Women Inspiring Women: An Interview with Kristin Finkbeiner

Welcome to “Women Inspiring Women,” where we explore the diverse experiences of remarkable women making their mark across various fields. In this edition, we speak with Kristin Finkbeiner, the Deputy Programme Director of the Psychology Programme at Griffith College Dublin. With a doctorate in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences, Kristin has combined her academic expertise with hands-on experience as a psychotherapist. Her work spans research in human attention and perception, alongside a dedicated practice in supporting mental wellbeing.

1. Can you tell us about your journey, what led you to where you are now, and what initially sparked your interest in psychology?

I initially became interested in psychology in probably the most cliché way one becomes interested in psychology - since I was young, I was always told “Kristin, you are a good listener”. I can remember conversations on the school bus, nodding my head, listening and giving advice… peers telling their friends to come to me if they were confused or upset, and I’d sort them out!? Interestingly, looking back at these initial seeds planted in my mind, they weren’t absorbed as evidence of the career path I should follow (spoiler: I DID end up becoming a therapist who spends a lot of time listening), but that experience did lead me to lots of reflective thinking : “What does it mean to be a good listener? Why isn’t everyone a good listener? Why is this considered a strength? Is it always a good thing to listen more than you speak?”?

This was one of the first times where I considered that we can stretch into areas that aren’t natural strengths or talents - we can learn to become both active listeners and dynamic speakers as we age, and that flexibility of human behaviour can be fascinating. So, I set out on the path to becoming a psychologist as soon as I graduated high school, completed my BS(hons) in Psychology in the States, immediately accepted a PhD offer in New Zealand upon graduation, and have been exploring human attention, perception and wellbeing through research and practice ever since! Nowadays I blend my love of psychology with the practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy (I went back for a Master’s degree) to support both the science and the art of the human condition - the skills that support wellbeing in someone’s life and the theory to back it up! ????

2. As Deputy Programme Director of the Psychology Programme at Griffith College Dublin, what do you find most rewarding about shaping the next generation of psychologists?

I think it's super exciting that we are in a place now where we can physically bring to life the theories that psychologists have pondered for decades through neuropsychology - for instance, we can clearly see through brain scans that older adults can develop new neural pathways through skill building and cognitive training, and we have direct evidence of the link between gut health and mental health. And this is only scratching the surface of what we can begin to link to psychological theory thanks to modern science.?

Apart from technological advancement, I believe that the new generation is experiencing a dramatic shift to socialisation and what it means to belong within a digital landscape. Nowadays, documenting our lives online is often given greater social reward than actually experiencing our lives. As a result, there is a disembodiment that occurs when our identities are projected into virtual spaces, curated to reveal only what we are willing to share. There is a big sense of loneliness and detachment experienced in this era as a result of our new social identities and expectations.?

The next generation of psychologists will have much more insight around what it means to be an evolving human in the digital age - and by comparison, what connecting back to our human nature may look like as our environments become more urban and digitised.?

3. Mental health has gained much more attention in recent years, but there’s still stigma surrounding it. What do you think are the key steps society needs to take to normalise mental health care and make it more accessible?

Because mental health is often not as visually obvious as markers of physical health (e.g. a flu, a broken leg), there will always be a bit of hesitation around the disclosure of psychological well-being. However, thanks to the impact of COVID once again, isolation and stress were more openly discussed in the public discourse, which normalised our need for social connection and made having these vulnerable conversations around loneliness a little easier.?

One of the most influential shifts that can happen to stigma is when a prominent voice role models what it means to be authentic - we have seen this happen to public figures like Simone Biles, Selena Gomez and many others. When we begin to see more political leaders being transparent about their mental health experiences (because, of COURSE, they experience prolonged stress that impacts their lives!!), along with the steps they take to look after themselves, we can hope to see a wider culture shift towards normalising preventative and responsive mental health care.?

4. As someone with a strong academic and practical background, what advice would you give to aspiring psychologists or psychotherapists who are just starting their careers?

The best advice I ever got as a budding psychologist was: “the things that interest you will benefit others”. For instance, if you love creative expression, maybe it is worth pursuing continuing education in expressive arts therapy as a psychotherapist... And if you are not interested in the medical field, then maybe fighting for a research grant to look at the impacts of brain activity in Dementia patients isn't worth your time (right now) in the grand scheme of things. I think because of the rigour of the psychology and counselling fields (rightly so), there can be a sense of “not-enoughness” that develops for young psychologists, especially when their terms of accreditation means that they have to continuously be taking new CPD courses or engaging in regular research to be relevant and cutting-edge. This communicates that “you need more knowledge to be a safe, trustworthy source of psychological information”, which is ethically important, AND it means the goal post continues to get further and further away, resulting in the imposter syndrome.?

Young psychologists can hugely benefit from a big dose of self-compassion, and self validation, recognising that they will never know all there is to know about psychology, and that is okay. My advice would be to pursue CPDs and research avenues that genuinely enrich you or complement your natural interests, because that will provide you with more curiosity and energy for the great work you do, rather than burning you out.

5. In addition to your professional work, what personal practices or activities do you engage in to maintain your own mental wellbeing?

I have found singing hugely beneficial for my mental health. I have loved to sing since I was a little girl, but during my teenage years I became super self-conscious of my voice to the point where I stopped singing around others, which I know is super normal around those ambiguous years.? There is something about the challenge of making myself big with my voice that brings me a real sense of catharsis and release, like facing a fear head on. I sing with a gospel choir and it is amazing to create beautiful harmonies with diverse people. Plus, I love the ability to laugh at myself when I hit the wrong note - which happens all the time! I like the challenge of making my voice big and giving myself permission to take up space - something that does not come naturally to my personality type. Improvisation helps with this as well!?

6. Can you tell us about someone whose life or work has inspired you?

I find the work of Esther Perel very inspirational. As a second-generation immigrant with parents who had been through immense trauma, she learned to find the value in laughter and play, and positive relationships from such a young age. Her contribution to the world of psychology and psychotherapy has been immense - especially in enhancing our understanding of romantic relationships and all of the spoken and unspoken experiences that lead to our connection and disconnection with our partners. I love her take on polarity in relationships - rather than just claiming “opposites attract” through attachment dynamics, she presents the idea that a “complete” relationship holds the polarity for a full spectrum to be expressed in the relationship: the organised and the messy expressions, the safety/security and the erotic energies, the partner that stands for “we” and the partner that stands for “independence” in the relationship. We actually need to be exposed to - and appreciate -? all of the polarities to be robust humans in the world. Her work has greatly influenced my understanding of clinical and personal relationships.?

7. If you could design an ideal mental health support system or initiative in Ireland, what would it look like, and how would it address current gaps in care?

Oooh, big question! I certainly do not have the perfect plan hashed out in my mind, but I do see many of the mental health organisations around Ireland are prioritising young people which I think is hugely important. I would love to see more services dedicated to supporting Migrants, particularly women, as there continues to be a growing population filled with expats and displaced individuals all around the country. Being an expat myself, I know the distinct challenges of loneliness, self-esteem, and isolation when you are first settling into a new community. I would love to see more free (and widely marketed) community services for migrants, including access to low-cost counselling and peer networks - the latter being the most important for building a healthy support system and buffering against some of the stressors that make moving to a new country a challenge.?

8. Another hypothetical question! If you could swap lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be and why?

I’ve always loved Dr. Seuss books because of the fantastical drawings and characters he creates - my heart has a soft spot for the Cat in the Hat. I can remember my pounding heart as a kid reading this book, feeling the pressure the children must have felt knowing their parents were right outside while the house was a mess and they didn’t have enough time to clean! Then in pops the Cat, full of gadgets and playfulness and with a sense of eternal peace. There is something so nonchalant about his attitude that I would love to emulate! More peace, more power is forever my life’s motto.

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