For this Community Connections project, I interviewed Dr. Marlene Moretti, a Professor of Psychology at Simon Fraser University and a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1). She teaches, researches, and does committee work as a Professor of Psychology, and also supervises graduate students in their research. As a Canada Research Chair, she directs and presents research internationally, publishes papers in books and journals, and trains mental health workers who specialize in adolescents and their families. Her research focuses on the betterment of adolescents’ development and mental health and promoting healthy, effective parenting with teens.
I chose to interview Dr. Moretti because I have been considering pursuing psychology for a while – specifically in developmental psychology and aiding children and adolescents – which is Dr. Moretti’s area of expertise. While reading through the different programs and research projects she led, I felt very inspired by what she had accomplished. I knew that her advice and insights into this field of work would be extremely valuable to me, and would help me decide if this career path would be a good match.
Questions and Responses:
1. Can you explain your role and responsibilities with your current position?
“As a Professor of Psychology at SFU I am responsible for teaching, research and committee work. In my case, I teach graduate students in in clinical psychology in the areas of ethics and practice as well as developmental psychopathology. I also supervise graduate students in their completion of their MA and PhD research. As a Canada Research Chair I direct research at provincial, national and international levels, through research funding grants which require applications and review. I present research findings at local, national and international conferences and I publish papers in journals and books. Finally, I train mental health workers who focus on adolescents and their families.“
2. What obstacles have you faced to get you where you are today?
“Becoming a psychologist is a long process which requires a minimum of 5 years of post-graduate (after your Hons. BA) training. Training combines research and clinical practice and is demanding. Competing for faculty position also requires significant investments in research.”
3. What advice would you pass on to someone interested in what you are doing?
“Be intentional and choose wisely. If you wish to practice therapy you can become a licensed clinical counsellor or social worker. These professions also require post-graduate training, but only to the MA level. But if you are truly committed to becoming a psychologist, work hard as an undergraduate and get involved in research labs at the university you attend.”
4. Why are you passionate about your job?
“My work involves developing effective interventions to help parents and teens, training mental health practitioners to deliver these interventions, and evaluating their impacts around the world. It is a great privilege to get to know others around the world who are dedicated to promoting mental health, and to learn about difficult cultures in contexts in which this work takes place. I am always learning in the work that I do. Working with smart, dedicated students is also a wonderful experience.”
5. What accomplishment regarding your career are you most proud of?
“I am most proud when I hear families tell us that they have benefitted from the programs we helped to shape. I am also extremely proud of the achievements of the students who I work with.”
6. What are some important skills to have in being a researcher/professor?
“Curiosity, a passion for learning, tolerance of uncertainty, and unremitting drive.”
     Photo by Maridav from Adobe Stock                                  Â
What I learned from the interview
Although I’ve known that you must complete ~10 years of post-secondary education to become a psychiatrist, which has been a bit discouraging for me, it never really occurred to me that depending on the specific fields/aspects of psychology that interest me, I could cut down on extra years of post-secondary education if I aim for more specific jobs that could better suit my interests. Thanks to Dr. Moretti’s advice, I’ve started to think about future careers more purposefully. I am
extremely grateful that she was willing to take time out of her
busy schedule to respond to my questions, and I am forever thankful to her.
Dr. Marlene Moretti’s Work
Connect Attachment Program
SFU Adolescent Health Lab
