As a school psychologist, Erin Merydith deals with a dizzying range of issues, from typical dating spats to more serious troubles such as substance abuse and other mental health issues.

"The problems are diverse, so it's challenging and rewarding at the same time," said the 44-year-old Henrietta resident, who works at Brighton High School. "Some days you go home and feel like everything's great, and other days you go home extremely exhausted, physically and emotionally."

According to the New York Department of Labor, employment opportunities for clinical, counseling and school psychologists are expected to grow by 7.9 percent between 2010 and 2020 in the Finger Lakes region, with 40 annual openings.

Merydith has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, a master's and educational specialist degree in school psychology from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in counseling and school psychology from the University of Buffalo. She's licensed as a psychologist and certified as a school psychologist by New York state, and nationally certified by the National Association of School Psychologists.

"I've always loved talking to children," she said. "Growing up, I took every chance I could get to watch any neighborhood kids."

Aside from individual sessions, Merydith leads several counseling groups, including one for freshman girls; teaches coping skills to students in an alternative program using cognitive behavior therapy; conducts psychological assessments for students who need special-education services; consults regularly with parents, teachers and staff; and chairs a committee that annually reviews individualized education programs.

When a day gets thrown off course by a crisis, Merydith, also an adjunct instructor in the psychology department at Rochester Institute of Technology, has to figure out quickly how to make up for lost time. She said she's able to accomplish so much in large part because Brighton High School has an extremely collaborative counseling department and a high level of parent involvement.

"You have to be very flexible and organized to do this job," she said, "and an open mind and compassion are absolutely essential."

Flanigan is a freelance writer covering the Rochester area.

Psychologists

The job: Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and their environments.

The pay: The median annual wage of psychologists was $69,280 in May 2012.

The prospects: Employment of clinical, counseling and school psychologists is expected to grow by 7.9 percent in the Finger Lakes region between 2010 and 2020, with 40 annual openings.

The preparation: Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree or specialist degree in psychology, a master's degree is sufficient for some positions. Practicing psychologists also need a license or certification.

Sources: New York state Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor