Psychology 347: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Fall 2024
Writing Assignment: Professional Interview & Reflection Paper
The goal of this assignment is to get a deeper understanding of the clinical psychology field
through direct engagement with a professional currently working in mental health. You will learn
about real-world experiences, challenges, and insights from a clinician’s perspective, which will
supplement what we review in class.
Instructions:
1. Interview Preparation
 Identify and reach out to a professional who is currently working in the mental health
field with clients (e.g., psychologist, counselor, social worker, therapist) and request an
interview. This can be conducted in person, virtually, or via phone.
 Prepare 8-10 thoughtful questions in advance. These questions should aim to
understand the professional’s role, day-to-day responsibilities, the challenges they face,
and their perspectives on the field of mental health. You are not limited to only these
questions, but you should have some questions prepared to guide the interview.
2. Interview
 Conduct a 30–60-minute interview. Focus on engaging in a meaningful conversation
rather than a strict Q&A format.
 Take detailed notes during the interview or, with permission, record the conversation for
reference.
3. Reflection Paper (3-4 pages):
 Introduction: Provide a brief background of the professional you interviewed (e.g., job
title, years in the field, area of specialization). This section should be brief – if this makes
up the majority of your paper, you are not on the right track
 Summary of Interview: Summarize key takeaways from the interview, such as the most
impactful advice or insights shared by the professional. DO NOT provide a question and
answer style transcript, but instead, highlight points that resonated with you.
 Personal Reflection: Reflect on how the conversation has influenced your understanding
of clinical psychology. Consider addressing:
− How the professional’s experiences align with or differ from your expectations of
the field.
− Insights you gained about the challenges or rewards of working in mental health.
− How this interview has impacted your career aspirations or thoughts on entering
the field.
− Conclusion: Summarize your overall learning from the assignment and any steps
you plan to take next in exploring your interest in clinical psychology.
You will be graded on:
 Quality of interview questions and depth of engagement.
 Clarity and organization of the reflection paper.
 Thoughtfulness and depth of personal reflection.
 Writing quality (grammar, spelling, coherence).
Psychology 347: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
Fall 2024
The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font, 1-inch
margins. Be sure to properly cite any external sources used and include a reference page if
applicable. DUE DECEMBER 6TH AT 11:59PM.