About: Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW

Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW, is a clinical neuropsychologist with over 18 years of experience in mental health and career counseling. A University of Oregon graduate, he specializes in psychology and therapy careers, contributing to Pacific Behavioral Insights and speaking at the Northwest Clinical Forum.

Recent Posts by Dr. Julian Navarro, PhD, LCSW

Social Worker vs Psychologist: Career Comparison Guide

Social Worker vs Psychologist: Career Comparison Guide
Quick Answer Social workers (MSW, 2 years) focus on connecting clients with community resources and addressing environmental factors causing distress, earning a median of $61,330. Psychologists (doctorate, 5–7 years) treat mental health conditions through individual therapy and assessment, earning a median of $94,310. Social workers take a holistic, systems-based approach while psychologists focus on internal…
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What is a PsyD Degree? Programs, Careers & Salary 2025

What is a PsyD Degree? Programs, Careers & Salary 2025
Quick Answer A PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) is a doctoral degree emphasizing clinical practice and patient care over research. PsyD programs typically take 4-6 years, include extensive supervised clinical training, and prepare graduates for licensure as clinical psychologists with median salaries of $96,100 annually. [xyz_feat_school] Most people know psychologists have advanced training and a doctoral…
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What is a Behavioral Psychologist?

Quick Answer Behavioral psychologists study how environmental factors shape human behavior and use evidence-based techniques like operant and classical conditioning to help people change problematic patterns. They earn a median salary of $94,310 annually, require at least a master's degree (doctorate for clinical practice), and work in diverse settings from schools and hospitals to private…
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Essential Psychologist Skills: Complete Guide 2025

Quick Answer Psychologists need eight essential professional competencies: empathy, analytical intelligence, patience, insight, communication, curiosity, flexibility, and diligence. These skills develop through 5-7 years of doctoral training plus 1,500-4,000 hours of supervised experience (depending on state licensure requirements and specialization). Different psychology specializations emphasize different skill combinations, with clinical psychologists focusing on empathy and communication…
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Clinical Psychologist Salary 2025: How Much Do Clinical Psychologists Make?

Quick Answer Clinical psychologists earn a median annual salary of $96,100 as of May 2023 (latest available BLS data). Entry-level positions (10th-25th percentile) typically start at $48,820-$66,050, while experienced professionals in the top 10% nationally earn $168,870 or more. Salary varies significantly by location, specialization, work setting, and years of experience. If you're considering a…
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Psychologist vs Psychiatrist: Key Differences & Career Paths

Quick Answer The main difference between psychologists and psychiatrists is their medical training and prescriptive authority. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who complete medical school and can prescribe medication, while psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) focused exclusively on mental health and usually can't prescribe medication. Both can provide therapy, but…
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How to Set Professional Boundaries in Psychology: A Complete Guide for Therapists

Quick Answer Professional boundaries in psychology are ethical limits that define appropriate behavior between therapist and client. They protect both parties by limiting self-disclosure, avoiding dual relationships, maintaining confidentiality, and setting clear communication rules. Licensed psychologists must follow APA Ethics Code Section 3.05, which prohibits multiple relationships that could impair professional judgment or risk exploitation.…
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How Does Memory Work?

How Does Memory Work?
Quick Answer Memory works through three stages: encoding (capturing and processing information through your senses), storage (saving it in short-term or long-term memory), and retrieval (accessing stored information when needed). You can enhance your memory by getting quality sleep, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and focusing your attention on what you want…
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Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): Beyond the Myths

Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): Beyond the Myths

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder affecting an estimated 1-6% of the population, characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Despite appearing confident, people with NPD often have fragile self-esteem that's easily threatened by criticism. There is no known cure, but long-term specialized therapy can help manage symptoms.

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Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: Psychology Career Success

Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: Psychology Career Success
Quick Answer A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and effort, while a fixed mindset assumes these qualities are unchangeable. Psychology students with growth mindsets demonstrate higher academic achievement, better resilience in clinical training, and greater career advancement. Research shows developing a growth mindset significantly improves educational…
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