Beato, Zayra Nicolette P.

Hofileña, Elisha Mae F.

Mabale, Joyce Danielle H.

Clinical Psychology – Activity 1

For this activity, we were instructed to conduct an interview with someone who is either a
psychologist, guidance counselor, or a psychometrician regarding their activities as a mental
health professional. We chose Mrs. Noralle Gutierrez-Collado as our interviewee and conducted
an online chat interview using messenger app as the medium.

A brief background of Mrs. Noralle Gutierrez-Collado: she is currently a freelance motivational

speaker and a Resident Psychologist of DepEd Cabuyao City Schools. She is also a part time
professor at Citi Global College.

As for her past job experiences in connection with the field of mental health:
- Former Resident Psychologist of 101.5 FM Big Radio
- Former guidance director of City College of Calamba (2008-2017)
- Former guidance counselor of Pamantasan ng Cabuyao (2004-2008)
- Former guidance counselor of LCBA (1991-2003)

The interviewers asked Mrs. Noralle Gutierrez-Collado a series of questions that is inclined with
her undertaking of being a mental health professional. Here are the transcript containing the
set of questions that were asked to the interviewee including her response to the said
questions.

1. Why did you decide to pursue a career in Psychology?

- During my first year in college, I decided to shift from Nursing to Psychology because of the
height requirement. But taking Psychology during those days was just an accident. My friends
told me to be with them that’s why I shifted to Psychology without knowing what Psychology is.
2. Was it always your ambition to work in a field that helps people?
- Yes, during my second year in college, my professor in Philosophy of Man encouraged us to
join a community service. I worked as a volunteer with Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity in
Manila for 5 months, I served both children and adult people in Tondo Manila and Bulacan. This
is the first time I experienced something that made me realize the importance of free service
for the people.
3. What are the preparations that you take in order to become a Psychologist?
- I accomplished all the requirements needed to comply with RPsy qualifications. My long-term
service as a Guidance Counselor in different schools and experiences in the field of Psychology
are also considered as one of the plus factors.
4. What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of your job?
- I always love all of the aspects that came with the work since this is my passion. I like dealing
with difficult people, suicide cases, giving insight to hopeless people, and other related matters.
5. What do you believe the most important characteristics and skills that a Psychologist must
have?
- Every Psychologist should possess genuine love for helping, tons of patience, empathy, clear
understanding of the problem, objective in dealing with clients, understand the nature of
confidentiality, follow the code of ethics, set boundaries, must be well verse with the different
types of Psychotherapy.
6. How do you balance your life as a Psychologist and also a parent?
- Work-life balance is important, I have a small office in my home, and I always prepare my
schedule and limit the number of clients that I would see per day since my job is focused on
multi-tasking. I am a freelance motivational speaker, I practice Psychology, and a part time
professor. I give myself a ‘me time’ and meditate before and after my work in order to help me
have a clear mind. After office hours, I talk to my friends and then ensure some bonding
moments with my husband and son. I make sure to never talk about the problems of my clients
to other people. Every morning, my husband and I have a morning routine whereas we would
use walking as a form of exercise in order to start a meaningful day and have coffee at night.
7. How do you handle an interaction with a difficult client?
- I just allow the client to talk and express their pent-up emotion. I make sure to never interrupt
them and listen to their own difficulties. There are sometimes where I experience talking with
toxic people but then again, it is a part of my job, and it is understandable since I have been
doing this for 31 years.
8. Tell me about an instance when you went above and beyond your normal responsibilities as
a Psychologist.
- I am very careful with my job so I always make sure that I will not go beyond my limitations.
9. Has the pandemic boosted the number of clients you see each day?
- Yes, This pandemic crisis really affects the mental health of people. This is why there is really a
significant increase of cases suffering from anxiety, depression, and PTSD in all walks of life.
10. What is your advice for students who are aspiring to become a Psychologists in the near
future?
- Just follow your dream, always take ahold of your passion, and know your purpose in life.
Never give up, be mentally tough, and committed in all your tasks.

In this activity, the interviewers concluded a few things such as:

First, having passion in this line of work is a must. Every day we will meet different kinds of
clients who each have different problems and personalities. We might find it difficult to go
through our job if we do not really have the passion with helping other people. Second, being a
Psychologist is not an easy feat. There would be tons of hurdles that we need to pass through
before we finally become a Psychologist. The reason for this is that Psychologist handles
people, we are the professionals that are assigned to help them despite how much of a
hopeless case their mental state may be. Thus, we cannot do poorly about the situation and
just make ado of it, we need to make sure that we have the right knowledge and understanding
of the things we must and must not do in order to play our part in our field properly.