Ep. 133: Dr. Isha Metzger on Establishing Expectations and Boundaries in Mentoring and Balancing Academic & Community Work

Dr. Isha Metzger

Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology, University of South Carolina

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Working at the intersection of clinical practice, consulting, and academia. Dr. Isha Metzger wears many hats. She is a licensed clinical psychologist, Assistant Professor at Georgia State University, and Director of The EMPOWER Lab, which looks to help communities heal from trauma and deal with anti-Black racism. In this episode, we hear about Dr. Metzger's journey and what sparked her interest in clinical psychology. She shares the role that mentors have played in her success and gives insights into how she has become a mentor herself. Although this is a coveted relationship, it requires work to set boundaries and talk through expectations to get the most out of it. Our conversation also touches on securing funding for your studies, why Dr. Metzger decided to work in such a transdisciplinary way as well as insights into the work EMPOWER Lab does. Dr. Metzger leaves us with some words of encouragement for Black women who are thinking about pursuing doctoral studies. Tune in to hear it all!

Connect with Dr. Isha Metzger on LinkedIn and her website. You can also find out more about The EMPOWER Lab and check out her podcast, Black and Empowered.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Get to know Dr. Metzger, who she is, what she likes to do, and her professional interests.

• What Dr. Metzger's doctorate was in and what her dissertation project was about.

• How Dr. Metzger's research questions have become more solidified over time.

• The way Dr. Metzger's research interests have evolved.

• What sparked Dr. Metzger's interest in clinical psychology and why she chose to pursue a career in academia.

• The importance of having reminders of why your work matters along your journey.

• The role that mentors have played in Dr. Metzger's journey and success.

• Dr. Metzger's advice on how to cultivate a relationship with a mentor.

• When you have a mentor relationship, you have to set expectations and outline boundaries.

• The work Dr. Metzger put in to ensure she had a fully-funded education starting at undergrad.

• How Dr. Metzger decided to pursue two postdocs and the work she did during them.

• Why Dr. Metzger decided to become licensed and have an academic career.

• Acknowledging that balance is hard, but imbalance will always catch up to you.

• Some of the ways Dr. Metzger balances all the work that she does.

• The fulfillment Dr. Metzger feels marrying clinical practice, consulting, and academia.

• Insights into the multifaceted work that EMPOWER Lab does.

• Dr. Metzger's advice for Black women who are looking to pursue their doctoral studies.

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