Career Mirror -- by Mark Sproxton

The room quickly fills with laughter. A child, perched at table covered with crayons and paper, giggles as the adult in the room jumps, twists, and turns explaining directions for the next activity. To the child, the procedure is all play, for the child psychologist, the task opens a window to understanding.

"When you work with a child, even during an assessment, you make it a game," explained Dr. Karen Serrett, a chartered psychologist with the Calgary Learning Centre. "They think it's a game, but you're getting information out of it."

While the good doctor admits the work isn't always fun and games, she thrives on the variety offered by working for this non-profit agency. On any given day her duties could include visiting a client and parents, running an early-intervention workshop, working with kids in a social skills development group, helping with a child attention assessment, or visiting another like-minded agency. Each visit may mean changing from professional dress, to casual clothes so she can sit on the floor and participate in crafts.

In addition to assessing children with attention deficit, or learning disorders, child psychologists plan and help implement the methods of treatment. "It's not a nine to five job and there is no typical day," Serrett said. "You try to see clients when it's convenient for them, and that could be early morning, or sometime at night." This too has rewards. "Even though there is a lot of work to get through school and get chartered and keep up with the education, I am my own boss. As long as I do my duties, I can set my schedule even though I don't have my own private practice. That is very rewarding once you get through the schooling."

During post-secondary, Serrett knew child psychology fit her career aspirations. Not only did she enjoy children, and her psychology courses, but taking part in some related research work as an undergraduate and having a son helped cement her decision. She went on to receive her PhD and then completed the written and oral components to achieve chartered status. With that designation comes significant influence.

"(The job) comes with a lot of responsibility because the things you say or do can have a lot of impact," Serrett said. "You can't blow people off." That in itself can make the work more stressful. "You have to enjoy being around people, and be able to stay calm. If you see a child in crisis, sometimes that anger gets directed to you. You can't get engaged in that anger. With children, you get attached to them and it's hard to see them go back into a bad environment. It can be hard on you if you can't see the changes." And then there is the report writing. Every contact with every client has to be carefully documented in order to keep records current for any future consultation.

But the success stories make the work worthwhile to Serrett. "I like meeting lots of kids. You feel you're intervening where you can make a difference because you also work with the parents, and can see the results." Fortunately for many, people like Serrett are skilled enough to make beneficial changes from playing games at work.