Brooklyn Zoo: The Education of a Psychotherapist

If you’re struggling to combat work-related frustrations, you’ll find solace in Darcy Lockman’s new book Brooklyn Zoo. In her poignant memoir, Lockman recalls the year she spent working in Brooklyn at Kings County Hospital, whose infamous G Building provided a deeply challenging and dark work environment. After studying four years to become a clinical psychologist, Lockman trained for a year at this institution that once housed serial killer David Berkowitz (a.k.a. Son of Sam). At Kings County Hospital she shifted between departments; she collaborated with forensic psychologists to analyze suspects, she worked in the psych ER, and finally she liaised as a psychiatric consultant in the inpatient ward. She was presented with disturbing and complex cases that unsurprisingly prompted her to question her choice of career paths. While Lockman’s experience was unique, most of us can identify with feelings of uncertainty in our work lives.

Lockman received her Ph.D. at the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University and now works as a clinical psychologist in private practice in New York City. She lives in Queens.

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