying their life with support. The ability to get
coaching and feedback on what it is they want to do. Hopefully applying some of
the knowledge. For me its finding what they want and helping the client get
there.
10. I saw that youre a professor at the University of Utah. What kinds of classes do you
teach?
Graduate level classes. I focus on action packed research methods, and clinical
approaches. The courses are Introduction to Counseling Skills, Motivational
Interviewing, things like that.
11. Is teaching as rewarding as your clinical work?
Yes, definitely.
12. Is it more difficult?
Yes and no, difficulty depends on the subject. Teaching and clinical work are too
different to really compare.

13. Do you take part in research?

Yes.
14. What aspects of research do you enjoy most?
The topics are natively interesting to me. Human function. Why we do what we
do? You basically get credit for reading what intrigues you. Its frustrating but a
good kind of frustrating. You mostly focus on problem solving, writing and
research. I like that its challenging and frustrating. A good kind of challenge most
of the time.
 15. What aspects do you enjoy least?
I have tenure, so the pressure can be high and is sometimes unwanted.
16. Has the industry presented you with any challenges?
Academia is a unique situation. You just need to learn the rules. Running a
business is interesting. The demands on a small business. Im still learning with
all the changes in health care, dealing with insurance, etc. Thats probably the
biggest challenge.
17. Overall, are you happy with your career?
Yes, definitely.
18. Given the chance, is there anything you would have done differently?
Nothing. I maybe would have applied for graduate school a year earlier, but
nothing career wise.

Conclusion

After speaking to Brad, the conclusion I have come to is that psychology is the direction I
want to go. There are many different ways I can take it, but I think they call end in a private
practice that I can call my own. All my life I have searched for a path that felt right. For a long
time, I just drifted around like a leaf on the wind. However, psychology has spoken to me, and
the pros most certainly outweigh the cons. That is not to say that this career path will be an easy
one to follow. I am merely taking the first steps at the head of the trail.

Works Cited

Gedney, Christine R et al. Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts in the U.S. Air Force: A Systematic
Review and Content Analysis. Journal of interpersonal violence (2015): n. pag. Web.

Lundahl, Brad et al. Motivational Interviewing in Medical Care Settings: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Patient Education and Counseling
2013: 157168. Web.

Lundahl, Brad, Heather J. Risser, and M. Christine Lovejoy. A Meta-Analysis of Parent

Training: Moderators and Follow-up Effects. Clinical Psychology Review 2006: 86104.
Web.