Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Lafayette Degree & Major(s): Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Graduate Degree: PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Virginia
Location: Washington, DC
Title: Clinical Psychologist & Business Owner
Employer: Renée Gallo Psychological Services (self-employed, private practice)
Describe what your employer/organization does: I am the sole owner and practitioner of Renée Gallo Psychological Services which provides evidence-based outpatient therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in treating anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related disorders. Treatment primarily includes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Please provide a brief overview of your role: Most of my time is spent in direct contact with clients during 50-minute therapy sessions. I stay in close contact with parents of child and teen clients and speak with clients’ psychiatrists and/or school personnel as necessary. Working in solo practice, I also make sure to consult regularly with other therapists and maintain learning through trainings and continuing education. Administrative work includes maintaining documentation and note-taking as well as running the practice from a business standpoint.
What gets you excited to go to work each day? My clients! They are the ones doing the really hard work to overcome challenges so I see it as my job to show up for them. Each day I want to make sure that I provide validation and instill confidence and hope.
What keeps you up at night as you think about the opportunities (or challenges) related to your work? I’m always thinking about how I can further my education/training to be the best clinician I can be. There is always more to learn – whether that’s diving deeper into my specialty area or thinking about expanding. On hard days or weeks I can also get caught up in thinking about how else I can serve a particular client or what I might be missing in trying to help them. I am also always brainstorming about how my practice can provide something unique.
What key strengths are necessary to be successful in entering this career field? Commitment and determination – it’s a long journey! Strong empathy for others and a willingness to learn more about yourself and grow personally.
Is education beyond a Lafayette degree required to pursue this path? Yes, to be a clinical psychologist you have to complete a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology. These are very competitive programs so most people work for a few years (often times in a research setting) before applying.
How did your Lafayette experience equip you for success in your career field, especially as an early career professional? I see it all as links on a chain. My major in psychology led to more in depth research opportunities at Lafayette, building a strong resume for getting a post-grad job at the National Institutes of Health. The two-year experience at NIH, along with my Lafayette background, paved the way to being accepted into a PhD program.
What specific experiences during your time at Lafayette made the greatest impact on your professional path? Definitely my direct engagement in research (shout out to the Lafayette Kids Lab) leading to being an EXCEL scholar (during the year and over one summer) and completing an honors thesis. Another very important component was the relationship I developed with Professor Lauren Myers because of that. We still communicate and see each other today!
As it relates to career exploration and development, what is one thing that you know now that you wish you could go back in time and tell your student self? I remember feeling very conflicted about “taking time off” after graduating and not going right into graduate school (knowing that was the only path to the career I wanted). I would want to go back and tell myself that it’s not a race, slow down, it’s okay. You’ll get there and you’ll still be living your life along the way. I loved my time in DC getting to work a 9-5 before the marathon that is graduate school.
What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing your career field? It’s okay to go into this process without knowing exactly what you want to do. Yes, you want a rough idea but don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out. The 5+ years in graduate school will help you do that. Also, there are so many varied opportunities available when you are a clinical psychologist. It really does open so many doors and if you want those options then this is a good track for you.
What strategies, tools, or other efforts do you utilize to find “balance” or reduce your career-related stress? Confiding in other fellow psychologists doing similar work – even better when they are friends! When you are your own boss in private practice you have to make and set boundaries that really work for you. One that I have is to make sure I take enough time off fully disconnected away from work.
How do you enjoy spending your free time when not at work? The little things, spending time with my husband (also a Lafayette grad) and 2-year-old daughter — getting outside, exploring DC, visiting friends and family, traveling. I’m also a foodie and love cooking or baking at home as well as going out to eat.
What was your favorite spot on Lafayette’s campus when you were a student? I loved sitting in the comfy chairs in the front of Skillman against the glass wall that looked out over the quad. Especially at the start of spring when everyone was just happy to be outside.
Would you like to connect with Dr. Gallo to learn more about her career path?
Dr. Gallo is happy to connect with students via email. If you’d like to connect with Dr. Gallo by email, please contact your Gateway Career Counselor for details.
