The Four Types of Psychologist:

Ineffective, Satisfactory, Gifted and Gone Beyond

William Van Gordon1,2, Edo Shonin1,2, Mark D. Griffiths2

Awake to Wisdom Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness Research, Nottingham, UK

Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, UK

*Corresponding author. Psychology Department, Chaucer Building, Nottingham

Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, UK, NG1 4BU. Email:
william@awaketowisdom.co.uk

Conflicts of Interest
The authors have no competing interests to declare.

The Four Types of Psychologist:

Ineffective, Satisfactory, Gifted and Gone Beyond
Most introductory books on psychology inform readers that there are many
different types of psychologist such as clinical psychologists, forensic
psychologists, developmental psychologists, social psychologists, cognitive
psychologist, health psychologists, occupational psychologists, sports
psychologists, counselling psychologists, neuropsychologists and research
psychologists. Clearly there are many other types of psychologist in addition to the
list above, and there are also numerous sub-types of psychologist that specialise in
a specific area within one of the aforementioned domains.
In this article, we deviate from the traditional model of categorising
psychologists according to work setting and/or study perspective, and suggest a
new schema that focusses on the underlying qualities and competencies of the
psychologist. Our approach is not intended to supplant the aforementioned
traditional categorisations. Rather, it is solely intended as food for thought by
suggesting a method of categorisation that emphasises the core skills and values
that are common to the job description of all psychologists (i.e., irrespective of
whether they work in clinical, occupational, or developmental settings, or adhere to
a specific psychological perspective, etc.). Consequently, we have based our
schema on the assumption that regardless of the particular setting or perspective in
which a psychologist specialises, there is an expectation that all psychologists at
least to a small degree have an understanding of the scientific workings of the
human mind and behaviour that exceeds that of the average lay person. Our
method of categorisation is also founded on the assumption that, based on this
greater degree of insight into the mind, all psychologists have a duty to guide
others toward a better understanding of their own minds and behaviour, and
where appropriate, toward improved levels of psychological wellbeing. Our food
for thought model comprises four categories of psychologist.
1. Ineffective Psychologists: The first class of psychologist are those that actually
do more harm than good. There are various reasons why a psychologist might fall
into this category, but in general it is due to shortfalls in either their attitude and/or
ability. Therefore, it is possible that a psychologist in this category may sincerely
wish to help a person, but they happen to be ineffective in this respect (i.e., they
have the right attitude but lack the ability). Alternatively, a psychologist belonging
to this category might be capable of treating people in a manner that helps them to
grow as human beings, but they are uninterested in doing so (i.e., they have the
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necessary ability but the wrong attitude). One explanation of why a psychologist
might have the required ability but inappropriate attitude is because the primary
purpose for them performing their role is to accrue wealth or reputation.
2. Satisfactory Psychologists: Unlike the first class of psychologist, the second
class of psychologist do more good than harm. However, although they create and
spread more positivity than negativity, they are not what one might call natural in
the manner in which they embody and perform the role of a psychologist. In
general, when this category of psychologist takes it upon themselves to better the
psychological wellbeing of another human being, they are relying heavily on the
various theories, models and practice guidelines that they have studied and trained
in. These theories and practice techniques are normally evidence-based, and as
such, they are generally of assistance to the other person. However, the fact that
this second type of psychologist is heavily reliant upon processes and theories,
means that there will always be a degree of disconnect between them and the
individual they are interacting with. To a certain extent, this disconnect can be
useful because it forms a protective barrier that the psychologist can work behind.
However, it can also create an obstacle that prevents the core of the
psychologists being connecting and communicating with the core of the other
persons being.
Put simply, it is rare for this type of psychologist that a meaningful humanto-human interaction takes place, and as such, the person they are attempting to
help invariably feels that they are the subject of a process or service. Consequently,
an individual in the hands of this category of psychologist is unlikely to feel truly
nourished or renewed. In summary, satisfactory psychologists do not embody and live
the practice of psychology, and they are invariably unskilled at drawing upon and
integrating their life experience into their work.
3. Gifted Psychologists: Individuals belonging to the third class of psychologist
are much more natural at performing their role compared with those in
the satisfactory category. In fact, one could probably go as far as to say that an
individual belonging to this category of psychologist is gifted. They have an indepth knowledge of all of the relevant psychological theories and techniques, but
they understand that these models and processes are only tools. In fact, more often
than not, this category of psychologist develops their own models and
psychological techniques and they use these in their work and interactions with
others. However, when they interact with other people, it is not entirely accurate to
state that they are applying a theory or model. Rather, they are directly connecting
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with the individual on the human-to-human level and they allow their intuition
and instinct to guide how the dialogue and relationship evolves. The way in which
they do this is still aligned with proven methods and practices, but they are not
constrained by these methods and are spontaneous in the manner in which they
help others.
Gifted psychologists have an in-depth understanding of their own mind, and as
such, they understand well the mind and behaviours of others. When a patient,
client, or another individual meets with a psychologist of this category, they
immediately feel reassured due to knowing that they are in capable hands. This
type of psychologist is confident, positive and energetic, and they inspire and
invigorate people. They take the responsibility of being a psychologist and human
being seriously and they are, by all accounts, impressive members of society.
4. Psychologists that have Gone Beyond: The fourth type of psychologist is an
individual that has transcended all conventional criteria for evaluating the
competency of a psychologist. Consequently, accurately determining whether a
psychologist falls into this category requires skill, and it is easy to misinterpret their
behaviour as evidence of them meeting the inclusion criteria for one of the three
aforementioned outlined classifications. The rules that govern the decisions and
strategies employed by ineffective, satisfactory, and gifted psychologists no longer apply
here. Psychologists that have Gone Beyond are individuals that have studied and
investigated their own mind and behaviour to such an extent, they are no longer
limited by it. They understand fully that, much like a spiders web that spreads out
in multiple directions, they are deeply connected to all other life forms and
phenomena in the universe. Their insight and wide-ranging perspective means that
they have a much more expansive selection of tools, techniques, and materials at
their disposition. Psychologists that have Gone Beyond know and make full use of the
fact that each of their thoughts, words and actions will reverberate throughout
space and time, and will eventually come to touch all other beings. In this manner,
they understand that they are a sculptor, and they use the world and its inhabitants
as their raw material.
Psychologists that have Gone Beyond are truly remarkable beings everyone they
meet becomes their client, but in the majority of instances, individuals are
unaware of the fact they are being helped. Irrespective of who a psychologist of
this category meets or interacts with (e.g., a supermarket cashier, neighbour, work
colleague, partner, or even a person wishing them harm), they provide the
individual with exactly what they need in order to help them evolve as a human
being. Except for a small number of individuals that also want to
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become Psychologists that have Gone Beyond (and who are searching for a suitable
mentor), the work of psychologists belonging to this category often goes
unnoticed. However, they are not in any way demotivated by this and in the
majority of instances, maintaining a low profile allows them to perform their role
more effectively.